Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Joe Cole are back to reprise their roles along with a slate of new additions, including “Warrior,” and “Boy Kills World” actor Andrew Koji!
The wait is over, people. It’s been nearly two months since Netflix acquired the hit Tong crime drama series, Warrior. As of today, Friday, you can now stream all three current seasons of the show to your delight. More importantly, the goal is to help guarantee that the former Cinemax and Max streaming drama has a future with more seasons. If blurbs from the cast and past reports are any hint, that means streaming the series as often as possible, and spreading the word to get those numbers up to let Netflix know this show deserves a continuation. Filled with complex characters, and brimming with crackling dialogue, powerful messaging and ballistic action and stunts, Warrior serves as the brainchild of screen legend Bruce Lee, once a concept birthed fifty years ago and revived by Shannon Lee and co-creators Justin Lin and Jonathan Tropper. Set in the late 1800s, central to […]
Netflix has reportedly acquired martial arts drama Warrior for streaming in February 2024. The news comes by way of Deadline’s Rosy Cordero who also notes the show’s original platform, Max, has no plans to venture into a fourth season, and that all the actors have been released from their contracts. The show premiered in 2019 as a Cinemax Original, the latest evolution of a concept originally birthed by Bruce Lee, toplining actor Andrew Koji, who leads the series drama from Shannon Lee, Jonathan Tropper, and Justin Lin. Set in the late 1800s, the now three-season show chronicles the journey of Ah Sahm (Koji), a martial arts who quests to San Francisco where he finds himself wedged between the warring Tongs, and racial tumult within the mechanisms of the city’s political establishment, all while trying to reunite with his sister. Warrior moved to streamer Max for its third season launching back […]
50 years ago, Bruce Lee left a legacy for the whole world. His philosophies, his films and his views on martial arts. Before “Kung Fu” was conceived, he pitched “Warrior” and the execs said the audience is not ready fora Chinese lead. Asians in media have dealt with playing the stereotypes and relegated to just jokes or offensive caricatures and still to this day. The world is still opening up and accepting films like “Infernal Affairs”, “Oldboy” and “Parasite.” Finally making “Crazy Rich Asians”, “Joyride”, “Gook”, “Minari” and winning best film for “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once”. Asian representation… no representation does matter, our stories and our people have something to say and it’s time to be heard. It was a long 3 years, and here we are, the season 3 finale of “Warrior”. Our cold open starts with the first loose end, Mai Ling confronting Eliza for having her arrested. […]
When episode 8 ended, Lai infiltrated Strickland’s household. After dispatching Strickland’s guard Shaw, Lai faces off with the man himself in a swordfight. The aftermath has Nellie bringing the defeated Lai back to Ah Toy. Broken and fueled with rage, Nellie stands by Ah Toy, preparing to face off with Strickland themselves. Ah Sahm sees Yan Mi in private, showing her the new counterfeit bills that Young Jun’s men made. Fearful, he urges her to leave San Francisco which she pleads with him to follow. Young Jun learns that Father Jun’s condition is getting worse. The two have their words together as Father Jun urges Young Jun do what’s right, sharing their last moment as father and son. Leary learns about Strickland’s working practices, discovering that their deal is no longer valid. In retaliation, Leary has the Donahues destroy Strickland’s tracks. Strickland responds by having men fight Leary. With Atwood […]
Weddings have different customs and traditions. In Chinese traditions, there is the tea ceremony and games are played for the groom to see the bride. These games range from the groom singing in humiliation, paying everyone with money and doing a ridiculous dance. Having your groomsmen beat you up with bo staffs and your best man fight you is something I’ve not heard of. The episode is written by Wang Chao himself: Hoon Lee and features no cold open. The Hop Wei, Ah Toy, and Chao attend Mai Ling and Li Yong’s wedding while Buckley is officially sworn in as mayor. The Long Zii elders speak with Li Yong to keep an eye out on Mai Ling, making him question what actually happened to Long Zii himself. Leary plans to get the Donahues out of jail but cannot avoid being arrested, the person he turns to is O’Hara. O’Hara goes […]
After bringing Father Jun back to Chinatown, he suffers from PTSD. Spouting his rivalry with Long Zii and giving Young Jun deeper worry among the deal with Mai Ling. Father Jun goes missing and Young Jun has the Hop Wei search for him, only to be returned by Li Yong. Young Jun sees this and what Ah Sahm has been doing as a sense of him losing trust. The Donahue brothers are caught by the police, arresting them for robbing a Chinese grocery store and witnessed by Zimo. Zimo and two others find another Irishman near Chinatown, beating him down as a message. Leary is called to bail out the Donahues but Atwood does not budge. Learning the way Atwood dispenses justice shakes him, putting the perspective into the Irish who threaten to enter Chinatown. Leary decides to settle it his way. Leary enters Chinatown alone to find Ah Sahm. […]
—NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED— A piece of history that happened after 1870’s, which the show is set in. The Chinese has ported into Germany during this time and have built their community. With WWII happening, the Chinese was unaffected unless their ideologies were brought to light. After Pearl Harbour, the Gestapo arrested Chinese Germans and Chinese nationals, putting them into concentration camps which led to torture, assault and slavery. I haven’t brought a piece of history to these reviews since Season 2, Episode 9. This episode had me searching for anything that could have brought some historical background but this is what I only found. Why did I bring up this type of history? Also in honor of Bruce Lee’s 50th Anniversary, it was good to see his daughter Shannon, finally having a role in the show, she helped put together. Bringing her father’s vision on the screen and […]
The Hop Wei try to test out their new bills out with Happy Jack, successfully settling their debt with him, giving the Hop Wei the financial advantage they need. However Young Jun starts using the bills upon their own people in Chinatown with the intent of it spreading into the rest of the city to gain back more. Ah Sahm notices this, questioning Young Jun’s motives on leading the Hop Wei. Leading to the start of the dissolution as Ah Sahm starts forming a bond with Yan Mi while Hong starts falling for a Cabaret singer named Marcel. Lee agrees to Mosley’s offer, joining the Secret Service. The two show counterfeit bills to O’Hara and his men, and they plan on visiting Chao. Lee tries to get answers but Chao brushes him and Mosley off. Mai Ling is invited to a function held by Eliza Pendleton, putting her in the […]
On December 4th, 2020, it was the last time we saw Warrior grace our TV screens and we wanted more. Though Cinemax ceased all its original programming and the show was left in limbo. In January 2021, HBO Max picked up both seasons and streamed it for a new audience, even campaigning their support of the representation the series presents. In April 2021, Shannon Lee, the cast and crew announced they are back. With excitement and a victorious smile from the cast, crew and fans around the world, “Warrior” is coming back for season 3. In July 2022 to October 2022, filming started and completed with cast of old and new uniting to bring us what we have been waiting for. Let’s see if I can do this again. “Exactly the wrong time to get proud, now is the time to adapt or die.” – Wang Chao It’s been a […]
The first three episodes of Warrior finally arrived on Thursday to kick off the hotly anticipated season three. To relish in the occasion, streaming platform Max is partnering with a trio of multicultural artists to produce and promote an interactive experience using murals currently on display in three major cities: New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Each mural features an iconic image of the show’s original innovator, Bruce Lee, with select cast members on hand on Thursday for each unveiling. “Seeing Warrior return for our 3rd season during this 50th anniversary year for my father is just the ultimate celebration of his legacy.” Said Shannon Lee, Executive Producer on Max’s Warrior and president of the Bruce Lee Foundation. “I couldn’t be more proud of our show, our cast, our crew, and the impact our show continues to have and the entertainment it continues to serve up and celebrating through […]
Back in March I attempted a lookback series of articles revisiting the hit Tong series drama, Warrior. The theme was Unsettled Scores, and while I never got around to finishing this mini column, the official series trailer is now here and clearly our mains have some axes to grind since season two. In the wake of the race riots that upended Chinatown in season two, Mai Ling uses her government connections to consolidate power, while Ah Sahm and the Hop Wei must find new ways to survive. June 29 can’t come fast enough. Boy oh boy!
![WAR_301_072022_DB_0148_r[2]](https://filmcombatsyndicate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/WAR_301_072022_DB_0148_r5B25D-1024x684-260x150.jpg "WAR_301_072022_DB_0148_r[2]")
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hitz International (@hitzinternational) I’m only leaving this here because I’m excited as all hell for the June 29 premiere of the third season of Warrior on Max. I also rarely share any behind-the-scenes stuff, and so given how long and hard fought this new season was to see going as efforted by the fans a few years ago and with the premiere just weeks away, I’m simply stoked. The teaser is already online which you can view here. Otherwise, check out Andrew Koji and Joe Taslim in a new Instagram post above rehearsing their long-awaited reunion in the martial arena come this summer.
In the wake of the race riots that upended Chinatown in season two, Mai Ling uses her government connections to consolidate power, while Ah Sahm and the Hop Wei must find new ways to survive. I actually started a little recap series about Warrior a month or so ago and wanted to continue but I ultimately got a bit overloaded with tasks and other work. The good news is that Season 3 now has a teaser ahead of two episode premiere on June 29, ripe with footage hinting at a third-round bout between Andrew Koji and Joe Taslim, as well as some returning and new faces in the mix, Olivia Cheng, Dean Jagger, Hoon Lee and Mark Dacascos to name a few. Check it out below, and sub to Max ahead of its May 23 launch! Lead image: David Bloomer/Max
WarnerMedia is officially announcing the casting additions of actors Mark Dacascos (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum) and Chelsea Muirhead (Spare Parts) as series regulars for HBO Max martial arts action crime drama, Warrior. Both actors join a cast of new and returning actors for the upcoming ten-episode third season, led once more by series star Andrew Koji (Paramount Pictures’ Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, Sony Picutures’ upcoming Bullet Train). Set during the violent and bloody Tong Wars of the late 19th century in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Warrior stars Koji as Ah Sahm, a Foshan martial artist whose covert arrival in search of his missing sister forces him to tread carefully between rival gangs, corrupt politicians, and an amenable police force. At the end of season two, shocking twists and stark revelations unfold in the city’s fractured backdrop, upended by racial unrest between the Chinese and the Irish, while Ah […]
Robert Schwentke’s Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins may be giving the iconic Hasbro property a bit of a face-lift for this particular feature film installment, but there’s no question the certain level of excitement there is for the current campaign. Fans will be sure to get a glimpse of what’s to come when the Paramount Pictures release shows out for its Comic Con@Home presentation on July 21. In the meantime, check out the newest official trailer and behind-the-scenes featurette, both which dive much more deeper into the lore that now places title star Henry Golding front and center, along with Andrew Koji, Samara Weaving, Peter Mensah, Iko Uwais, Ursula Corbero, Takehiro Hira and Haruka Abe. Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins stars Henry Golding as Snake Eyes, a tenacious loner who is welcomed into an ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage after saving the life of their heir apparent. Upon arrival […]
Just in time for anyone tuning into MTV on Sunday night, the first official teaser trailer arrived for Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins. The press launch also includes a behind-the-scenes featurette with headlining cast Henry Golding and Andrew Koji who star as the iconic famed Hasbro rivaling duo, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins stars Henry Golding as Snake Eyes, a tenacious loner who is welcomed into an ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage after saving the life of their heir apparent. Upon arrival in Japan, the Arashikage teach Snake Eyes the ways of the ninja warrior while also providing something he’s been longing for: a home. But, when secrets from his past are revealed, Snake Eyes’ honor and allegiance will be tested – even if that means losing the trust of those closest to him. Based on the iconic G.I. Joe character, Snake Eyes: G.I. […]
Excited for Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins yet after Thursday’s first look reveal? If not, take a gander at the first poster for the new Hasbro film adaptation starring Henry Golding, debuting a first in Hasbro history for an original tale about the agile maverick ninja warrior. Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins stars Henry Golding as Snake Eyes, a tenacious loner who is welcomed into an ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage after saving the life of their heir apparent. Upon arrival in Japan, the Arashikage teach Snake Eyes the ways of the ninja warrior while also providing something he’s been longing for: a home. But, when secrets from his past are revealed, Snake Eyes’ honor and allegiance will be tested – even if that means losing the trust of those closest to him. Based on the iconic G.I. Joe character, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins also stars Andrew Koji […]
Trust is a hard thing to come by. You trust your family, you trust your friends, hell you trust the people at McDonald’s not to spit in your burger. This episode explores the theme of trust and the characters who experience it. Episode 15 opens with Mai Ling discussing with Li Young about how her endeavors will benefit Chinatown’s future. Li Young brings up the tournament from Season 1 and how she hasn’t been able to come to terms with Ah Sahm. Mai Ling states she has not forgiven herself for the position she put them in. Penny surveys the Steel Mill’s damage from Leary’s attack, Jacob brings to her attention the dead Hop Wei guards and the Opium stash. Ah Sahm arrives, seeing the damage and meets with Penny. She tells him that she found out about the Opium and it was a mistake hiring him. Knowing what he […]
Episode 9 starts with Leary negotiating with Byron on hiring his men for the railway contract while Li Young and Ah Sahm prepare for their match. Penny is informed by Jacob about the match, prompting her to go. At this time, O’Hara and Lee notice the streets of Chinatown are quieter than usual, finding that the community is gathering to spectate the match. Ah Sahm and Young Jun have a moment while Li Young questions Mai Ling on the probability of only one of them walking away. The Foon Hai, Ah Toy, Long Zi and the Hop Wei all gather as O’Hara and Lee join with the other Chinatown officers to spectate. Ah Sahm and Li Young step onto the mat, paying their respects to each other as Wang Chao explains the rules to O’Hara. Ah Sahm manages to gain the upperhand throughout the first part of the match, catching […]