Tony Jaa will star in the tentatively-named ‘Muay Thai Trilogy,’ according to Deadline’s Sara Merican on Wednesday. The China-Thailand co-production will have director Yuthlert Sippapak (Friday Killer) on board for all three films with locations in both territories.
Incorporating Thai history and culture, the trilogy of films follows a talented young fighter named Suriya (played by Jaa) who travels back in time to the Ayutthaya period. He must learn to hone his skills and overcome limitations in order to save the king from assassination and then return to his era. As Suriya navigates the past and tries to save the kingdom, he must also contend with the potential consequences of altering the timeline.
China-based Stars Collective’s Peter Luo (Malignant, Scary Stories to Tell in The Dark) and co-CEO Nancy Xu will join Sippapak’s Film Odyssey Co. Ltd. in financing and producing the films with Jaa also exec producing.
“This trilogy is a journey of self-discovery with powerful and relatable themes that resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds,” said Luo. “Yuthlert has a brilliant vision that we’re looking forward to bringing to life with Tony.”
Xu said: “Our Muay Thai trilogy checks so many boxes relating to what audiences want in big, eventized movies. Our mission is to make this trilogy an epic global phenomenon and we believe we have the optimal foundational pieces with Yuthlert and Tony and will continue to add talent in the coming weeks.”
Jaa added: “As the executive producer and star of the film, I have worked closely with the director and the rest of the team to ensure that we create a film that not only showcases the physical prowess of the sport, but also the mental and emotional strength that it takes to be a true fighter. We believe that our Muay Thai trilogy has the potential to be a truly unique and inspiring film that will resonate with audiences around the world. Our goal is to create a story that is both entertaining and meaningful, and that showcases the incredible talent of the cast and crew involved.”
Jaa’s been rocketing his way through the industry since his heyday as a burgeoning stuntman and actor under the stewardship of Thai screen stunt legend Panna Rittikrai, before breaking out in Prachya Pinkaew’s Ong Bak and putting Thai action cinema on the map at the turn of the century. His credits, next to films like Ong Bak 2 and 3, and both installments of The Protector, also expand Hollywood and other Chinese markets with titles like Furious 7, Triple Threat, xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage, Monster Hunter, Master Z, Detective Chinatown 3, and Well Go USA’s Striking Rescue.
Read more at Deadline.
Lead image: Tony Jaa in “Striking Rescue” (Well Go USA)