jesse johnson

THE BEAUTIFUL ONES: Jesse V. Johnson’s Gangster Noir Romance Kills In Color In The Official U.S. Trailer

While action fans wait patiently for what’s to come with Jesse Johnson’s newest on Accident Man and Triple Threat, his most recent topic of acquisition, The Beautiful Ones, already comes as a highly accredited piece of work. The film, starring Ross McCall (Band Of Brothers) as a L.A. mob family shylock who falls in love with a rival family’s daughter amid a brewing turf war, was brilliantly shot and screened in Black and White, coupling it with an aesthetic that lended its signature appeal and making it the kind of film that we nary see this day and age. Close to never, in fact. Thus, one has to wonder why Gravitas Ventures, after acquiring the film in February, would even bother selling it in color. That appears to be the case now in the most recent trailer making the rounds as if it looks to sell a different movie almost […]

Arclight Takes Ensemble Martial Arts Thriller, TRIPLE THREAT To Cannes

Lee B. Golden III

Director Jesse V. Johnson’s latest effort, Triple Threat, has entered the last stages of filming in time for its Cannes World Market Premiere this week from Arclight Films. The film certainly took sometime to evolve since late 2016 and evidently came together in the past several months in the course of building its remarkable cast and potential. TRIPLE THREAT is an adrenaline-fueled action film that brings together the three biggest new action Asian stars in one thrilling movie. The film is based on a hit contract taken out on a billionaire’s daughter intent on bringing down a major crime syndicate. A down and out team of mercenaries must take on a group of professional assassins and stop them before they kill their target. Hailing an ensemble English-language action thriller from a script by Joey O’Bryan and Paul Staheli is an Asian trio of leading stars Tony Jaa (Ong Bak Trilogy, […]

ACCIDENT MAN Tumbles Online In A New Production Still

Lee B. Golden III

As filmmaker Jesse Johnson nears his end with Asian ensemble thriller, Triple Threat, so continues the journey of another with his other of several Scott Adkins headliners, Accident Man. Actress Amy Johnston (Lady Bloodfight) shared a recent photo of herself and our protagonist in gravity-defying fashion which you can view below. There’s no telling of a release schedule just yet as the film is still in post-production. Adkins, opposite Johnston, stars in the title role inspired by the once popular British comic book of the same name, telling of a cavalier “cleaning” expert who sets out for vengeance when his beloved girlfriend is murdered. Also starring are Ashley Greene, Ray Stevenson, Ray Park and fellow Triple Threat co-star Michael Jai White from a script by Adkins who also produces, and writer/co-star Stu Small

TRIPLE THREAT Casts Hong Kong Cinema Star Michael Wong

Lee B. Golden III

There are about two weeks or so left for the Thailand filming of Jesse Johnson’s new Asian action thriller, Triple Threat with Tony Jaa, Tiger Chen and Iko Uwais starring. For this, it’s only now that the production is making official the addition of actor Michael Wong (Cold War, Z Storm, Skiptrace) to the cast. The news was shared on the film’s current fanpage on Facebook via photo which you can view below with Wong featured between Chen and Jaa. The film sees our action hero line-up leading the film from a script by Joey O’Bryan centered on actress Celina Jade in the role of a a billionaire’s daughter who seeks protection from a murderous cartel with the help of a trio of badass mercenaries, one of whom has more vengeful intentions. Comprising our villain line-up are martial arts stars, actors Scott Adkins, Michael Jai White, Jeeja Yanin, Michael Bisping […]

ACCIDENT MAN: Scott Adkins Dodges Danger In The First Official Photo

Lee B. Golden III

Martial arts action star Scott Adkins is currently treading the streets of Thailand as one of the key antagonists on the set of Jesse Johnson’s ensemble action thriller, Triple Threat. In the meantime, post production is already underway for the previous completion from the duo with an adaptation of British comic book thriller, Accident Man which Adkins also produces. On Saturday, Adkins took to social media to unveil the first official still from the production which takes its cues from creators Pat Mills and Tony Skinner whose once popular Toxic! publication manifests the story of an assassin who disguises his hit jobs as everyday, ordinary accidents. Adkins himself described the film as a dream project from the age of fifteen, telling followers, “I fell in love with the comic book, always knew it would be an amazing movie. I co-wrote, produced and of course star and I am very, very […]

The Cartel Assembles For Jesse Johnson’s TRIPLE THREAT

Lee B. Golden III

It wasn’t made clear just to what capacity actress Jeeja Yanin’s role in Jesse Johnson’s new movie, Triple Threat, would extend at the time when we broke the exclusive back in March. Needless to say that mystery now comes to an end with the Raging Phoenix and Chocolate star donning some serious tactical gear in a new promo photo featuring herself among the antagonists for the new Asian action movie currently in production in Thailand. Yanin’s cohorts as seen below include Ron Smoorenburg and Scott Adkins, Michael Bisping and Michael Jai White outlining the murderous cartel from which leading action stars Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais and Tiger Chen must protect a billionaire’s daughter, played by none other than Celina Jade. SC Films International’s own Mike Selby is producing along with Mike Gabrawy and Gary Hamilton of Arclight Films. Actor Chen is also producing the film as will Elliot Tong and […]

The Cast Begins Assembling For Asian Action Ensemble, TRIPLE THREAT

Lee B. Golden III

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. For this, I think it’s safe to say this particular picture is self-explanatory, but for the uninformed, you’re looking at just the start of a new campaign for thrilling action cinema with pre-production heavily underway for Triple Threat, the new movie from director Jesse V. Johnson. Pictured below are just two of the film’s headliners of the ensemble cast, Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais – both having been central to fan curiousity for the last seven years regarding if ever these two would see a film set together. Uwais recently completed filming Timo Tjahjanto’s Joe Taslim-starrer, The Night Comes For Us following the release of Indonesian action hit, Headshot, while Jaa, fresh from his latest online music video premiere, Groundbreaking, scored big with his appearance in D.J. Caruso’s xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage this past winter. Joining the two will […]

Celina Jade And Jeeja Yanin Join TRIPLE THREAT

Lee B. Golden III

EXCLUSIVE: Actresses Celina Jade (CW’s Arrow) and Jeeja Yanin (Raging Phoenix) have been officially cast in the new ensemble action movie, Triple Threat from Arclight Films and SC Films Thailand. Jesse V. Johnson (The Package, The Beautiful Ones) is directing from a script by Joey O’Bryan for production to commence in Thailand on April 12. Triple Threat joins our female components with an ensemble cast encompassing a raft of heavy hitters, including Tiger Chen (Man Of Tai Chi), Tony Jaa (xXx 3) and Iko Uwais (Headshot) opposite Scott Adkins (Doctor Strange), Michael Jai White (Blood And Bone) and UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping (xXx 3). The action-packed story follows a billionaire’s daughter whose only hope for protection from a ruthless cartel are two ill-fated fighters and a third seeking vegenace on the others. Jade, who previously starred alongside Jaa opposite White in Ekachai Uekrongtham’s Skin Trade in 2015, will play […]

Details Assemble On Chen/Jaa/Uwais Headliner, TRIPLE THREAT

Lee B. Golden III

It was on Monday that Film Combat Syndicate hosted an exclusive update on the previously-announced union of action stars Tiger Chen, Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais for a project called Makeshift Squad. As things stand now, that project has shift into something almost entirely different whilst retaining its cast for updates on the Asian-Expendables style thriller, Triple Threat as of a few months ago. Our first noted with news on Monday of the additions of actors Scott Adkins and Michael Jai White, and UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping up for villain roles. Jesse Johnson, longtime stuntman-turned director of such films as The Package and The Beautiful Ones will be at the helm with a script by Joey O’Bryan which THR‘s report on Tuesday now further clarifies will center on a billionaire’s daughter who finds herself targeted by a mercenary cartel. Her only means of protection are two down-on-their-luck fighters and a […]

TRIPLE THREAT Multiplies The Danger With Adkins, White And Bisping; Jesse V. Johnson To Direct

Lee B. Golden III

EXCLUSIVE: In the months since its evolution, the highly anticipated action thriller, Triple Threat (formely Makeshift Squad) has been a bookmark for many an Asian cinema fan looking to see just how this particular “Asian-Expendables” kind of movie this will bring about. The prospects have been good, too, and notably in the wake of its casting additions including headliners Tiger Chen (Man Of Tai Chi), Tony Jaa (Furious Seven) and Iko Uwais (Headshot), and particularly with 87eleven’s own Chad Stahelski (John Wick: Chapter 2) behind the action scenes. Bearing all this in mind, an attached director has not been entirely certain with earlier names Gary Mak and Wang Xiaolie having circled the project, the latter reported by the time of its acquisition over at international sales outfit Arclight Films late last year. Moreover, with Stahelski poised to move forward with a hopeful third installment of the hit John Wick franchise […]

Jesse V. Johnson’s SAVAGE DOG Unleashes An Official Poster

Lee B. Golden III

XLrator Media On Wednesday, action star Scott Adkins posted the official teaser trailer for his latest action-packed affair, Savage Dog. This week, and in the company of a full press release no less, an official poster is finally here which you can take a gander at below. Read on and stay tuned for further coverage! Hollywood, CA (January 25th, 2017) Martial Arts Action star sensation Scott Adkins is back in “Savage Dog” Indochina – 1959. A lawless town controlled by the criminal class: Vietnamese warlords and European war criminals. Den-Dhin-Chan Labor Camp is run by four such dangerous men. The worst prison in the land, it is here that a European, former-champion boxer Martin Tillman (Scott Adkins, Marvel’s “Doctor Strange”) has made a name for himself fighting tournaments, on which wealthy criminals gamble in high stakes events. When Tillman is due for release, he just wants to return home, but […]

SAVAGE DOG Shows Its Teeth In The Explosive First Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

When it was announced last year in a series of reports that martial arts stars Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror would be returning to the screen, Savage Dog had no more than names and a logline attached to some tentative artwork. It’s something of a mystery to me as to why that was but thankfully the film has earned its way to completion and now we have an official trailer of sorts to start things off with. SYNOPSIS: Indochina – 1959. A lawless land controlled by the criminal class: Vietnamese warlords and European war-criminals. Den-Dhin-Chan Labor Camp is run by four such dangerous men. The worst prison in the land, it is here that an Irish, former-champion boxer Martin Tilman (Adkins) has made a name for himself fighting tournaments, on which wealthy criminals gamble in high stakes events. When Tilman is due for release, he just wants to return home, […]

Jesse V. Johnson’s Comic Book Adaptation, ACCIDENT MAN Confirms Its Roster With Martial Arts Star Scott Adkins Leading

Lee B. Golden III

The past few weeks have been brewing something under the radar in a modest effort to surprise action fans before several details about Jesse V. Johnson’s latest film, Accident Man, were leaked online via IMDb. At this point it pretty much makes the best sense to report it all know and thus, the latest trade news via Deadline confirms most of the suspected cast along with a few surprises as follows. And indeed, it is the man himself, Marvel’s Doctor Strange co-star Scott Adkins who took to his Facebook fanpage earlier on to tease the project as a lifelong passion inspired by one of his favorite comic book characters in which he has since been confirmed to star. Stu Small is penning the film, based on the property created by Pat Mills and Tony Skinner and launched in the U.K. through formerly existing publisher, Toxic!, which sees British martial arts and […]

Jesse V. Johnson To Adapt ACCIDENT MAN; Casts Ashley Greene

Lee B. Golden III

Director Jesse Johnson (The Package, The Beautiful Ones) is all about surprises as of late and with his latest, Accident Man, we’re bound for a plateful. For now, the word is out with the addition of actress Ashley Greene, prominently known for her role in the Twilight Saga, now cast as one of the leads. Styled as an ultraviolent tale similar to Deadpool, Accident Man hails from the auspices of UK comic book publisher, Toxic!, created by Pat Mills in the early 90’s. Deadline reports that Greene will take on the role of Charlie, a woman with whom our protagonist, cavalier assassin and expert clean-up man, Mike Fallon, team up to investigate and avenge the death of Fallon’s beloved Beth. Other credits and specifics haven’t been confirmed in the report but I’m almost certain that this will likely blow the lid off the action movie fandom ceiling in due time. […]

Official Synopsis For Jesse Johnson Actioner, SAVAGE DOG

Lee B. Golden III

It was just this summer when we finally learned of director Jesse Johnson’s latest return to the director’s chair for period action thriller, Savage Dog. The attachment of actor and martial artist Scott Adkins certainly emboldened things a bit followed by news of fellow stars Marko Zaror and Cung Le along with actress JuJu Chan certainly helped keep things afloat as production moved forward. The promotional campaign for the film hasn’t officially begun yet although what came of it about a month ago was a mock promotional poster which you can click here to check out. Otherwise, you can expect Spring 2017 to be a busy time for Johnson and the good folks over at Bleiberg Entertainment to get the ball rolling with a trailer and some extra photo gems from the production with Savage Dog certainly looking to add some extra fervor to the principle Adkins and Zaror fanbases. […]

Jesse Johnson's SAVAGE DOG Inks A New Poster

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Scott Adkins is already reaping acclaim among Fantastic Fest attendees in the hours since catching wind of the premiere of Todor Chapkanov’s Boyka: Undisputed. Partly it’s a matter of great timing as well with director Jesse Johnson in the wake of updating his own website with a fresh new poster headling his newly completed film, Savage Dog. Details on the film have remained all but scant on the story since the film was unveiled ahead of production at Cannes back in May. However, select cast members have taken to various outlets to tease minor details about the film with Adkins revealing his role as a fugitive IRA member hiding from the British and forced into pit fighting as a captive in lawless land in 1954 Indochina where ex-Nazis live in hiding. Other story details will utimately unveil with the casting appearances of actor Vladmir Kulich along with Crouching Tiger, […]

Check Out This Exclusive BTS Photo From Jesse Johnson's SAVAGE DOG

Lee B. Golden III

Courtesy of Jesse Johnson – SAVAGE DOG (2017) Production remains on going for the new film, Savage Dog from director Jesse Johnson, and it’s a film leaving little room to spare for details about the project other than what’s already been reported. Thankfully there is somewhat of a string of gems coming from the production with at least one still as of a few weeks ago from Johnson himself, as well as other set pics with the cast and crew including martial arts stars Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror, and actress and martial artist Juju Chan with former UFC fighter, action star Cung Le. Follow any of these folks on social media and you’ll see plenty of behind-the-scenes photos as we wait until this movie enters the right phase for more specifics to arise. In the meantime, we have another new photo with this one, exclusively from Johnson seen arm-in-arms […]

Cung Le Joins Adkins, Zaror And Chan For SAVAGE DOG

Lee B. Golden III

While all we know of director Jesse V. Johnson’s latest production, Savage Dog, is what were shown on the Cannes poster, the expectations are high with action stars, actors Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror, and actress JuJu Chan starring. That said, Zaror himself seems the go-to guy as of late via Instagram as much in touch as he is with his fanbase about his projects. For this, we get a new photo of Zaror cheering his fellow co-star, actor Cung Le whose best known credits on film include Bodyguards And Assassins (2009), The Man With The Iron Fists (2012) and Puncture Wounds (2014). Le has since retired from his days as an MMA fighter for the UFC nearly a year-and-a-half ago which obviously leaves more time for him to grow his career in film with at least one title he’s been teasing for a few years now while in the […]

Adkins And Zaror Reunite For Jesse V. Johnson's SAVAGE DOG

Lee B. Golden III

One may have wondered exactly when Undisputed 3: Redemption character opposites, Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror would reunite for another round. Well, leave it to Zaror to tease the masses on Thursday with a little bit of Cannes sales art from Bleiberg Entertainment for the new action thriller, Savage Dog. Plot details and crew informantion are unavailable at present. The folks over at Bleiberg Entertainment are shopping the film at Cannes this week with the artwork seen below, and plans to shoot the film in June, reuniting Adkins with director Jesse V. Johnson since cameoing in Johnson’s Dominique Vandenberg-led 2005 action thriller, Pit Fighter. The film is also the latest to come from Johnson since wrapping and festival circulating his latest noir action drama, The Beautiful Ones which currently awaits a release. Also starring is actress and martial artist JuJu Chan, notably credited for her role opposite actress Maria Tran […]

The New Poster For Jesse V. Johnnson's THE BEAUTIFUL ONES Spreads The Gospel!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Jesse V. Johnson is currently making the rounds at festivals with his most recent crime noir, The Beautiful Ones. The film just screened in Buffalo, NY with a slot available for this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at the Cinema Paradiso venue in Florida while UK-based Moviehouse Entertainment sustains international sales rights from now through next year. Alas, with any luck, we’ll be hearing back on some acquisitons and release dates soon. The film is a true love letter to a bygone era of film dating back to the 60’s and 70’s with a brilliant scope and vision led by stunt veteran and filmmaker Johnson and lead actor Ross McCall. I know this having had the honor of screening this dazzling film for myself among others this summer, and so it comes with the humbling honor of appearing on the new poster being unveiled this week (click for […]