wu jing

WOLF WARRIOR 2 Howls Later This Month In The UK With A New Box Set!

Give or take a few bucks, China’s box office earnings reportedly totaled up to $8.6 billion dollars since 2016. The tail end of that growth saw a rise of $2 billion dollars last year with action star Wu Jing’s Wolf Warrior 2 contributing a gross of $860 million dollars (ten times that of its predecessor). Needless to say, a threequel is definitely happening an you can certainly expect this site along with others to keep an eye out. In the meantime, both the hit 2015 military actioner which saw Wu play a PLA sniper on a mission of redemption in the face of evil mercenaries invading China, and its sequel which saw our hero tackle a group of terrorists in a fictional South African territory, is heading for a cool new box set from Cine Asia UK. China’s deadliest Special Forces operative, known as the Wolf Warrior (Wu Jing – […]

ON THAT NIGHT…WHILE WE DREAM Brings Martial Arts Stardom Together In The First Official Shortfilm Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

At around this time next week, expect to hear more from the rumblings in China with Alibaba bigwig, Jack Ma, and his latest filmic musings with a kung fu line-up of big-name stars and athletes. We now have the first official trailer announcing On That Night…While We Dream, aptly hailed on poster art with the characters, Gong Shu Dao, a martial arts prose meaning Guard And Defense. A celebration of Chinese culture via martial arts is the reported goal of the new shortfilm project filmed in late Summer – a personal one at that for Ma, a disciple himself of a 19th generation Master descendant of Chens’ Taiji. That goal now reaches closer with a promo that highlights some of the work from our cast with footage from Gordon Chan’s Call Of Heroes, Donnie Yen as Ip Man, Tony Jaa in The Protector 2 and Ma’s Taijizen International founding partner […]

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GONG SHU DAO: Asian Film Giants Line-Up For A Celebration Of Kung Fu And Culture In The Latest Banner

Lee B. Golden III

It’s not everyday someone can get more than a handful of major Asian film stars and celebrated athletes in the same room to make movie history. Alibaba executive chairman and founder Jack Ma just happens to be the man who can do just that and the power he wields has since been on full display with the latest banner reveal for upcoming ten minute shortfilm, Gong Shou Dao. Action legend Jet Li forwarded the artwork via his official website and social media branches, featuring himself with Ma and a who’s who of film and sports headliners ahead of its promotion on November 11 during Alibaba’s Global Shopping Festival. The title itself (clearly advanced from its previous Master theme) takes its influences from Taiji, Kung Fu, and Martial Arts – the former notably being a paramount focus of Li’s own shared health and lifestyle platform with Ma at TaijiZen.com. “We all have […]

MASTER Brings Its Own Triple Threat Together With Donnie Yen, Wu Jing And Jet Li

Lee B. Golden III

The past few weeks have been stirring the fan fervor a bit between Wu Jing’s current Hong Kong run with hit sequel, Wolf Warrior 2, as well as Donnie Yen in lieu of his upcoming crime drama, Chasing The Dragon. Both names circulated the rumormill in hyperbolic fanboy fashion next to that of action star Jet Li (League Of Gods) who himself scaled back substantially on physically demanding roles in recent years due to his own health. Whatever the case may be now, of course there’s a photo flying around on social media with no context to it whatsoever, and doing nothing to ease the curiousity with specifics. For this, we now have some much-needed clarity with news of the new shortfilm, Master, now in production with Yen, Wu and Li involved. Unknown are the respective degrees of involvement while it is also reported that Jack Ma invited the trio […]

WOLF WARRIOR 2 Lands An August 4 U.K. Release!

Lee B. Golden III

Starting this Friday will be a limited theatrical rollout in sync with China’s Friday release of star and director Wu Jing’s new movie, Wolf Warrior 2, in two English territories. Well Go USA’s release will be this Friday and will then follow through with a U.K. release a week later on August 4 from Cine Asia and CMC Pictures. China’s deadliest Special Forces operative, known as the Wolf Warrior (Wu Jing – Call of Heroes, Kill Zone), hopes to settle into a quiet life by the sea. But after he crosses paths with a ruthless band of mercenaries, overseen by a volatile and sadistic leader (Frank Grillo – Warrior, Captain America: Civil War), he must reaffirm his duty as a soldier to put an end to the terrorizing of innocent civilians. Fists, bullets, tanks and missiles will fly in this tour-de-force of bravura action filmmaking, all culminating in a climactic […]

Watch The North American Trailer For WOLF WARRIOR 2!

Lee B. Golden III

Action star and filmmkaer Wu Jing’s sophomore outing, Wolf Warrior 2 is getting a same-day theatrical release in the U.S. and China on July 28. I would say next to Well Go U.S.A.’s forthcoming release of The Villainess next to any number of hot titles on the way, this pretty much completes my summer. The Wolf Warrior is back, bigger and badder than ever, in this action-packed sequel to the 2015 blockbuster hit. With his career in tatters, China’s deadliest Special Forces operative has settled into a quiet life on the sea. But when he crosses paths with a sadistic band of mercenaries terrorizing innocent civilians, he must reaffirm his duty as a soldier and save the day once again. Fists (and bullets, tanks, missiles and much more) will fly in this adrenaline-fueled tour de force of bravura action filmmaking, all culminating into a climatic battle between the Wolf Warrior […]

The New Trailer For WOLF WARRIOR 2 Is All About The Click-Click-Boom!

Lee B. Golden III

Lest we lose track of the trailer profusion for Wu Jing’s forthcoming sequel thriller, Wolf Warrior 2, a fourth has now made its way online ahead of its July 28 release. It’s a three-week wait until the film’s open in China so one might expect to see a lot more from the from’s current campaign and with some hopeful tidbits on its release. Wu makes his return following the 2015 blockbuster as a maverick sniper who takes his next fight to a wartorn African country pitting him against actor Frank Grillo. You get a few glimpses of that action along with a heavy-handed dose of unrelenting villainy from Grillo and co-star, action actor Aaron Toney, as well as loads of slickness and coolness between the editing, shots, money shots and perpetual gun cocking all to let you know that this is going to be one cool action movie for your […]

The Newest Trailer For WOLF WARRIOR 2 Ensues In An All-Out Tank War

Lee B. Golden III

With the first having become a box office hit, the best and obvious direction was a sequel with what now lies ahead for the upcoming release of Wu Jing action thriller, Wolf Warrior 2. Wu stars and directs with a story that sees him reprising his role as a maverick-minded sharpshooter swept once again into battle in a wartorn village in Africa between Government and rebel forces. Wu is joined by his fellow Legendary Assassin star, actress Celina Jade who plays a doctor aiding in the treatment of Ebola victims in the region with a production further emboldened by Hollywood’s auspices. Kingdom series star Frank Grillo is assuredly taking the mantle here for the villain role, and with actress Nan Yu reprising her role from the first film in addition to actors Gang Wu and Han Zhang also starring. Wolf Warrior 2 is due on July 28 in China. Watch […]

Wu Jing Reports For Duty In The New WOLF WARRIOR 2 Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Action star and actor Wu Jing’s Wolf Warrior was a box office hit in 2015. Going forward, it was anyone’s guess what a sequel would entail until it was made clear early last year that a follow-up would come packaged with some major Hollywood muscle. That element fashions itself accordingly in the wake of our first official full trailer for Wolf Warrior 2 with Wu front and centers as he faces off with more enemies in a fictitious war-torn African setting. Newly added are Wu’s Legendary Assassin cohort Celina Jade, as well as Kingdom series star and Captain America 2 & 3 co-star, actor Frank Grillo, actors Han Geng and Gang Wu. Rounding out the cast is, well… a montage of gun battles, explosions, close-ups, more tanks, even more tanks, slo-mo bullet animation, AC/DC, Wu Jing kicking ass and chewing out a few English words, intense stare-downs, hugging, and just […]

Wu Jing Flips Frank Grillo A Double In The First Teaser For WOLF WARRIOR 2

Lee B. Golden III

It’s a rewarding thing to see action star and filmmaker Wu Jing (SPL 2, Call Of Heroes) back in the fray since the strenuous production of his solo directorial debut, Wolf Warrior, took an already accumulating toll on his physical health to the point of needing surgery. Seeing him bounce back as he has, that he’s come back to conquer the sequel is telling of just how much he probably loves the film property, and perhaps no less with the helpful potential forseen by the first film’s box office success two years ago. Thus, with the behind-the-scenes bridging of shared production muscle between China and the U.S., Wolf Warrior 2 has arisen online with new assets for its promotional campaign ahead of its July 28 release. Specific plot details are nil but the first teaser and stills are making the rounds, setting the stage in a war-torn African country for […]

Review: CALL OF HEROES (2016) Fights And Flies Without Feigning

Lee B. Golden III

I sat down to Call Of Heroes eager to see the action direction from legendary film star Sammo Hung. And let it be a testament to bloated expectations that about twenty minutes in, I thought I was going to be disappointed. Allow me to explain. It’s the thing with wuxia for me, fantasy based martial arts that succeeds or fails like the extremes of a pendulum. It’s either choreographed so well that it’s awesome, or it reaches the level of standard and, sadly, you are made so uncomfortably aware of wires and post production work that the crew might as well be on camera in the scene. Call Of Heroes threatened, at first, to arrive like the infamous latter. I remember liking Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword Of Destiny much more than the first one (and probably because of the welcome absence of scenes like the tree “fight” notable much […]

Cine Asia Takes Heed Of Benny Chan’s CALL OF HEROES For VoD, DVD & Blu-Ray In January

Lee B. Golden III

If there were ever an actor worthy of big screen appeal as a villain, instantly it would be actor Louis Koo as the heinous, murdering son of a General in Benny Chan’s latest home release prospect, Call Of Heroes. Action legend Sammo Hung himself directed the action headlining the riveting drama telling of a group of skilled warriors uniting against a coming threat with actors Eddie Peng, Wu Jing, Sean Lau and Liu Kai Chi delivering even more of the film’s best performances. My personal favorite action scene takes place in the second half which takes place on a bridge – a scene also exemplary of how to design action to permeate around the drama, lending further weight and credit to the film’s overall story and script. These are just a few points I’ll leave off here about the film for you to mull over while I’m more than pleased […]

Celina Jade Rejoins Wu Jing For WOLF WARRIORS 2

Lee B. Golden III

There’s a lot happening in the next few years and especially with actor and martial artist Wu Jing who is still in production with his latest sequel offering, Wolf Warriors 2. The film follows up last year’s hit in the wake of a lengthy post-production, thankfully landing the film a nearly $90 million dollar gross in China, making it a Spring blockbuster. Here with Wu tackling the sequel once more as its director and star with a story set in a fictional war-torn African country, the new film is announcing its latest casting addition by way of Variety with actress Celina Jade (The Man With The Iron Fists, Skin Trade), reuniting with her star since initially working together on the 2006 movie, Legendary Assassin which Wu co-directed with the film’s action director, Nicky Li; Li directed the action once more on Wolf Warriors with Wu making his solo directorial debut […]

KILL ZONE 2 – A Conflict…

Lee B. Golden III

Full disclosure, before we begin… I watched this film with two different minds. It was a Jekyll/Hyde experience. One, incidentally, that the film itself captures in one of my favorite scenes. It is between the two principal characters on which the onion layered narrative hinges it’s caboose, and it happens in a dark, claustrophobic location; a prison cell. Tony Jaa’s character Chatchai (featuring prominently in the film, …sometimes), and Wu Jing’s character Chan Chi-Kit are having a lost in translation moment during which Jaa is attempting to convey some decidedly important information to Jing. Only, the two men speak different languages (Chitchai speaks Thai, Chi-Kit speaks Cantonese) and are forced to improvise with the use of a cellphone translator. The scene is the case I would present in court in my own defence against the TO THE HASHI my Hyde persona so eagerly sought to write. It is transcripted all […]

WOLF WARRIOR 2 Howls For Actor Frank Grillo

Lee B. Golden III

Powerhouse film and production duo Anthony and Joe Russo made a pact earlier this year to help sink their feet a bit further in the China film industry with their newly-established Anthem & Song banner, and as such, they now have vested interests in several products. Thus, their current prospect, Wolf Warrior 2 is now active and with none other than action star and actor Wu Jing returning to the dual roles of filmmaker and star, reprising his role from last year’s hit film in which he plays an embattled, rebellious PLA soldier who clashes with a vengeful crimeboss. The film, which will take place this time in a war-torn African country, is part of a trilogy with The Expendables 2 and Wolf Warrior co-star Yu Nan rejoining the film as well, and with the Russo serving as producers next to producer Lv Jianmin who produced the first film. Part […]

GIVEAWAY: Win A Blu-Ray Copy Of Well Go USA’s KILL ZONE 2 Starting Today!

Lee B. Golden III

UPDATE (7/15/16): This contest has expired. Well Go USA is proudly releasing director Soi Cheang’s Kill Zone 2 on DVD and Blu-Ray on July 19. That’s a bit far off from this write-up, but Well Go USA is humbly obliging three lucky Film Combat Syndicate readers with an early chance to score a free Blu-Ray copy by then, making this our SECOND giveaway attributed to the movie since our prize pack contest in May. Simply e-mail us at filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com with KILL ZONE 2 CONTEST in the subject header and tell us your favorite fight scene from any Wu Jing or Tony Jaa film. All entries are exclusive to U.S. residents only and must be turned in by July 15. Winners will be announced the following day. Good luck! In this giddily frenetic follow-up (though not a sequel) to modern martial arts epic Kill Zone (aka SPL: Sha Po Lang), action icons […]

CALL OF HEROES Gets A Brand New Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

If there’s one thing I’m glad about while writing about director Benny Chan’s newest period actioner, Call Of Heroes, is the guarantee that it’s coming abroad as well. The film is just less than two months out from its release and host to a raft of fine acting and action talents such as Eddie Peng, Sean Lau, Louis Koo and Wu Jing leading the story of a village in 1914, wrought with danger when its protectors arrest the son of a warlord committing vicious acts of murder. Looking at the trailers of which there have been three so far, there’s no mistaking that the overall tone of this movie is going to be an enthralling one. It’s easily become one of my most anticipated titles of the year among others, and I certainly look forward to viewing it myself on the big screen when it opens in due time. In […]

Check Out The DVD And Blu-Ray Art For Well Go USA’s KILL ZONE 2

Lee B. Golden III

Director Soi Cheang’s “giddily frenetic” Kill Zone 2 officially has a U.S. DVD and Blu-Ray release date attached. The film is still available on VoD as well but however which way you feel, this will still make a great addition to your collection, especially if there are features, and indeed there are a few. That, and of course you have the added benefit of watching Wu Jing and Tony Jaa fight on screen for the first time. There’s a third film in development now and one can only hope that its cast will be of equal screenfighting caliber, if not better, given the pedigree so far featuring the two legends from the 2004 film by Wilson Yip, on top of a terrific story to boot. Check out the press announcement and artwork below for the July home release! PLANO, TEXAS. (June 14, 2016) – In this giddily frenetic follow-up (though […]

Watch The Newest Trailer For Benny Chan's CALL OF HEROES

Lee B. Golden III

There’s no mistake in asserting that director Benny Chan’s Call Of Heroes is one that fans will be clammoring for in the coming months. With action Sammo Hung directing the ferocious action sequences and a cast led by notable thesps like Sean Lau, Louis Koo, Wu Jing and Eddie Peng, what we currently see in the trailers looks all the more promising, making this moreso a matter of time than anything. August 18 is the date in Hong Kong when we will finally our heroes called upon as they defend their village against a tyrannical warlord amid the crimes of a murderous, unwanted visitor being jailed for his crimes. Check out the trailer below, and while you’re at it, be sure to snag a look at the various character posters beneath! View post on imgur.com

The Russos' Are Looking To Get Involved In WOLF WARRIOR 2

Lee B. Golden III

The 2014 release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier was an explosive piece of work from directors Anthony and Joe Russo, and one that definitively put the two on the map for attachment to other projects. Needless to say, they’ve earned quite a bit of notoriety, perhaps enough to stake a claim in other markers as well, and they did exactly that when it was announced last month that the two would root themselves in both Los Angeles and Beijing under their Anthem & Song banner with the goal of producing films for the Chinese market. “We made a lot of friends on that trip and just fell in love with Chinese cinema,” said Joe Russo according to THR. “We made a bunch of personal trips back to Beijing to nurture and grow those relationships in the film business there.” For this, it comes with the distinct and awesome pleasure […]