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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. […]

THE RAID Remake Searches For A New Director As Hughes, Screen Gems Part Ways

Lee B. Golden III

I’ve long advocated that remakes and reboots done correctly could work for audiences, and there are a few examples worth mentioning like the lesser-appreciated Dredd 3D and films like Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist which currently awaits a sequel. That said, a remake of the hit Indonesian crime thriller, The Raid, has been on deck for a readaptation for a few years now following its cult success back in 2011, even though its progress has been slow to go for more than a year now. This week, following the departure of Audience network series Kingdom star, Frank Grillo, since his addition to the cast last year, there are a few updates aside from the fact that the remake is not entirely dead but still on the table. Out Of The Furnace scribe Brad Inglesby and even the original film’s director, Gareth Huw Evans have partaken in its script development while the film’s […]

Iko Uwais Actioner HEADSHOT Confirms Julie Estelle And Sunny Pang

Lee B. Golden III

Following Thursday’s initial reports, Twitchfilm confirmed the additions of actress Julie Estelle and Singaporean actor Sunny Pang in the new action thriller, Headshot, from SCTV Station and Screenplay Infinite Films. Action star Iko Uwais leads the cast with actress Chelsea Islan for the film’s production set to roll cameras within a week or so. The Mo Brothers, as pennamed with respect to their names, Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel, are directing with a script that centers on Uwais as an amnesiac with a head injury whose past comes back to haunt him upon being nursed back to health by a young doctor. Pang (re: solve, The Collector), is set to play one of the key villains as he has reportedly learning lines in Bahasa, which should already bode well on screen since he’s fluent in a few other languages, including English. Uwais reunites with Estelle following last year’s […]

The Mo Brothers Reunite For Iko Uwais Actioner, HEADSHOT For Next Year

Lee B. Golden III

Long after the acclaim of last year’s Indonesian film prospects with horror thriller, Killers and action crime sequel, The Raid 2, it comes with great pleasure to finally see more coming out of the woodworks from the other side of the globe. Indeed it was Killers co-helmer Timo Tjahjanto who was poised to direct the currently-shelved gangster thriller, The Night Comes For Us with the involvement of fellow cohorts Gareth Huw Evans and action star Iko Uwais doing principal fight choreography. However, with that title tentatively on the backburner while Uwais and Evans branched out to other projects since then, it looks like anyone who enjoyed Killers will surely be in good company now that Tjahjanto and partner Kimo Stamboel are back together and working on their newest actioner, Headshot from SCTV and Screenplay Infinite Films. Uwais himself is designing the action as well as starring with actress Chelsea Aslan […]

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Prince Charles Cinema Is Hosting A Double Feature For THE RAID & THE RAID 2 Next Month!

Lee B. Golden III

There isn’t much we can do except wait as patiently as possible for the next two years while acclaimed filmmaker Gareth Huw Evans slow-boils his way toward the production of the third installment of his much-heralded crime saga, The Raid. Until then, both film are now available wherever movies are sold for home viewing, and lucky movie goers will be able to attend fan screenings wherever and whenever available. Keep this in mind while the kind folks over in London’s Prince Charles Cinema are gearing up for a double header on August 8 at 7:20pm for the 2011 movie and its 2014 follow up collectively produced by XYZ Films, Merantau Films and Celluloid Dreams, and starring Iko Uwais, Donny Alamsyah, Joe Taslim, Yayan Ruhian, Ray Sahetapy, Pierre Gruno, Tio Pakusawedo, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Very Tri Yulisman and Julie Estelle, with Cecep Arif Rahman, Endo Kenichi, Matsuda Ryuhei and Kitamura […]

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Wahlberg Joins Talks For MILE 22 With Berg, Rousey And Uwais

Lee B. Golden III

The internet broke back in March when it was announced that Peter Berg would produce forthcoming action thriller, Mile 22 with The Raid star Iko Uwais and The Expendables 3 co-star Ronda Rousey attached. The prospects of this happening bode excellently for fans of both action actors with Uwais still brimming with popularity as the third film in the Raid franchise awaits its 2017/2018 arrival and Rousey maintaining her professional fighting career as well as acting. That said, casting is still underway through press announcements and this week’s latest trade reports include actor and Ted 2 star Mark Wahlberg who is in talks with fellow Lone Survivor cohort Berg and newly established STX Entertainment to star in the film as well as produce with producer Stephen Levinson. The film’s script by executive producer Graham Roland will center on a CIA agent stationed in Indonesia tasked with transporting an informant from […]

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Iko Uwais, Ronda Rousey To Star In MILE 22, Peter Berg To Produce

Lee B. Golden III

Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly stated that Berg would direct. This is a treat that may have been in the making what with the hype that came from a recent instagram post between undefeated UFC champion Ronda Rousey, Indonesian action star and choreographer Iko Uwais and The Rundown, Battleship and Lone Survivor helmer, director Peter Berg. Plus, it’s still not clear as to exactly what order things may exactly be happening, although it certainly does help to have an idea about what lies ahead for all three. According to Variety, the three are tapped to work on the new action thriller, Mile 22 with Rousey and Uwais starring in the story that pits a CIA field operative and an Indonesian cop together on an extemely dangerous and violent mission to confront a politically courrupt foe. Both Rousey and Uwais are coming off quite a few noteworthy accomplishments […]

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A CASE FOR BETTER ACTION MOVIES – Character Study: Rama From THE RAID/THE RAID 2 (2011-2014)

Lee B. Golden III

The following is a version of a segment to a compilation article to which I contributed with other writers over at The Action Elite prior to its publication on February 15, 2015. CLICK HERE to read the article in its entirety. From delivery man to cult film star, Iko Uwais‘s career has been one of the mucuh larger bright spots of the past decade or so for martial arts action cinema. Fans have poured in droves to see him at work since breaking out in the 2009 film, Merantau, which also solidly contributed much to the resurgence of the Indonesian action film industry in the last ten years. For this, we were eventually granted with a delightful reapproach by action auteur Gareth Evans for a script that found its way to a rewritten draft for a character that would ultimately emerge as one of the most electrifying protagonists in action […]

Pre-Production Commences On Gareth Huw Evans's BLISTER

Lee B. Golden III

Much of the fandom for director Gareth Huw Evans‘s currently brewing Raid trilogy has settled since the second installment released last year to much excitement and acclaim. So, it may be an uneasy thing for some to possibly have to wait an extra three years before the saga finishes, although it is rewarding to know that Evans‘s storytelling vernacular goes beyond one franchise. As such, Evans is now moving on to other properties, with at least two films now in-development, including the new movie, Blister. Not much is known about the plot of the film as of yet, although the director did offer a small blurb last year while on the road promoting The Raid 2, describing the film as his own take on “the contemporary American gangster story with echoes of The Wild Bunch”. Evans has since reunited with his fellow film folk in Indonesia, including Iko Uwais […]

Did Frank Grillo Just Depart THE RAID Remake?

Did Frank Grillo Just Depart THE RAID Remake?

Lee B. Golden III

It might not be shocking to some, but unless your hopes were high in catching Kingdom series and The Purge 2: Anarchy co-star Frank Grillo in an upcoming remake of the 2011 contained crime thriller, The Raid, then there’s a good chance that isn’t happening. Watching my boy @iko_uwais in #THERAID. There’s no way I’m doing a remake of this. Couldn’t do it justice. #respect — frank grillo (@FrankGrillo) January 10, 2015 The tweet comes roughly a month after Grillo wrapped his scenes for director Liam O’Donnell‘s upcoming standalone sci-fi follow-up, Beyond Skyline in Yogyakarta, Indonesia with co-star and action director Iko Uwais; Uwais himself broke out to huge film festival stardom in the original release of The Raid, directed by Gareth Huw Evans, prior to the 2014 sequel wherein Screen Gems had officially announced plans for a Hollywood remake to be directed by The Expendables 3 director Patrick Hughes. Grillo […]

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'The Force Awakens' With THE RAID 2 Actors Joining The Seventh STAR WARS Film

Lee B. Golden III

Well, nobody within a range too distant from the production of J.J. Abrams‘s Star Wars: The Force Awakens saw this coming, but it appears that The Raid 2 principal stars, Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian and Cecep Arif Rahman will have roles of their own in the film when it releases this December. There are no details as of yet, and it also comes as a major, MAJOR fucking surprise since their names were nowhere seen in previous reports. Nonetheless, it’s a big step up from a group that has seen its cult success rise from the recent fanbase grown stemming from the successes of director Gareth Huw Evans whose films have signaled a sizable resurgence for Indonesia’s film industry with the releases of coming-of-age martial arts drama, Merantau, and two of the currently developing Raid Trilogy. It’s also another huge foray further into the mainstream for Uwais and Ruhian, who themselves […]

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[UPDATED] THE NIGHT COMES FOR US Is On Hold, Production Uncertain

Lee B. Golden III

UPDATE (12/24/14): Based on a Tweet response four days ago, it appears that Tjahjanto is taking his vision for the former production of The Night Comes For Us and putting it into graphic novel form with Glitch Network. Production on the film itself suddenly halted back in September for reasons unknown. (Special thanks to commentor, Fatso, for the heads’ up!) EARLIER REPORT: Fans of Gareth Huw Evans’s 2011 action thriller, The Raid, may have noticed one other title that’s gone quite a while without much mention in the headlines. That title, of course, Killers co-helmer Timo Tjahjanto’s Indonesian crime epic, The Night Comes For Us, for which The Raid co-star Joe Taslim was the subject of much buzz when he was officially cast for the lead in April of last year. Well, if you fit the profile and have long been pining for more details surrounding the film, the good […]

BEYOND SKYLINE: Tweet Roundup!

Lee B. Golden III

10/30/15: It’s been MONTHS since director Liam O’Donnell‘s latest Beyond Skyline, wrapped principal photography. That said, with any luck we’ll see a teaser VERY soon in a promising fashion following the lackluster first film…and by promising, I mean actor Frank Grillo in the good company of Indonesian action stars Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian delivering the brutal action as they take on deadly aliens. So, no footage for now, but Grillo has a few new stills up courtesy of his Instagram page. Take a look, and stay tuned for more info after this! Me and the great @iko.uwais and @yayanruhian #TheRaid films about to get down in #BeyondSkyline. Epic battles and fights. If you like that sorta thing. Coming soonA photo posted by Frank Grillo (@frankgrillo1) on Oct 30, 2015 at 4:48pm PDT #BeyondSkyline @iko.uwais @yayanruhian If you love badass martial arts and alien invasion we have something special for […]

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Fan Fights, Pre-Viz, Superpowers And More In This Latest Batch Of Test Fights!

Lee B. Golden III

As previously stated, I’ve foregone doing individual pieces for many short test fights I spot around the web considering how difficult it is to keep track, in addition to gaining insight on how they come together and the minds behind them. Many are very good and deserve a platform on which they can be shared and presented, and I’m humbled and glad to use this blog when I can to make an effort and be one of the few that do so. Feel free to check out my previous entry by following this link. Beyond that, here we go: Thailand-based screenfighting and stunt group, The Action Guys are back to thrill fight fans with a new test fight titled Room Service. Try getting ambushed in a tight space wearing only a towel and a thick skin against a Karambit-knife wielding intruder and see how you like it! Indie action director […]

AFM 2014: THE RAID Remake Trio Set To Go BEYOND SKYLINE

AFM 2014: THE RAID Remake Trio Set To Go BEYOND SKYLINE

Lee B. Golden III

Well this is intersting news! I’ve never seen the 2010 installation of the sci-fi thriller, Skyline. The trailer itself was appealing though, but being the action aficionado I try to be, I eventually put it off. Now, with the American Film Market in its fourth day of activity as of Saturday, who would have thought that the upcoming sequel from Hydralux Entertainment, Beyond Skyline would have given me more reason to see the first? And much to the approval of an international audience at that! (Looking at you Indonesia). According to Bloody Disgusting, action stars Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian are joining actor Frank Grillo for the upcoming sequel with Skyline scribes Liam O’Donnell and Joshua Cordes directing and writing, respectively. Greg Strause and Colin Strause helmed the first film which introduced the story of alien creatures descending on Earth looking to wipe away humanity. So, how integral will these […]

FROM BEIJING TO Z (Part One): My Interview With Lohan Buson

Lee B. Golden III

The past year has been a pretty scant for me when it comes to interviews between the site and my outside obligations, but I knew that I wanted to talk to people with the summer film festival circuit in full-bloom. Thankfully, through good fortune and patience, I managed to achieve this several times – including twice with Lohan Buson and Fabien Garcia, two of the internet’s biggest trendsetters for the online action niche representing their once Beijing-based action cimema filmmaking and stunt team, Z-Team. I first caught these two in a shortfilm titled Duel a little less than a decade ago. It was one of the slickest and coolest action short pieces I had ever seen, and it was easy to see the potential they would garner in their endeavors as performers. Of course, their potential remained mired by the usual setbacks of independent filmmaking, particularly with their latest Action […]

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Catch 30-Seconds Of NSFW Mayhem For The Home Release Of THE RAID 2!

Lee B. Golden III

As if you needed any more motivation to purchase your copy of DVD or Blu-Ray for a homebound release of writer and director Gareth Huw Evans‘s newest film, The Raid 2, just make you’re in a room with no one looking. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has unleashed a 30-second not-safe-for-work montage of bloody hammers, broken legs and fisticuffs in between quick cuts for its Ultimate Action Mashup this week, and you can check it all out just below. Click here for all the available disc details and specs, and buy your copy wherever films are sold. And yes, do stay tuned for updates on the forthcoming third installment, and the current development of the reboot with newly cast member, Frank Grillo.

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THE RAID 2 Gets A U.S. Street Date!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s Friday. You know what that means? It means it’s the perfect day to go nuts with excitement over anything if your subsequent weekend allows it. For me, such a day came back in March when my friend, independent filmmaker Jon Truei and I went to see director Gareth Evans‘ latest cult blockbuster, The Raid 2. And he knows first hand how nuts I was; I was inconsolable with every joyful butt kicking minute. And if you have seen the film yet, you know exactly what I mean. With that in mind, the film is still circulating in theaters around the world. And for filmgoers in North America who haven’t had a chance to see the film in theaters, then you needn’t worry too long. You’ll be able to finally bring the magical cinematic asskickery to your home theater with the film’s forthcoming DVD and Blu-Ray release in less than […]

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Rama Gets Down And Dirty In A New Clip From THE RAID 2

Lee B. Golden III

While I can assure you that the picture above represents nothing close to the latest clip from director Gareth Evans‘s new film, The Raid 2 (and at best, we can just hope to see those ambitious-looking moves in another film in the not-too-distant future), the following footage is just a taste of the brutal, dirty, scrubby, nasty awesomeness that awaits the film’s nationwide release just hours from now. Expect bruises, broken bones, ans maybe some hurt feelings. That’s all I’ll say about it. You can learn a little more about that clip in THIS behind-the-scenes featurette about two minutes in. And remember! The cast and crew of The Raid 2 are hosting a Google Hangout VERY soon, and you may want to CLICK HERE to learn more if you wish to join in. The bloody mayhem ensues in North America and Canada TOMORROW!!! H/T: Apple Trailers

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THE RAID 2 Director's Next Martial Arts Movie To Film Back-To-Back With THE RAID 3

Lee B. Golden III

Photo from ClickOnline by Jack McGlynn (2013) Lately it feels like I cannot go a day or a week without talking about writer and director Gareth Huw Evans and his latest film, The Raid 2. Pure hype and excitement, followed growing impatience and total anxiety would be a good way to state how things have been for fans in the last nine months since the film wrapped principal photography and four months since Evans, joined by lead actor Iko Uwais and other select cast and crew members began touring the world over to promote the film. Fortunately after two weeks of limited releases, loyal fans including in North America, the U.K. and abroad will finally get to see the film starting this Friday, with further dates and locations to follow. And with all the praise the film has thusfar received in light of all the talk there has been about […]