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Get A Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Action In Daniel Zirilli’s THE ASIAN CONNECTION

Crossing Point helmer Daniel Zirilli is currently onto furthering film prospects with the likes of Chilean action star Marko Zaror for a tentatively untitled project in Bangkok this November. It’s one that marks but one of several credits to the director having familiarized himself with Asia’s various locals, namely in and around Thailand, and aptly enough for the production schedule back in 2015 with his recent crime thriller, The Asian Connection.

Produced by Damiano Tucci (Shark Lake), actor John Edward Lee (Terminator: Genysis) leads the cast along with actress Pim Bubear (The Man With The Iron Fists 2) for the story of two American robbers, Jack and Sam, committing a spate of heists when one of their jobs lands them in danger after learning they’ve stolen from a local crime boss. eOne has since released the film with much of the artwork featuring actor Steven Seagal front and center who plays the aforementioned villain and while the film has its fair share of criticisms, the hardcore Seagal completists will likely find themselves keen on checking this one out on their own time.

For now though, Zirilli has taken to Film Combat Syndicate to share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film shot by documentarian Lee Mason (Once Upon A Time In Vietnam a.k.a. Lua Phat) with appearances by Only God Forgives co-stars Byron Gibson and Sahajak Boonthanakit, along with Time Rush star Dean Alexandrou. Michael Jai White cameos in the film as well, though neither he nor Seagal are in the following video which also contains some spoilers, so mind the footage while viewing, and enjoy!

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Sahamongkol Wants To Block FURIOUS 7 In Thailand. Here Is Why They Might Lose.

Thai law stipulates that no one can be forced to work against their will, and in this case, Sahamongkol would have to prove damages as a result of a broken contract (upon which such a contract can not be reinstated or continued) – a contract which Jaa has consistently disputed in its alleged existence and has always denied signing. Nonetheless, the hype this week appears to stem from Techarantanaprasert’s filing of an injunction against the release of the film in Thailand in a new district court seperate from the one in which the original dispute was being heard, on top of seeking compensation to the tune of almost $50 million (1.6 billion baht), which is odd considering the original claim in 2013 was much closer to $5 million (or 162.5 million baht) for supposedly making Jaa famous.

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Van Dien Leads The Action In RELENTLESS; Dacascos In Talks

Time will tell if whether or not previous reports will forsee the return of actors Casper Van Dien and Mark Dacascos to the Mortal Kombat Legacy arena for a third outing. In the meantime, we now have news of their involvement on a new project from Greenlight Films, Emerald Films and Riucci Films, Relentless.

According to Twitchfilm, Van Dien will lead as Charlie LaFarge, a former US Army Ranger on the run from the law and resigned to vengeance after being unwittingly swept into a feud between warring Russian and Thai drug traffickers, ensuing the theft of his boat, the brutal murder of his mentor, the kidnapping of his girlfriend and the malfeasance of a crooked DEA agent. Dacascos, whose slate has been loading up with various potential projects like Blood Raid and Baf Sjamsuddin’s Garuda 7 is currently in talks to join the production under Dark Power helmer John Milton Branton with a script by retired ATF agent, awarded author & journalist and House Of The Rising Sun scribe Chuck Hustmyre, and fight choreography by Tekken 2: Kazuya’s Revenge action director Brahim Achabbakhe.

Silent Partners’s own Brandon Rhea and Impact‘s Mike Leeder are co-producing the film with US casting director, Pamela Staton whilst having just completed Dacascos‘s latest lead role in the second film under their banner, Ultimate Justice which is due in 2015.

More names is expected to be announced in due time.

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EXCLUSIVE: KICKBOXER Loses Fung, Gains 'In The Blood' Director

Probably one of the biggest pieces of developing news as of late has been the current stagnation surrounding a forthcoming remake of the 1989 martial arts tournament thriller, Kickboxer. Updates have been slow and steady since the film was announced last summer, followed by this year’s press release from The Exchange CEO, Brian O’Shea in lieu of Cannes, with a cast list that appeared to be sizing up quite nicely with martial artist and stuntman Alain Moussi (X-Men: Days Of Future Past, Warcraft) set to make his acting debut. Lately however, the production has been hitting some bumps in the past several months, signified otherwise by the fact that the film was supposed to go into production in Thailand a few months ago.

This week now, those bumps have turned into thumps, after losing martial arts action stars, actor Scott Adkins a few months ago, in addition to Tony Jaa just the other day. Moreover, it also appears that Tai Chi 0 helmer Stephen Fung is now no longer directing the film either as of several weeks ago according to sources close to the film’s development, which now brings word that John Stockwell has been tentatively attached to direct the film in his place. Stockwell‘s directorial credits include directed the action comedy sequels Cat Run and Cat Run 2, in addition to his latest action adventure thriller, In The Blood starring mixed-martial artist and actress, Gina Carano, so it appears he may have something to go on for genre fans intrigued by what a remake of an American classic would look like with Moussi in the lead.

Previously portrayed by superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme in the 1989 original directed by Mark DiSalle and David Worth, Moussi inherits the role of Kurt Sloan whose mission to avenge the death of his champion brother, Eric, at the hands of merciless Muay Thai fighter, Tong Po, verges him onto a spiritual path of self-discovery and true strength while undergoing a rigorous training regimen under his late brother’s master, Xian Chow. Following Jaa’s and Adkins’ departure, actor and mixed-martial artist Dave Bautista (Guardians Of The Galaxy, Riddick) is currently lined-up to play the main villain with a role to be determined for actor and athlete Georges St. Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), while other cast announcements remain pending.

Ted Field is producing for Radar Pictures with Dimitri Logothetis and Nick Celozzi also producing, while Mike Weber and Peter Meyer will executive produce as well as The Exchange’s O’Shea along with Jeff Bowler and Nat McCormick. 

Stick around for more updates.

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AFM 2014: Character Posters And Three Featurettes Arrive For VENGEANCE OF AN ASSASSIN

AFM 2014: Character Posters And Three Featurettes Arrive For VENGEANCE OF AN ASSASSIN

Late filmmaker and Thai action icon Panna Rittikrai departed us back in July. But in turn, he made sure he went out doing what he loved most, which, for all intents and purposes, included entertaining the hell out of us both in front, as well as behind the camera. As such, his parting gift, now in the form of Vengeance Of An Assassin, looks to do one of either of those things, with action star Dan Chupong who literally comes in with guns (and feet) blazing in several new behind-the-scenes clips for the new film.

Chupong stars as Natee, an assassin whose assignment to kill the daughter of a local businessman goes awry when he refuses, all the while secretly infiltrating the same circles where he suspects to find the people responsible for the death of his parents. This plot is a perfect set up for just the kind of film fans can enjoy with Chupong at the center of it all, having previously worked with Rittikrai on films like Dynamite Warrior and the 2004 remake of Born To Fight. Moreover, it’s also refreshing to see Chupong back on screen, having been such a big deal upon news of the film’s developmental existence a few years ago.

The film will make its American Film Market in Santa Monica this Friday at 3:00pm Broadway Cineplex #3, and on the following Sunday at 5:00pm Doubletree #2 before heading to Thai screens at the tail end of next week, so with any luck, we’ll learn more about this exciting film soon enough. In the meantime, Twitchfilm shared two featurettes you can view just below, to which we also have a third just beneath that presents quite an interesting (meaning painful and scorching) game of soccer. Ouch…just ouch.

Chupong is joined by Nattawut Boonrabsap, Ping Lumprapleng, Thana Sinprasat, ML.Sureewan Suriyong, Nisachol Tuomsoongnern and Master Xi Fu. Watch the vids below and check out some of the latest character posters as well just beneath!

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Charlie Hunnam In Training For Thai Prison Fight Drama, A PRAYER BEFORE DAWN

The film is also pushing a little extra for authenticity on top of Hunnam’s training with Jean-Stephane Sauvaire in the director’s chair; casting details are pending as things stand, although it is currently being said the cast may include former inmates who were once Muay Thai champions themselves. In addition, Nick Saltrese’s screenplay will illustrate that of a crossover in genres towing the line between Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive and Gareth Huw Evans’s The Raid, which could grant this prison thriller something healthily balanced and promising on top of being an enthralling drama. That said, leave it to Sauvaire in his own words to offer a bit more insight. “A Prayer Before Dawn is – at one and the same time – a true story, a prison drama, a survival movie, a desperate love story and an extraordinary tale of redemption.” he says. “Above all, it is a poignant and uniquely human story.”.

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The New Trailer For Panna Ritrikrai's VENGEANCE OF AN ASSASSIN Will Set You On Fire!

The New Trailer For Panna Ritrikrai's VENGEANCE OF AN ASSASSIN Will Set You On Fire!

It was on an April day early last year that the internet first heard murmurs of the production of a new potentially blowout action thriller, Vengeance Of An Assassin, a film that would evidenly reunite the now-late legendary Thai action icon and director Panna Rittikrai, and leading man Dan Chupong. The film follows their previous work together on Chupong‘s starring role 2004 remake flick, Born To Fight, in addition to the 2007 action adventure, Dynamite Warrior, two films among a handful of actioners as the Thai film industry gained more popularity since actor Tony Jaa broke out with Ong Bak in 2003.

As of late though, it feels like there has been a bit of a sea-change as these types of action films are taking a lot more time to come out. Regarding Vengeance Of An Assassin, info has been broadly scant about this movie since Twitchfilm spoke on it in 2013 before an extended synopsis was finally made public due to the film’s festival sales circulation. Well, 2014 is nearing its end, and it will be ten days from now as the Thai industry mourns the three months since Rittikrai passed away, sending out a shockwave of grief to those who still continue to share their appreciation and love for the work he has done and the quality and standards he has been known to live up to, breaking barriers and setting high benchmarks for death-defying stuntwork and thrilling martial arts action sequences.

As such, Sahamongkol Film is now offering a look into these very scenes with a brand new trailer now available, in addition to two new posters. The trailer release may be a breath of fresh air for the niche geared toward spectacular Thai action. On a much larger scale, however, it feels much more like a fitting tribute to a filmmaker who, for all obvious intents and purposes, has dedicated his life to his craft, and has done so in a hugely memorable way.

SYNOPSIS:

Being an assassin has its rules – always keep your eyes on your target, be strict on your mission, execute without any hesitation and there is no room for negotiation. Each killer has his own background, but all of them have trade in their blood and losses. For Natee, his only reason in becoming an assassin and leaving behind his brother and his uncle is to find the truth about his parents’ death. It is the issue that he has always doubted and felt that uncle Thanom was hiding something from him. While protecting Ploy, a niece of a local business man from a group of assassins, he was asked to kill the girl instead.

Vengeance Of An Assassin is produced by Somsak Techaratanaprasert, with Chupong joined by Nattawut Boonrabsap, Ping Lumprapleng, Thana Sinprasat, ML.Sureewan Suriyong, Nisachol Tuomsoongnern and Master Xi Fu. The film opens in Thailand on November 13,  2014, with releases in other Asian territories to follow between now and early 2015.

Check out the trailer, posters and other set pics below!

H/T: Twitchfilm, MThai

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Y2K Films Presents: 1 FIGHT/3 STYLES

Premiere Thai stunt professional, actor and martial artist Kazu Patrick Tang is taking a step-by-step approach to becoming a film director as of late. It’s a great trend for someone heavily crafted in cinematic stunts and performamce martial arts in films like Raimund Huber’s Dragonwolf and Rashane Limtrakul’s Raging Phoenix to name a few, which could mean some awesome prospects in action films.

It was last year that Tang relased his debut action short, Marksmen, featuring martial arts action performers, actors Brahim Achabbakhe and Ron Smoorenburg (Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear, Tekken 2: Kazuya’s Revenge). The shortfilm became a modest hit online within the niche, and ultimately, Tang’s first foray into a career in filmmaking that will hopefully flourish with the right people and opportunities to come his way.

That said, Tang is currently in progress with developing new test fights and shorts for future release, and just posted his newest experimental short, 1 Fight/3 Styles. The mini-project marks another culmination of Southeast Asia’s top film talents, with performances Charlie Ruedpokanon, and Jawed El-Berni, with all three people exhibiting their own styles of editing – another aspect of being a stunt professional, and a great tool to play with for anyone working in film.

Ruedpokanon is also part of the newly established Thai based stunt team, The Action Guys, lately involved in the upcoming release of SPL 2: A Time For Consequences, with Tony Jaa and Wu Jing. Subscribe to their page by CLICKING HERE, and feel free to subscribe to Tang‘s channel, Y2K Films, in the embed below.

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THE ONG BAK TRILOGY Home DVD Release Gets A New Trailer

ONG BAK: THAI WARRIOR, Tony Jaa, the fighting superstar destined for film’s martial arts pantheon, (New York Daily News) electrifies as a religious young warrior who swears an oath of peace. But when a gangster steals the head of Ong-Bak, his village’s deity, Ting heads for Bangkok to get it back. In a film Time Magazine calls exhilarating with relentless, fever-pitched action free of stunt doubles and special effects, Jaa performs some of the most awesome physical feats ever seen on film. 

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In Memoriam: PANNA RITTIKRAI

In Memoriam: PANNA RITTIKRAI

Our hearts go out to the friends and family of actor, martial artist, stunt coordinator and all-around filmmaker Panna Rittikrai, best known for his intergral role in helping bring Thai action cinema to the forefront of the film industry between his early career as a stuntman and an action director and performer as of late, including the Thai action classic Born To Fight and its 2004 remake, Ong Bak, Tom Yum Goong 1 and 2, Dynamite Warrior, Bangkok Knockout, and many more.

Rittikrai‘s condition was a surprise to me several months ago (I can’t remember when). I chose not to speak too much on it until I learned all the facts and even now, not everything is clear on his diagnosis how long he has been ill, except for those closer to him with a more informed position on the issue; The official reports and posts I’ve read thusfar indicated an unnamed disease in addition to today’s news of liver failure.

Ironically, and sadly, today also marks the 41st anniversary since the passing of another trailblazer in martial arts cinema, Bruce Lee.

Panna Rittikrai
2/17/61 — 7/20/14.

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[UPDATED] EXCLUSIVE: Tony Jaa And Wu Jing Trade Blows In A New Set Photo From S.P.L. 2: A TIME FOR CONSEQUENCES

International action hero Tony Jaa is currently finished filming his role in his forthcoming Hollywood debut with director James Wan in Fast And Furious 7, and is back overseas to complete work on his upcoming role in director Soi Cheang‘s new film, SPL 2: A Time For Consequences. The film is just one of a handful of projects that are currently brewing for the Thai actor who has been reinventing himself through his official Facebook page, connecting with fans and showcasing his improvements in English, a sign of great prospects to come as he expands his horizons as one of the most prominent action stars of today. To say the least, I suspect some surprises may be on the way.

That said, Film Combat Syndicate is proud to introduce an exclusive official HQ set photo with Jaa and fellow action superstar Wu Jing from the set of the film which you can check out below (click for larger viewing)

Courtesy of co-producer Mike Selby and Sun Entertainment Culture Ltd.

Sun Entertainment Culture Ltd. is producing the thematic sequel to the 2005 hit film, SPL (a.k.a. Kill Zone) which now sees Jaa in the role of Chai, a Thai prison guard who sets out on an epic mission to help his dying daughter’s only match for a bone marrow transplant, a determined Hong Kong detective named Kit, take down a nearly untouchable crimeboss. The film is written by Champions: A Love Story scribe Jill Leung, with fight choreography by Dion Lam (Doom, The Storm Riders), and actors Simon Yam, Max Zhang and special guest star Louis Koo rounding out the currently-named official cast.

Hong Kong distributor Bravos will be releasing the film in 2015 with further release news pending. In the meantime, foll Jaa‘s cinematic adventures through his official Facebook page, with more news to come!

UPDATE (7.9.14): Jaa has unveiled a second set pic from the upcoming film which you can view below (click for larger viewing):

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