iko uwais

HEADSHOT Sells To Multiple Territories Worldwide

If there was ever a screening I wish I could have attended, it’s the Mo’ Bros’s Midnight Madness premiere at TIFF a few weekends ago of the new movie, Headshot. Thankfully our own Alex Chung managed a trip to review it for us and you can click here in case you missed it and are curious about what the film has to offer. As such, the film is still circulating in festivals, and to great acclaim this week with a victory over at L’Etrange where it now shares The Grand Nouveax Genre Award with another title, Gabrielle Mainetti’s They Call Me Jeeg Robot. The film is also slated for screenings at Fantastic Fest starting next week and Mayhem in the U.K. next month along with line-ups at Sitges and Busan. As for all else, folks with proximity issues regarding festivals will still be able to catch the film upon its […]

BEYOND SKYLINE Sees Earth In An Alien Sea Of Blue In The Latest Poster

Lee B. Golden III

Yes, we’re still without footage of director Liam O’Donnell’s forthcoming action sci-fi sequel, Beyond Skyline, as much as many of us have hoped for at least a teaser by now. That said, a new teaser poster designed by artist Derek Winslow is being circulated via Twitter for the film which occurs in the same time line as its 2011 predecessor, Skyline, directed by Colin and Craig Strause. The new film sees Purge trilogy co-star Frank Grillo as a tough detective who sets out on a rescue mission to save his son trapped aboard an alien warcraft. Also starring is a hodge podge of actors and actress that include Indonesian action stars Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian along, actresses Bojana Novakovic, Pamelyn Chee, Valentine Payen and Betty Gabriel, and actors Jonny Weston, Callan Mulvey, Jack Chausse, and Kevin O’Donnell. Release information is also still pending but you can check out the […]

Take A Gander At The Midnight Madness Premiere Of HEADSHOT With The Cast And Crew!

Lee B. Golden III

For some like myself, the weekend was really nothing more than that. For others, however, particularly for folks attending TIFF’s Midnight Madness line-up world premiere of the new movie, Headshot, the past seventy-two hours have been nothing short of bustling. Reviews (such as ours) now making the rounds are showing of a large voice of support for the film directed by Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel and starring Iko Uwais as an amnesiac forced to face his violent past and protect his future. That story joins him with Chelsea Islan, Julie Estelle and Sunny Pang, all whom took to Toronto over the weekend to hype the film ahead of its Friday night world premiere, and thankfully, there’s some video to share from the eventful evening courtesy of journalist Robert A. Mitchell who documents a small batch of Q&A’s with the cast, a 22-minute session with the cast and audience, and […]

TIFF 2016: Iko ‘Raids’ Audience Appeal In Mo Bros’ Killer Romp, HEADSHOT

Alex Chung

If you need your Indonesian action film fix (complete with The Raid and The Raid 2 star Iko Uwais beating enemies silly) then look no further than his latest, Headshot. Directed by Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto (Killers, Macabre), this is a film that will no doubt be compared to The Raid films. They do share the sweet combination of ultra-violence and martial arts, not surprising since it’s the Uwais Team choreographing the mayhem. But first, the story… Iko stars as a man who washes ashore and can’t remember who he is due to a nasty head injury. As his memories return via jarring headaches, so do his deadly skills of dispatching enemies. While it does sound like The Bourne Identity, martial arts movie fans will have more to look forward to as our hero regains his abilities. Chelsea Islan plays a doctor who nurses him back to health but […]

HEADSHOT Goes For The Kill In The Brutal New Teaser Ahead Of Its TIFF Premiere!

Lee B. Golden III

Recent years have certainly seen promience within Indonesia’s film circles. It is of a slow but steady kind and due largely in part to the proliferation of its most notable player, Iko Uwais, undeniable in the work he’s put in to becoming a formidable, game-changing star, and he assuredly has changed it to some degree. His screen caliber as a martial artist and actor have all but sharpened since debuting in the 2009 action drama, Merantau. Following that with crime hits The Raid and The Raid 2 and save for a few albeit minimal cameos in Man Of Tai Chi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, there’s no question that there are, indeed, directors who know how to utilize Uwais’s skillset appropriately. Thus, we now come to the latest work from Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel, the hit film duo behind the 2014 slasher, Killers. They’re back, and this time […]

EXCLUSIVE: Jaa, Uwais, Tiger, Angelababy First In Line For ‘Asian Expendables’ Thriller, MAKESHIFT SQUAD

Lee B. Golden III

While getting some of the biggest and notable action stars together for a single movie is no easy feat to achieve, it’s one worth celebrating when it happens. Namely, I speak of talents like Skin Trade and Furious Seven breakout co-star Tony Jaa, and Man Of Tai Chi-starring opposites Tiger Chen and Iko Uwais, all of whom have been prolific in the last three years, and if you’re wondering if there’s any meaning to my mention of their names in this article, then with any luck and smooth scheduling, we may be onto something! For this, we look to the forthcoming Chinese production of the new ensemble action thriller, Makeshift Squad, which also has Rise Of The Legend and Indepedence Day: Resurgence co-star, actress Angelababy joining the cast as the female lead. Plot and story info are not yet known, although an unnamed source with knowledge on the production contacted Film Combat Syndicate […]

TIFF 2016: Mo Bros’ HEADSHOT Lands A Killer New Poster

Lee B. Golden III

If you’ve been pressing your finger on the pulse between fan blogs since earlier this year, chances are that you might have caught a blurred glimpse of the first poster for the new Mo Brothers-directed thriller, Headshot. Well, we are only days away from the film’s premiere heralding the return of action star, actor Iko Uwais, and with him, the acclaim so rightly deserved by Indonesian cinema for its accomplishments in the action genre as of late. Thus, the Toronto International Film Festival will be where the movie makes its first stop with Uwais leading along with actress Chelsea Islan, Julie Estelle and Sunny Pang among the cast for a gritty, brutal tale of vengeance and redemption for a mysterious man forced to confront his past following a brutal head injury. The film has since finally landed a pristine, high quality version of the aforementioned poster ahead of its TIFF […]

THE NIGHT COMES FOR US Once Again!

Lee B. Golden III

Nearly two years have passed since news slowly and quietly broke of the shelving of the Joe Taslim-starring action vehicle, The Night Comes For Us, and the real reasons why remain unbeknownst to the public. The film was drawn on the hinges of the recent successes of Indonesian film hits like Gareth Evans’s Merantau, The Raid and The Raid 2, in addition to directing duo Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel’s Macabre and Killers, and as one of two genre films being planned by Merantau and XYZ Films. Thankfully and whatever the case may be this week, it appears that Tjahjanto’s forthcoming solo feature debut at the helm is officially back on track with word of a screenfighting and casting call just in the last 24 hours overseas in Indonesia via social media. The film, to be produced by Evans along with Maya Barack Evans and XYZ Films, and in what […]

[UPDATED] TIFF 2016: Mo Bros' Actioner, HEADSHOT Gets Poster Sightings

Lee B. Golden III

The tension and excitement continue to brew in lieu of the upcoming world premiere of the new action thriller, Headshot at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Other screenings are also in the works for the new movie from Killers and Macabre helmers Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel while a likely 2017 release date for next year remains pending. In the meantime, you may recall a batch of teaser posters slowly rolling out earlier this year during the film’s post-production process introducing blurred images of the cast. Well, as of this week, the images are much sharper as new posters have finally begun circulating by way of TIFF and featuring our cast at hand, led by Indonesian martial arts wunderkind, actor Iko Uwais in the role of Ishmael, an amnesiac whose violent past comes back to jog his memory whilst in the care of a nurse tending to him. Joining […]

TIFF 2016: Mo Bros' HEADSHOT Wraps With New Images, Official Trailer Possibly Next Month

Lee B. Golden III

After two years of post-Raid hype and it’s plain to see how painstaking it feels just waiting for the next big Iko Uwais-led action movie to hit the big screen. Thankfully, the time since then hasn’t entirely been for naught with the Merantau star making a few notable splashes in Hollywood whilst keeping things afloat on the local end, and principally with hit horror genre duo, the Mo Brothers – Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel (Macabre, Killers). Plans to work together have come and gone in the past few years but has since led to the production of the new action thriller, Headshot, with Uwais back on camera as an amnesiac with a head wound whose violent past comes back to haunt him. The film officially completed production on August 11 with plans set in motion for its world premiere for the Midnight Madness line-up at next month’s Toronto International […]

THE HIT LIST – May 23, 2016

Lee B. Golden III

Greetings everyone, and welcome back to another installation of The Hit List. We’re light on the action a bit but I did find plenty to share, including one video that aired online last Summer, and it’s one that I would have wanted to share had I caught it at the time that I think you will all love. On that note, let’s get things moving and our first share in this week’s playlist of stunt action reels comes courtesy of Lauren Mary Kim who has a new demo sampling footage of training and serial shots for her stuntastic, incognito portrayal of actress Elodie Yung’s starring role as Elektra in the hit Netflix show, Daredevil. Following that are reels from Spencer Thomas, Shawn Balentine, Joe Kras, Jesse Rowles, and suit action actor Akiyama Tomohiko with freerunner Omar Zaki, action talent Darren Holmquist, disciple of the late Panna Rittikrai and co-star of […]

Go Ahead And Make Iko's Day In A New HEADSHOT Image

Lee B. Golden III

Well hello Iko Uwais! Looks like someone is awake and ready to light some thugs up in the Mo’ Brothers’s newest, Headshot. Uwais is leading a fine cast that includes Chelsea Islan, Julie Estelle, Sunny Pang and many more, and all for the story of one man whose lost memory gets the jog of a lifetime with his nurse’s life at stake and a horde of killers back on his tale. Nope, you do not want to mess with Uwais when he looks this pissed. Take a look at a new promo image and be on the lookout for a teaser coming soon as per co-director Timo Tjahjanto’s own words via Instagram!

MILE 22 Brings New Character Details, Script Changes For Rousey, Wahlberg

Lee B. Golden III

In a story published at The New Yorker, writer Tad Friend centers his latest piece on the dealings that encircle the business model of STX Entertainment and its chairman Adam Fogelson. One such segment places a little bit more light on the development on the latest international action thriller, Mile 22, which was announced last March. Then-UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and Indonesian action star Iko Uwais were the first two to be cast with The Rundown and Battleship helmer Peter Berg intially producing for STX. The story, from a script by Graham Rowland, centers on a CIA agent stationed in Indonesia, tasked with transporting an informant from the center of the city with the help of a local cop, to an awaiting getaway plane 22 miles away with a gauntlet of corrupt cops and heavily armed locals aimed at taking them out before they escape. By July 2015, Mark Wahlberg […]

[UPDATED] It's All A Blur For Iko Uwais In The New HEADSHOT Teaser Poster

Lee B. Golden III

Still carry a flame burning brightly for Indonesian action cinema? I’ll tell you that paying attention to the Mo Brothers in the following year will certainly be to your benefit. Yes, Timo Tjahanto and Kimo Stamboel are back and ready to impress with action star Iko Uwais of Merantau and The Raid franchise fame leading the way for Headshot. As the story goes, Uwais plays an amnesiac who gets treated by a nurse and ends up in a deadly clash with his violent past as a result. The film is a debut effort for Uwais and his own creative hive, Uwais Team with a cast that includes Chelsea Islan, Julie Estelle and Very Tri Yulisman with Singapore action star Sunny Pang front and center as the villain. You can catch a few glimpses of him below and just beneath the very first slate of teaser posters of Uwais, Estelle and […]

Sunny Pang Lends An Evil Stare Along With A Masked Julie Estelle In New Photos From HEADSHOT

Lee B. Golden III

Star Wars fans may be getting their Iko Uwais fix in J.J. Abrams’s newest movie set in a galaxy far far away this week. In the meantime, production remains on going for the latter portion of his newest title with director pair, the Mo Brothers’, Headshot. Filming is almost complete for the new movie which began early last month seeing Uwais in the role of an amnesiac mysteriously injured and in the care of a nurse who treats him until his violent past catches up to him accordingly. Such a plot sets things up quite nicely for an Uwais vehicle as this and with directors Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel back together at the helm following the 2014 horror hit, Killers. That said, Tjahanto is still rolling out some of the best gems from the lens and with some amazing shots at our characters. The production itself is something I […]

This Is What “The Raid” Cast Will Look Like In STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s almost silly that we still have more trailers and TV spots circulating for J.J. Abrams’s latest movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which opens in less than a week. The film pretty much sold itself on its most recent trailer – even to the tune of $50 million dollars in advanced ticket sales already in the can, thus attributing to just how nototiously competitive tickets for these event-films can get. As such, there’s probably a handful of people (of which I’m among) who will unfortunately be catching the film long after its first week. These seats usually go fast and to that affect, the new film knows exactly what kind of climate it is in upon aiming to attract as wide an audience as possible, which that means casting. For this, we go back to January when news broke of casting updates regarding three principals of director Gareth Evans’s […]

Iko Uwais Goes To Work In A New Action Still From HEADSHOT

Lee B. Golden III

The current production of the new Indonesian action thriller, Headshot, still has about a month left, but directors Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel are gracing fans through social media with several raw pics and stills of the production. The latest one, however, lends us a glimpse into the upcoming film’s action sequences hosted by lead actor Iko Uwais and his premiere troupe, Uwais Team, with the crew having completed one of its first action scenes just last week. Check it out below, and say hello to “The Snake” as well! First look of @iko.uwais in one of his fight scenes. #headshotmovie #headshot A photo posted by Timo Tjahjanto (@timobros) on Nov 18, 2015 at 9:54pm PST Meet the snake. #headshot #headshotmovie A photo posted by Timo Tjahjanto (@timobros) on Nov 13, 2015 at 3:55am PST Tjahjanto and Stamboel, pennamed as The Mo Brothers and helmers of their previous film, Killers, […]

Mo' Brothers Action Thriller, HEADSHOT Gets US, Asia And Japan Distribution

Lee B. Golden III

Photo: Instagram Action star Iko Uwais still draws a multitude of eyes for fans pining for more following his successes from 2010 and onward with martial arts drama, Merantau, and The Raid franchise. Since then with several appearances lined-up including Star Wars: The Force Awakens this December and next year’s Beyond Skyline, Uwais has already gone deep into his latest immersive role as an amnesiac on the run in the new movie, Headshot. Filming began earlier this month with Uwais leading the cast next to Chelsea Islan, Julie Estelle and Sunny Pang. The film hails from Killers helmer Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel with a script by Tjahjanto which sees Uwais mysteriously losing his memory and being treated by a nurse only to be subsequently plunged back into action when his past catches up to him. Of course, with the American Film Market having been active over in Santa Monica […]

And Now, A Word From IKO UWAIS…

Lee B. Golden III

?????? @ma_ma_deeA video posted by Official IKO UWAIS Instagram (@iko.uwais) on Nov 7, 2015 at 4:10am PST Well said, Iko!

EXCLUSIVE: Baseball Bat Man Very Tri Yulisman Joins HEADSHOT

Lee B. Golden III

Things remain on the up-and-up in Indonesia with the forthcoming production of the new action thriller, Headshot. Cameras are rolling in less than a week with Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel back on the mound once more, and for this, the casting details have been nothing short of sweet. Action star Iko Uwais is leading as of official media reports overseas several days ago, as well as debuting action sequences courtesy of his very own, Uwais Team. Casting news continued to build with the addition of actress Chelsea Islan and actor Sunny Pang, along with actress Julie Estelle, which really does add to the reunion fervor on many fronts; It was early last year as Uwais was working with Tjahjanto on the now-shelved Joe Taslim actioner, The Night Comes For Us while also bringing Uwais and Estelle back together since going toe-to-toe in last year’s hit sequel, The Raid 2. […]