Yen Gets An English Lead Role For PRIORITY RUN

Wonders never cease with international action star Donnie Yen, coming off the release of his long awaited Hong Kong action thriller, Special ID, into a longer work list of films to come which include the recently wrapped Last Of The Best from director Teddy Chen and the filming of Iceman 3D: Part 2. On Saturday, Twitch brought an exclusive report which included a major announcement from international sales company Arclight Films for a new Yen action vehicle titled Priority Run to be directed by Troy Nixey, which would possibly bring Yen his first lead role in an English action picture since performing smaller roles and coordinating action sequences on films like Highlander: Endgame, Blade 2 and Shanghai Knights. Other cast members are expected to be announced at the American Film Market in Santa Monica, California next month. Check out the synopsis below:

Set to star fast rising action star Donnie Yen in his first English language movie, PRIORITY RUN takes us on highway to hell ride guarding the worst of the worst convicts as they’re transported to a maximum security facility. But when the prison transport bus is ambushed on a remote stretch of highway by a sinister organization that appears intent on killing them all  for some mysterious motive, the guards face a nightmare dilemma — release the most vicious criminals in the state or allow them to be slaughtered. Outnumbered and outgunned, its the most dangerous convict of them all with whom the guards must forge a precarious alliance with if they have any chance of surviving.

I’m probably not alone on this, but I sincerely hope Yen takes the role. After those three films and eventually getting back into the thick of things with Hong Kong and mainland productions S.P.L., Painted Skin, Flash Point, Seven Swords, etc. action fans across the pond awaiting The Expendables 2 were eager to see the actor make his re-appearance with his fellow Once Upon A Time In China 2 and Hero co-star Jet Li, an opportunity which Yen eventually passed.

Of course, Yen still has his own priorities, in addition to tending to the films developing under his own production company Superhero Films, followed by his return to the screen with Michelle Yeoh and legendary fight director Yuen Woo-Ping for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: The Green Destiny. But if Yen still shares an interest in catering to audiences with a lead English role, this could be the big break he needed-one he likely could have used in 2002. The film sounds like it brings an epic concept based on the synopsis above, with lots of potential based on who will be attached, and aims to bring the same tonality of thrillers like Assault On Precinct 13 and 16 Blocks.

At any rate though, we will eventually  learn more about this film in time. Let’s just hope it isn’t too late.

Yen will be out with Iceman 3D: Part 1 and The Monkey King 3D in early 2014. Stay tuned for more info!