MMA star and actor Cung Le’s continued foray into film has been a bit more quiet in recent memory, even having at one point circulated a proof-of-concept titled Codename: The Dragon through his website. That particular project remains on ice as far as I can tell, while all eyes are now glaring at Le’s current activity since the summer promoting Evoke Entertainment Group’s The Target which is on deck to begin filming very soon.
For this, Le just unveiled a behind-the-scenes featurette highlighting the casting call and training for the film. Le is also producing the film via with actress Veronica Ngo who is sharing the weight via her Studio68 banner which housed the production of her forthcoming February release, Furie, from director Le Van Kiet.
Inspired by true events, Vietnamese Special Agents Manh and Ana head a multinational task force “SCTF” (Special Crimes Task Force). Closing in on one of Asia’s worst trafficking syndicates, the team finds themselves entangled in an ever expanding conflict. Manh and Ana are quickly hurled into an international manhunt as political tensions simmer and they themselves become THE TARGET. It will test the limits and skills of the SCTF as they follow the evidence deeper into the dangerous underworld, facing new foes at each turn and each other.
The Target is still racking up its muscle both on-screen and off. The official website is currently indicating its hopes to add Daniel Wu who is now shooting crime thriller, A Penny, from director Lau Ho Leung. Jackie Chan stunt team member Vi-Dan Tran is attached as director of photography resulting from his stellar camerawork and editing on the aforementioned Wu’s AMC series, Into The Badlands, as well as up-and-comer, actor and Wing Chun expert Peter Pham.
Other screen talent is also on hand to speak about the film in the video with Ngo and especially Le, for whom The Target marks an out-and-out effort to up the ante here for its international appeal.
Vietnam is especially a hard nut to crack like many areas of the world when it comes to local film productions seeking broader attention. Given how Le and Ngo have proliferated themselves in the last ten years with their own respective credits on Bodyguards And Assassins, The Man With The Iron Fists, The Rebel, Bright and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it could help The Target with its fertility in the sales markets.
Take a look and keep your eyes open for The Target with updates between now and 2019.
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Native New Yorker. Lover of all things pizza, chocolate, pets, and good friends. Karaoke hero. Left of center. Survivor. Fond supporter of cult, obscure and independent cinema - especially fond of Asian movies and global action cinema. Author of the bi-weekly Hit List. Founder and editor of Film Combat Syndicate. Still, very much, only human.
