zara phythian

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My Last Words On A Convicted Child Predator

MAY 17, 2022: Film blogging is great…well, it can be. Even if it isn’t the most paying gig. I do this out of a certain love along with a kind of necessity for some fulfillment, and part of that includes getting to meet some of the people I write about on this website which I’m privileged to share with Eileen Cruz and the rest of my PopGeeks counterparts. Leave it to a chance meeting one evening back in early 2016 right here in New York City with two of the co-stars of Scott Derrickson’s Doctor Strange, including now former celebrity martial artist and actress Zara Phythian while at a Starbucks (and no, I’m not a Starbucks person, but the location was the most convenient place at the time, and I’m not a fan of their lattes). I thought I struck gold when I got to sit for a bit with […]

ACCIDENT MAN 2 Casts Actress And Martial Artist Zara Phythian

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Scott Adkins took to Instagram on Friday to share a story post introducing actress Zara Phythian (Tribal: Get Out Alive, upcoming Unit 19) as cast member on the current production of Accident Man 2. Shooting is currently underway in Malta for the sequel which reunites both screen talents for the first time since starring as villains alongside Mads Mikkelsen opposite Benedict Cumberbatch in Scott Derrickson’s Marvel’s Doctor Strange (2016). “Zara is one of the best martial artists I’ve had the pleasure to work with. It’s an absolute dream, it makes everything so much easier to be with someone that can just get the job done,” Adkins said, alluding to a fight scene they were filming at the time. He added, “This film, action packed to the max. It will not disappoint.” to which Phythian replied, “Not at all!” Sibling film duo George and Harry Kirby are making their directorial […]

Zara Phythian in TRIBAL: GET OUT ALIVE (2020)

Review: Matt Routledge’s TRIBAL: GET OUT ALIVE Cuts To The Bone With Smartly-Crafted Action And Horror, And A Stunning Martial Arts Star Ripe For The Occasion

Lee B. Golden III

A freshman work from a mutifaceted filmmaker with close to eighteen years in his belt as a stunt performer, Tribal: Get Out Alive culminates a milestone effort from Matt Routledge in his feature directing debut. He reunites with actress Zara Phythian and actor Ross O’Hennessy, each having shared the set a few times in the last two decades with each other, thus contributing to a micro-budgeted action horror production that stands on solid ground thanks to like-minds, and with a filmmaker who has clearly done his homework. Routledge directs from a script by Johnny Walker, with a story that centers on elite security service agents Caitlin (Phythian) and Brad (O’Hennessy), as they’re assigned to clear out the farmhouse on the rural property recently acquired by the late owner’s heir, Richard Kenning (Thomas Dodd). Joined by other agents as well as two police constables and the arrival of Kenning, whose creepy […]

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Don’t Miss The Official Trailer For Matt Routledge’s IDTV Action Fest Entry, TRIBAL: GET OUT ALIVE, Now Available In The U.S.!

Lee B. Golden III

Debut director Matt Routledge’s new actioner, Tribal: Get Out Alive, is already enjoying a welcome disc release in the U.S. as of last month. Evolutionary Films is also making way for its UK release beginning August 17, though not before getting in some views under the auspices of this year’s forthcoming online addition of the Iron Dragon TV Action Fest. Elite military personnel Caitlin Ross retires from service after suffering from PTSD. Along with former team member and close friend Brad Johnson, they opted for the ‘easy life’ and now lead a small security firm. The company are hired by young, troublesome millionaire Richard Kenning to clear and secure the land and property he has recently inherited. Rumours and stories surrounding the land and buildings are dismissed until people start disappearing and the team end up locked in with no escape. It soon becomes apparent they are being hunted and […]

TRANSIT 17 Review: Guy Bleyaert’s Modest Zombie Action Thriller Falls Short Of Its Ambitions

Lee B. Golden III

The UK is a dystopia, ravaged by a virus that has seemingly plagued residents with a disease that kills and reanimates them into zombies. Seven years since the fallout is where sophomore director and star Guy Bleyaert’s latest film, Transit 17, begins take off, joining Zara Phythian, Lee A. Charles, Daniel Pala, Kimberly Stahl and John Flanders. Bleyaert flies the flag of militarized sci-fi action and horror amid all the toils and shortcomings of indie fare one could endure, and it’s especially thanks to his dedicated cast and crew that Transit 17 was able to live up to its expected completion, for what it’s worth. The film is boosted by a round of modest and worthwhile performances that measure up next to some of its more ambitious action scenes. Those scenes ultimately occur along the route which a Belgium-based band of resistance fighters are hired to rescue and deliver the […]

TRANSIT 17: Guy Bleyart’s Long-Awaited Sci-Fi Thriller Delivers Firstly With A New Poster

Lee B. Golden III

Nearly five years to the day since this post, The Last Inquisitors helmer Guy Bleyart’s sophmore outing finally hit the straightaway for its last lap with the pending release of dystopian sci-fi actioner, Transit 17. Five years… yep. That’s what going independent is for a feature – the kind that takes years on mininal budget to complete. And not for nothing either with Bleyaert’s efforts now signaling consumers with an official poster hailing from Vision Films. Transit 17 tells of a team of resistance soldiers on a mission to save a young girl who may turn out to be their last hope for a cure to a viral outbreak that’s torn its way throughout Europe. Bleyaert is joined by Zara Phythian (Doctor Strange), Lee Charles (Final Score), Silvio Simac (Transporter 3) and Themo Melikidze (Patriots Day). Peep the poster below and stick around for an official trailer!

Zara Phythian on the set of TRIBAL (2019)

TRIBAL: Clapperboards, Kicks And Fisticuffs Behind The Scenes With Fight Coordinator Nick Khan

Lee B. Golden III

Matt Routledge’s feature directing debut, Tribal, is still fomenting with production while a new behind the scenes featurette is now circulating via the film’s social media page. The feature introduces fight choreographer Nick “Blade” Khan, charged with the action assembly for a cast that lists Zara Phythian (Doctor Strange), Ross O’Henessey (Avengement), Rachel Warren (Horizon) and Thomas Dodd. Tribal centers on two ex-soldiers rebounding from PTSD. When their latest segue to a more quieter life as a security firm lands them a property gig for a troublesome millionaire heir, they’ll be forced to fight for their lives against a mysterious evil force picking their team off one by one. Tribal hails from OTM Film & Wildstyle Production. Follow the film on Facebook here.

TRIBAL: Say Hello To Zara Phythian And Kerry Newton From The Set Of Matt Routledge’s Action Horror Feature Debut

Lee B. Golden III

Oft stunt performer, shortfilm director and actor Matt Routledge can currently be seen on screen taking cinematic beatdowns from Scott Adkins in films such as Accident Man and Avengement. To date, he can also be spotted on set these days on set of his new feature debut, Tribal, which hails from OTM Film & Wildstyle Production and stars Zara Phythian (Doctor Strange), Ross O’Henessey (Avengement), Rachel Warren (Horizon) and Thomas Dodd. Elite military personnel Caitlin Ross retires from service after suffering from PTSD. Along with former team member and close friend Brad Johnson, they opted for the ‘easy life’ and now lead a small security firm. The company are hired by young, troublesome millionaire Richard Kenning to clear and secure the land and property he has recently inherited. Rumours and stories surrounding the land and buildings are dismissed until people start disappearing and the team end up locked in with […]

DRAGON KINGDOM: Simon Wells’ Latest Fantasy Action Sequel Out Now In The UK

Lee B. Golden III

Director Simon Wells’ latest sword-and-shield fantasy thriller underwent its share of title changes. Now brandishing the title Dragon Kingdom following suit from last year’s Knights Of The Damned, the film is now available to on iTunes in the UK with a DVD release also in tow for January. To save their Kingdom from the Dark Lord’s army, a group of warriors must travel through the Forbidden lands fighting the fearsome monsters of the Dark Kingdom, a land that swallows all who enter, in order to rescue their King. ‘Dragon Kingdom’ is an action-packed adventure featuring dragons, monsters and ferocious battles. A U.S. release is also in store courtesy of High Octane Pictures in the coming year with a new and returning cast that lists actors Ross O’Hennessy and Ben Loyd-Holmes, actresses Rebecca Dyson-Smith, Zara Phythian, Jessica-Jane Stafford, Jemma Moore and actor Mike Mitchell.

OUTLAWED: Adam Collins Soldiers On In The Official U.S. Trailer (updated)

Lee B. Golden III

Nowadays you’ll find Adam Collins (Transformers: The Last Kingdom) proudly touting his recent creative interests behind the lens for upcoming action thriller, Outlawed. The former Royal Marines Commando turned career actor and stuntman makes his writing/directorial feature debut with Luke Radford, joined furthrr raft of Royal British veterans co-starring for the new thriller. A Royal Marines Commando uncovers evidence that could bring down a corrupt official and put him behind bars for life. When his childhood sweetheart is kidnapped, his mission is to rescue her and let nothing stand in his way. Rounding out the cast are Jessica Norris, Ian Hitchens, Zara Phythian (Doctor Strange), Tina Harris (Happy Valley) and actor Steven Blades (All The Devil’s Men). Collins is also donating 100% of the ticket proceeds devoted to The Royal British Legion and Combat Stress charities to support veterans afflicted by war overseas following its Cineworld Nottingham premiere and limited […]

KNIGHTS OF THE DAMNED: ‘Order Of Knights’ Franchise Hails Sequel Development With Actress Zara Phythian, Film Campaign In China This Summer

Lee B. Golden III

Love movies and martial arts and plan on being in China anytime soon? In that case, you might be keen on catching up with twice-winning Martial Arts Woman of the Year winner, actress Zara Phythian when she joins Wing Chun Grandmaster Samuel Kwok to advance current and upcoming film projects under their OTM film production banner. You can click here to read more about the event currently setting the stage at the XiQiaoshan National Arts Film Studio in Foshan, China, coinciding with progress on the forthcoming sequel pending a July shoot to follow-up the recently-wrapped production of the new fantasy adventure, Knights Of The Damned. Freshman helmer Simon Wells makes his directorial debut with Phythian joining fellow lead cast Ross O’Hennessy, Adrian Bouchet, Silvio Simac and producer/creator Ben-Loyd Holmes. 170 years ago the realm of Nazroth was in chaos. A time of vicious civil war and sorcery that tore the idyllic world […]

TRANSIT 17: Soldiers Battle The Apocalypse In The First Official Teaser!

Lee B. Golden III

Director and actor Guy Bleyart’s latest, Transit 17 is over its obligatory hurdles following an extensive production schedule with finishing touches pending as of March. He’s since released a brand new teaser over the weekend offering a glimpse into the work being put in for the new thriller centered on post-apocalyptic future Europe where a squad of soldiers fight to survive a deadly outbreak. Zombies attack, guns go blazing and fisticuffs ensue with a hard-hitting cast that also enlists martial arts exponents Zara Phythian, Silvio Simac and Lee Charles along with Kimberly Stahl and Daniel Pala among the co-starring. Post-production remains until further notice so check out the newest teaser below!

CANNIBALS AND CARPET FITTERS: James Bushe’s Directorial Debut Lands A First Poster

Lee B. Golden III

UK filmmaker James Bushe is currently leveling up his creds for a stint in feature-length territory following the stellar reception of his 2015 fan film, Predator: Dark Ages. Now seuging into comedic action and horror, his 2014 short, Cannibals And Carpet Fitters is on deck for a hopeful 2017 release with an expanded take on its award-winning predecessor. SYNOPSIS: A group of carpet fitters are sent on a job to an old Country house in the middle of nowhere. However they soon discover it’s a trap set up by the savage, cannibalistic family, The Hannings. The carpet fitters are forced to fight for their lives or risk ending up being the evenings dinner. Unfortunately they are not quite your typical heroes! Returning are actors Darren Sean Enright and Richard Lee O’Donnell who wrote the script. Also starring are Dominic Holmes, Doctor Strange co-star and world martial arts champion, actress Zara […]

DOCTOR STRANGE: Zara Phythian And Friends Take To Cineworld In The UK For The Local Martial Arts Community

Lee B. Golden III

Marvel EXCLUSIVE: Director Scott Derrickson’s latest contribution to the Marvel big screen fanfare, Doctor Strange, finally opened its mystical doors to the U.S. on Friday. The film is also available in the U.K. where it opened late last month and is certainly bolstering the martial arts community some where martial artist and lovely in-person individual to meet, actress Zara Phythian hosted a screening of the film to help raise awareness for the upcoming three-day WMKF World Martial Art Championships in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire starting on November 11. Phythian, who co-stars as one of of the film’s principal villains under actor Mads Mikkelsen, was on hand at the screening to discuss the event along with several other martial artists. She appears at the tail end of the video just beneath the press announcement after the jump, and in tow of others speaking on behalf of the new Marvel film, including stunt performers Rob […]

THE HIT LIST – May 30, 2016

Lee B. Golden III

Having written this on the day of, I’m just glad that my weekend didn’t completely burn me out. Needless to say, I had my work cut out for me but I’m glad to have managed to squeeze in today’s playlists loaded with great stunt and fight work from today’s inspired action cinema creatives. Alas, welcome to another installment of The Hit List, and kicking things off is another new playlist full of electric stunt reels. Shahaub Roudbari kicks things off followed by Canadian traceur and stunt performer, Thomas Lorber. Following that is one of the rare instances I’ll feature a reel that doesn’t use music as the outling backdrop, and that comes from actress and filmmaker PeiPei Alena Yuan – no stranger to stunts and fight choreography having put out some great gems on her channel and making her all the more enjoyable to cover on this site. Deadpool double […]

SUNDAY NIGHT FEVER: An Evening With Katrina Durden And Zara Phythian

Lee B. Golden III

Insert your favorite deep quote about friendship *HERE* I have to say, this past weekend has been the most exciting past few days of 2016 so far. My own journey as a writer currently goes only so far as the folks I’m able to meet when people are in town and have the convenience of some free time to spare for a guy like myself, and I don’t get to meet everyone who arrives in New York City. That said, it was exactly one month ago today when actress Katrina Durden mentioned coming here on work-cation, and I couldn’t pass it up, challenges be damned. Fast forward to the last several days upon her arrival in town with a bunch of other cast and crew folk who were recently working on a certain superhero movie coming out later this year. Syncing our schedules didn’t turn out to be as easy […]

IRON MONK Crowdfunding Campaign Heads To INDIEGOGO!

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and producer Jason Ninh Cao is working hard and heavy these days to help push his latest crowdfunder for the new film Iron Monk, his latest contemporary action drama spiritual paying tribute to the classic kung fu films of yesteryear. The film marks a first for Cao whose longstanding friendship with 34th generation martial arts master and Shaolin monk, Shifu Yanzi Shi, has become the central driving force to bring a new face kung fu cinema, in conjunction with a wholesome message; You can read much more about what Cao had to say on the eve of this year’s Shaolin Cultural Festival in our latest interview by CLICKING HERE. As of Tuesday though, the Iron Monk crowdfunding campaign platform has since been transferred to Indiegogo from its initial Kickstarter page. Crowdsourcing is never easy for virtually anyone, especially for independent filmmakers and producers in this economic climate where new […]

Help Kickstart IRON MONK: My Interview With Actor And Producer Jason Ninh Cao

Lee B. Golden III

[UPDATE: 10/14/14] – The crowdfunding campaign for Iron Monk has officially transferred over to Indiegogo. As such, also links below have been re-edited to link to the Indiegogo campaign page for Iron Monk. The respective answers to the interview questions themselves have not been changed. CLICK HERE and visit the page. Shifu Yanzi Shi stands at the center of the stage with Shaolin Abbott Shi Yongxin and the monks to host this year’s Shaolin Cultural Festival London became a Mecca this month for all things Shaolin in lieu of this year’s 3rd-Annual Shaolin Cultural Festival Chinese Zodiac & Treasure Exhibition. The event kicked off on Wednesday with high-profile guests in VIP attendance for the first few days before its public opening this weekend, with special lectures, kung fu competitions, award ceremonies, exclusive presentations of special projects and much more. That said, pan over actor and producer Jason Ninh Cao (Snatch. […]

NYTVF 2014: UK Action Series, THE FIGHT ROOM To Screen This October + New Poster

Lee B. Golden III

The first trailer for the new UK-produced action series, The Fight Room, went online back in June. Since then, the series has been planning a campaign in the festival circuit and now has a forthcoming opening for the New York Television Festival, which runs from October 20th through the 25th. The pilot trailer is a great piece of action eye candy, especially for fans of British actress and screenfighting siren, Zara Phythian, who can now be seen on the official poster ahead of the festival. Check it out below, as well as Wednesday’s official announcement and trailer from June. To learn more about the New York Television Festival, check out their official website. New action series concept, “The Fight Room” has made the official selection of the presti- gious New York Television Festival.  The premise follows a group of female fighters who are kidnapped from all over the world and […]

Director Guy Bleyaert’s New Action Thriller, TRANSIT 17 Is In Production

Lee B. Golden III

As of August 2, 2014, actor, writer, producer and director Guy Bleyaert began shooting his newest feature film, Transit 17, his second directorial offering from his U.S./Belgium-based production banner, Macromedia Filmworks. A Facebook page is up and running for the movie where fans are able to catch some of the film’s current artwork and production updates from the film’s set in Belgium and Holland. View the production poster below: The film’s cast so far stars two of the U.K.’s finest, lead actor Silvio Simac (Transporter 3, Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing) and lead actress Zara Phythian (Underground, Warrioress). Rounding off the cast are a mix of performers, several whom have worked with Bleyaert before, including Lost TV series co-star Kimberly Stall, as well as Stilian Keli, Brain Slaine, Martin van Maris, Themo Melekidze, Patrick Micheli, Gunther Vanhuysse and Daniel Paba. Filming is currently in its early stages as Simac and […]