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Tony Jaa is arguably the most famous and iconic Thai action star of all-time. The Ong-Bak series helped popularize the country's national sport, muay thai, in the west and cemented Jaa as an action leading man -- leading to roles in Hollywood movies like the Fast & Furious franchise, The Expendables 4, and even the Monster Hunter adaptation. Jaa returned for two more Ong-Bak movies, with Ong-Bak 2 releasing in 2008, and Ong-Bak 3 two years later in 2010. Now, 15 years after the last film in the franchise, he's returning to helm a brand new muay thai action trilogy.

Per Deadline, Tony Jaa is set to star in the aptly named Muay Thai Trilogy. The trilogy will take Jaa out of Hollywood, as the new movies are being co-produced and shot in China and Thailand. The titles of the individual movies have yet to be released. Veteran action director, Yuthlert Sippapak is...

Mainland filmmaker Cheng Si Yu is a regular when it comes to action movies showing on the local video streaming platforms. Starting with “The Grandmaster of Kung Fu” (2019), “Tai Chi Master” (2022) and “Desperado” (2024) starring Danny Chan. His latest online project, “Striking Rescue”, streaming on Youku, even comes with a bigger drawcard, featuring the Muay Thai warrior himself, Tony Jaa in the lead. Interestingly, this movie managed to get a cinema release in the US and Thailand.

Set in Jiati City, in the Palivina Republic, Bai An (Tony Jaa), a retired security veteran highly skilled in Muay Thai is on a deadly mission of seeking justice for the murder of his wife and young daughter. Upon learning that He Ying Hao (Philip Keung), a rich Chinese businessman might be responsible, he plans to kidnap He’s daughter Ting (Chen Duo Yi) first in order to get to her father.

It turns...

Get more of your action fix with another trailer from Well Go USA. This week, the distributor released the hard-hitting first look at the Tony Jaa action film Striking Rescue. In that trailer, Jaa looks to return to form after capitalizing on his exploding career by starring in international films like Furious 7, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, Skin Trade, Triple Threat and KillZone 2. While his new movie isn’t a Thai production, it brings back the hardcore fighting that broke him out in Ong Bak.

Now, take a look at Donnie Yen as he stars in the new legal action film The Prosecutor. Yen steps in to direct and stars in the film alongside Julian Cheung, Francis Ng, Kent Cheng, Adam Pak, Kang Yu and Locker Lam. The official plot synopsis reads, “Inspired by an actual legal case in Hong Kong, The Prosecutor follows the story of...

We’ve taken a look at Tony Jaa’s breakout hit Ong Bak in an episode of our Reel Action series that’s available on the JoBlo Originals Channel on YouTube. Since his first few Thai films, in which he was heavily involved in the action creation, Jaa would inevitably branch out into international films. Movies like Furious 7, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, Skin Trade, Triple Threat and KillZone 2 would utilize him, but the Thai star wouldn’t quite reach the kind of showmanship that he displayed in his earlier movies. The upcoming movie Striking Rescue may just be the return to form.

It was recently reported that the film has been acquired by frequent martial arts film distributor Well Go USA for the North American distribution rights. Well Go USA has just released the official, hard-hitting trailer for Striking Rescue. Per THR, “Directed by Cheng Siyi,...

The majority of the martial arts genre follows the same blueprint: a down-on-their-luck character stumbles from mishap to mishap before they come across kung fu, which teaches them discipline and skills to turn their life around. They may even win a martial arts tournament with no rules or avenge themselves against those who mistreated them. However, sometimes, the kung fu training becomes the protagonist's means of defending themselves in their country or from attackers, breaking the standard formula of the genre.

These consistently used formulas don't translate to a lack of excitement, as some of the greatest martial arts movies of the 2000s use them to deliver intense thrills. Many martial arts movies with great stories and excellent action use the blueprint. However, when the story takes the form of an epic quest, the action and the adventure work hand-in-hand to create a grand scale narrative. Whether they're character-driven dramas...

One of the most underrated international action and martial arts stars of all time returns with a new, no-nonsense action thriller. Titled Striking Rescue, the action outing sees Ong Bak and Furious 7 star Tony Jaa demonstrate his exceptional Muay Thai skills once again in this tale of revenge. Jaa, a three-time Muay Thai champion, has already proven that his martial arts prowess often results in visual poetry with his skills now all set for the big screen after Striking Distance was picked up for distribution in North America by Well Go USA.

You can check out the official synopsis for Striking Rescue below, which teases the perfectly simple plot that should allow for all manner of action.

Directed by Cheng Siyi, the action revenge movie follows An Bai (Jaa), a veteran Muay Thai expert who goes on a take-no-prisoners mission of revenge after his wife and daughter are brutally murdered by mysterious forces.

We’ve taken a look at Tony Jaa’s breakout hit Ong Bak in an episode of our Reel Action series that’s available on the JoBlo Originals Channel on YouTube. Since his first few Thai films, in which he was heavily involved in the action creation, Jaa would inevitably branch out into international films. Movies like Furious 7, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, Skin Trade, Triple Threat and KillZone 2 would utilize him, but the Thai star wouldn’t quite reach the kind of showmanship that he displayed in his earlier movies.

The upcoming movie Striking Rescue may just be the return to form. And The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that the film has been acquired by frequent martial arts film distributor Well Go USA for the North American distribution rights. Per THR, “Directed by Cheng Siyi, the action revenge movie follows An Bai (Jaa), a veteran...

Well Go USA has snatched up North American distribution rights to the Chinese action movie Striking Rescue, starring Thai martial arts hero Tony Jaa. The film is produced by Chinese streamer Youku, which is releasing the film to its subscribers in China on Friday. It will be the first film from Youku to get a U.S. theatrical release. The project is a first step in Youku’s planned expansion into theatrical film production for international markets.

Directed by Cheng Siyi, the action revenge movie follows An Bai (Jaa), a veteran Muay Thai expert who goes on a take-no-prisoners mission of revenge after his wife and daughter are brutally murdered by mysterious forces. The film co-stars Chinese actors Hong Junjia and Shi Yanneng.

Striking Rescue is being shopped to international buyers at this week’s American Film Market by Beijing-based sales outfit Blossoms Entertainment. In addition to the North American agreement with Well Go,...

There’s a recurring trend in the gaming industry where developers and studios rush to announce a live action adaptation only for it to never materialize. Look no further than Netflix’s fumbling of its Horizon Zero Dawn adaptation, a fan-favorite franchise whose streaming debut was announced and subsequently halted after two years in limbo.

More often than not, it’s smarter for creators to keep mum until their projects are nearly done and ready for social media show-and-tell. This is how Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoko Studio shocked fans...

Stuntmen detail how Ong Bak 2: The Beginning pays homage to Drunken Master II. A direct sequel to 1978's Drunken Master, the 1994 Kung fu comedy film follows Jackie Chan as a mischievous, yet righteous man who is a master of drunken martial arts. Ong Bak 2, on the other hand, is the 2008 prequel to 2003's Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, starring Tony Jaa as a man who masters martial arts, transforms into a deadly warrior, and embarks on a mission to avenge his parents' death in 15th century Thailand.

On the latest episode of Corridor Crew's "Stuntmen React" series, Niko Pueringer was joined by stunt performers Gui DaSilva-Greene and Anis Cheurfa to break down action scenes in movies, including how Ong Bak 2: The Beginning pays homage to Drunken Master II. The stuntmen and host compared Jackie Chan and Tony Jaa's forms of drunken fighting in two scenes and detailed...

"Don't try this at home" has become a staple warning for movies with intensely choreographed fight scenes, but some martial arts techniques from movies truly deserve this cautionary note. Martial arts movies have long captivated audiences with thrilling fight scenes and mind-boggling stunts, especially martial arts movies that seemingly had no rules. As awesome as these techniques may appear on the big screen, attempting to practice them in reality, without the assistance of professional stuntpeople and choreographers, can lead to serious injury or even worse.

No fighting technique from a movie should be attempted at home, but some of these are so incredible to watch that they deserve their own list, whether they're from trained martial artists or actors. It is important to remember that all of these stunts are performed by highly trained professionals. They're still incredible to watch and have provided some of the most memorable and iconic action moments in movie history.

Shooting is underway on The Bride, a horror thriller directed by Lee Thongkham that has been set up as co-production between Thailand and Vietnam.

The project marks the growing presence of Vietnamese stars in Thailand’s thriving horror film industry and features cast and crew from both countries.

The Bride follows a young Vietnamese woman, played by Rima Thanh Vy, who is engaged to her rich Thai boyfriend, played by “J.J.” Krissanapoom Pibulsonggram. But her visit to his hometown in rural Thailand quickly turns to terror when she encounters the ghostly presence of a bride after trying on a...

In an exciting addition for martial arts enthusiasts, Ong Bak 3: The Final Battle is set to land on Peacock next month. The film, which is the third installment in the critically acclaimed Ong Bak series, will be available for streaming starting September 22, 2024.

Directed by and starring the legendary Tony Jaa, Ong Bak 3 continues the saga of Tien, a warrior on a journey of vengeance, spiritual awakening, and ultimate redemption. Released in 2010, Ong Bak 3 picks up directly where its predecessor, Ong Bak 2, left off. The story follows Tien, who, after being brutally beaten and left for dead, is rescued and taken to a village where he undergoes intense physical and spiritual healing.

Related One of the Greatest Genre Mash-Up Trilogies Gets a New Streaming Home in September

Three Edgar Wright classic comedies are heading to Peacock in September.

As Tien recovers, he learns to blend martial arts with meditation and dance,...

Asian cinema has gifted the world with a plethora of iconic fighting movies that blend intense action with rich storytelling and cultural depth. Together, these films represent the diverse and dynamic world of Asian fighting movies, captivating audiences with their artistry and action. A few favorites include:

Enter the Dragon (1973) – Bruce Lee

A classic with Bruce Lee’s,”Enter the Dragon” sets the stage for martial arts films with groundbreaking choreography and charismatic performances.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – Directed by Ang Lee

This movie was extremely popular across the globe and introduced audiences to the poetic beauty and elegance of wuxia cinema.

Ip Man (2008)

This movie is a biographical martial arts film that tells the story of the legendary Wing Chun master Ip Man, who later became the mentor of Bruce Lee, and his resistance against Japanese occupation in China during the 1930s.

The Raid: Redemption (2011)

“The Raid: Redemption” showcases...

This article contains spoilers for "Deadpool & Wolverine."

It's 1996 and one of your classmates is having a birthday party at the local roller rink. Sitting in the locker room, there's a stale scent of sweaty socks and recently used toilet stall lingering in the air, so you quickly shove your feet into your black and purple Variflex rollerblades with neon green laces and wheels, frantically trying to unbunch your too-thick white tube socks so you can hit the rink. As you make your way, you pass by the snack area where your friends are chasing each other in circles with overly syrupy slushies and corresponding brightly colored tongues.

The sugar high has inspired a symphony of roller-bladed feet clomping around, high-pitched screaming, and uproarious laughter that could pierce the sound barrier. Parents are chatting and flirting, sneaking mini-bottles of liquor into their fountain sodas in styrofoam cups and paying no...

2003. It’s an era of action movies where we’re living in a post-Matrix, post-Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon world. Those films’ major success and notoriety prompted Hollywood to try bringing Kung Fu wire work to more of their action films. Meanwhile, two of the biggest names in the genre – Jackie Chan and Jet Li – were attempting to expand their brand into the American market — with films that many of their fans considered to be watered-down versions of their previous works. Around the same time, Doug Liman debuted a newer visceral style of action in his film, The Bourne Identity, which would make its own mark on action films to come. However, somewhat hidden in all that activity was a budding star in Thailand who had taken his amazing physical skills and called back to some of the classic, acrobatic action that defined Hong Kong’s most beloved period of martial arts movies.

Oi there, listen up! Amazon Prime Video’s list of new releases for June 2024 includes another season of its biggest, bloodiest hit.

The Boys season 4 premieres its first three episodes on Thursday, June 13. Based on the trailers, The Boys is really leaning into the political side of its social satire with a presidential election underway and Homelander on trial for the small matter of killing a guy last season. The season will continue to air on Thursdays, culminating with the finale on July 18.

Amazon is really leaning into its sports offerings this month as well. Fans will get to watch the New York Yankees, the WNBA, and the Nwsl several times throughout June. That’s in addition to a couple of sports docs: Power of the Dream on June 18 and Federer: Twelve Final Days on June 20.

But if you’re looking for something even more explosive than Homelander and Roger Federer,...

Exclusive: Well Go USA Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to Thai martial arts action film Bangkok Dog, with plans to release the film in October this year.

Marking director Chaya Supannarat’s feature film debut, Bangkok Dog stars D.Y. Sao and Brian Le. Sao and Le originally rose to prominence alongside Andy Le through the Martial Club channel on YouTube and have built their careers in stunt work and choreography, with credits in Everything Everywhere All at Once and Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Bangkok Dog‘s executive producer, Prachya Pinkaew, is behind Thai martial arts hits Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior and The Protector, both starring Muay Thai megastar Tony Jaa.

Bangkok Dog follows an American agent who is sent to Thailand on a dangerous undercover mission to take down a sadistic crime lord. His street smarts and fighting skills win over the...

Quick Links Who is the Shaman in Boy Kills World? Boy Kills World Reveals the Van Der Koy Secret Are Boy and June Heroes in Boy Kills World? Is the Shaman a Villain in Boy Kills World?

The following contains spoilers for Boy Kills World, now playing in theaters.

The trailers for Boy Kills World focused heavily on Bill Skarsgrd as Boy, a deaf-mute man aiming to avenge his family. He came off like a one-man wrecking crew, a trope seen in Western cinema with John Wick and in the East with movies like Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior and The Raid.

The more fans absorb the actual movie, however, Boy gets help from key individuals to achieve his goal of vengeance via animalistic martial arts training. A major pivot in his life is none other than the Shaman. This is his mentor, a man who also lost a lot at...

Pluto TV, Paramount’s free streaming service, has revealed its May highlights. The Pluto TV May 2024 schedule includes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month programming, more anime content, new channels, and new film additions.

Pluto TV is the leading free streaming television service, delivering hundreds of live linear channels and thousands of titles on-demand to a global audience.

The Emmy Award-winning service curates a diverse lineup of channels in partnership with hundreds of international media companies. It offers a wide array of genres, languages, and categories featuring movies, television series, sports, news, lifestyle, kids, and much more.

Pluto TV can be easily accessed and streamed across mobile, web, and connected TV devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Pluto TV’s growing international footprint extends across three continents and over 35 markets.

Pluto TV May 2024 Programming

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Heritage Month

To pay tribute, Pluto TV...

Fallout is the most exciting Amazon Original dropping this month. From Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, this long-awaited adaptation of the popular video game franchise looks incredible, and is bound to be a hit among video game fans and newcomers alike. The series stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Walton Goggins (The Righteous Gemstones), and Aaron Clifton Moten (Disjointed).

Prime Video doesn’t have much else in the way of original offerings this month, aside from the return of Alex Rider on Freevee a few other films and TV series, but there are plenty of popular films joining the streaming service’s library. Cloverfield, Batman & Robin, Titanic, and The Notebook are just a few of the notable movies coming to Prime this month.

Here’s everything coming to Prime Video and Freevee in April – Amazon originals are designated with an asterisk.

New on Amazon Prime Video – April 2024 April 1 Blaze...

In Berlin with “The Roundup: Punishment,” part four of the action movie series that he created and stars in, the larger-than-life Korean American Don Lee finds himself simultaneously in multiple timely and lucrative businesses.

These include the Marvel superhero business, the Korea-to-Hollywood remake business, “The Roundup” franchise and its multiple spinoff possibilities. Lee may even be in the business of saving Korean cinema, which is currently having one of its periodic wobbles.

“What we have to do is make really, really fun entertaining movies. Put them in cinemas, so that everyone will come back to the theaters. One of my goals is to entertain more people,” Lee told Variety on the fringes of the Berlin Film Festival, where “Punishment” has its world premiere as an out-of-competition gala screening.

The second element of the franchise, “The Roundup,” earned $99 million in 2022, making it Korea’s highest grossing movie that year, while last...

New action thriller "Dogman" directed by Luc Besson stars Caleb Landry Jones as an unorthodox revenger. The film explores trauma, salvation, and justice through the protagonist's connection with dogs. Critics have praised Jones' performance, calling it mesmerizing and touching.

Léon: The Professional and Lucy director Luc Besson returns to helm the upcoming action thriller, Dogman, for which a new trailer has now been unleashed. The English-language French action flick finds Besson once again writing and directing the project, which stars Get Out and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri star Caleb Landry Jones as the most unorthodox revenger you’ve probably ever seen.

You can check out the new trailer for Dogman below.

While Caleb Landry Jones’ Douglas "Doug" Munrow may share a love of dogs and desire for vengeance with a particular well-known action hero, Dogman is a very different, R-rated tale to the likes of Baba Yaga. Alongside the intense new footage,...

The Sam Raimi-produced dystopian action thriller Boy Kills World is set to unleash pure mayhem this Spring. Today, Roadside Attractions debuts the brand new trailer to help us prepare for the bone-crunching madness ahead. Watch the Boy Kills World trailer below.

Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate will release Boy Kills World wide in theaters on April 26, 2024.

Bill Skarsgård leads the stacked cast that includes Happy Death Day star Jessica Rothe, Yayan Ruhian (John Wick 3, The Raid: Redemption), Andrew Koji (Warrior, Snake Eyes), Isaiah Mustafa (It: Chapter Two), Famke Janssen (The Postcard Killings), Sharlto Copley (District 9), Michelle Dockery (“Downton Abbey”), Brett Gelman (Stranger Things), Quinn Copeland (Peacock’s Punky Brewster), and twins Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti (Big Little Lies).

Boy Kills World follows “‘Boy’ who vows revenge after his family is murdered by Hilda Van Der Koy (Janssen), the deranged matriarch of a corrupt post-apocalyptic dynasty that left the boy orphaned,...

As I get older, I find it harder and harder to find horror movies from the 80s and even 90s to qualify for a recommendation towards a best horror movie you never saw. First is the influx of all these great companies like Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow, and Severin Films, not to mention Kino and Scream Factory, who pull out all the stops finding the most hidden of hidden gems to clean up and release. Second, we have a ludicrous amount of streaming services, and the free ones typically can find these smaller movies that cost way less to license a streamable version. Between my generation recommending everything under the sun to their coworkers, friends, and family as well as newer generations being willing to stream something if its easy to find, the 80s is well represented, for better and for worse. The 2000s are Chock Full of movies that came...

Tony Jaa is a skilled martial artist with a filmography that showcases his impressive action scenes and dedication to Muay Thai. "Monster Hunter" is a departure from Jaa's usual fare, but still demonstrates his ability to hold his own in fantastical worlds. "Ong Bak 2: The Beginning" couldn't quite capture the magic of the original, but still offers breathtaking fight choreography that will dazzle fans.

Tony Jaa has been one of the best martial arts movie stars to emerge from the early 2000s, and his action-packed filmography reflects his dizzying skill as a performer and fighter. A native of Thailand, Tony Jaa, also known by his birthname, Tatchakorn Yeerum, became a capable stunt double and Muay Thai expert at an early age, appearing in the films of his mentor, famed choreographer Panna Rittikrai. Since then, Jaa has become a breakout star, working his way up from Thailand and onto the...

Hong Kong action flicks have been a favorite in the U.S., as well as mainland China martial arts films. Japanese horror has reshaped the genre in America and Korean zombie movies have recently been wowing fans stateside. One tragically slept-on brand of cinema, however, has been the amazing films of Thailand.

Thailand has a rich history of film and broke through briefly in the States with the Muay Thai kickboxing epic, Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior, in the early 2000s. Thai cinema is so much more than martial arts, with hilarious comedies that transcend cultures, and terrifying horrors with clever twists. Any movie fan owes it to themselves to check out some of these great Thai movies.

The Murderer is Knives Out in Thailand

The Murderer

When an English man is accused of murdering his Thai in-laws, his wife is the only witness that stands between guilt and freedom.

Release...

Martial arts movies often focus on showcasing the bone-breaking action and impressive fighting skills of different martial arts styles. Bruce Lee was one of the first influential martial artists to introduce martial arts to a Western audience, but many other talented actors like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Donnie Yen have since followed in his footsteps. Each major martial arts style has had its own definitive cinematic representation, such as Tony Jaa's Muay Thai skills in Ong Bak, Bruce Lee's portrayal of Kung Fu in Enter the Dragon, and Ralph Macchio's karate skills in The Karate Kid.

While some action movies mix all manner of martial arts styles, there are others that highlight one and become the definitive cinematic portrait of this art form. Martial arts is used as a catch-all term to refer to a wide variety of combat sports and self-defense practices, but many of their...

Martial arts films blend different fighting styles into their fight scenes, showcasing the complexity of fight choreography and delivering spectacular action. Some of the best martial arts movies take place in Mma settings or underground tournaments, where fighters blend different martial arts to achieve victory. These movies incorporate various fighting styles such as Muay Thai, kung fu, wrestling, Mma, and more, creating a harmonious blend of martial arts in their fight sequences.

There are many great martial arts films that blend a variety of different martial arts fighting styles into their fight scenes. The art of fight choreography is one of the most complex elements of filmmaking. Actors, stunt performers, and fight choreographers craft fight scenes like dance sequences, with each move planned and blocked to tell a harmonious story of combat. Martial arts films draw from real life disciplines of combat in order to deliver the most spectacular action possible.

A title that started ironically has now become all too accurate when it comes to the belated fourth installment of Sylvester Stallone’s action franchise. Arriving a full nine years after the poorly received prior entry, Expend4bles — the number is in the middle of the word, get it? — represents a nadir for a series that began as an entertainingly nostalgic throwback to old-school action movies and the square-jawed muscle men who starred in them. This edition — essentially a sub-par Jason Statham vehicle (after this and Meg 2: The Trench, some quality control might be in order for the actor) featuring a brief appearance by Stallone and several new castmembers who fail to make much of an impression — indicates that it’s time to put a fork in the series; it’s done.

If you can believe the good folks at Wikipedia, among the stars originally under consideration for this fourth Expendables film were Pierce Brosnan,...

Several martial arts movie sequels have managed to greatly outdo their predecessors. Martial arts films are like any other genre, in that some of their stories are specifically designed to be one-offs, while others are the beginning of a franchise. The latter tends to be a fairly common scenario, and has often led to such popular martial arts movie franchises as The Karate Kid, Kickboxer, and the Ip Man movies.

There are also numerous examples of the second installment of a martial arts movie series completely surpassing the original. In some cases, it is simply the case of a superior sequel with bigger and better action scenes being made. In other cases, part two of a martial arts franchise even ends up being so good as to become regarded as the true beginning of its respective series. Here are 10 martial arts movie sequels that are significantly better than their predecessors.

We might be entering the dog days of summer but Hulu isn’t slowing down. The streamer’s list of new releases for August 2023 is a pretty impressive collection of content.

The biggest Hulu original this month is season 3 of true crime comedy Only Murders in the Building on Aug. 8. This time around Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd are joining the already-stacked cast that features Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. This season’s central murder appears to take place at a theater (outside the building) but I think we’ll let it slide.

That’s far from the only worthwhile original in August as Aug. 2 sees the premiere of the third and final season of superb comedy Reservation Dogs. That will be followed by South Korean sci-fi series Moving on Aug. 9, Solar Opposites season 4 on Aug. 14, and A Murder at the End of the World on Aug. 29. Of course,...

August is here, and so is a brand new collection of additions from the ever-expanding Plex. The free streaming service is adding another two dozen titles to its library of over 50,000 TV series and movies, and whether you’re in the mood for a found-footage horror movie like “V/H/S” or an LGBTQ+ rom-com like “Life Partners,” your watchlist likely just got a little longer.

Check out our top picks for the coming month and the full list below!

Watch Now $0+ / month plex.tv What Are the Best Shows and Movies Coming to Plex in August 2023? “Shadow Dancer” | Aug. 1

The 2012 mystery-thriller set in 1990s Belfast stars Andrea Riseborough as an active member of the Ira who becomes an informant for MI5 in order to protect her son’s welfare. The spy drama also stars Clive Owens, Gillian Anderson, Aidan Gillen, Domhnall Gleeson, Brid Brennan, David Wilmot, and more.

Check...

Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s new strand in which, each fortnight, we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are appearing in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track. So we’re going to do the hard work for you.

This week we visit French director Xavier Gens’s Thailand-set fight-fest Farang, which has shown independent French action movies can hold their own in cinemas and find international buyers. Released against a real-life background of fury towards the police following the killing of a French teenager during a traffic stop in June, the film has shown there remains an appetite for genre movie in the country.

Name: Farang

Country: France

Distributor: Studiocanal

Networks: Canal+, France Télévisions

Where to watch: Due...

Tony Jaa uses a wide collection of martial arts in the Ong Bak trilogy. Tony Jaa began his career in action movies as a stuntman, before achieving his big break with 2003's Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, which shot Jaa to international stardom. Ong Bak is widely beloved for Jaa's showcasing of Muay Thai in the movie's enthralling fight scenes, with Jaa and the cast also performing incredible stunt work throughout the film. Meanwhile, the Ong Bak franchise would later go back in time with two prequels, Ong Bak 2: The Beginning and Ong Bak 3.

In the Ong Bak prequels, Jaa expands his repertoire of martial arts significantly, blending a variety of different fighting styles and weapons into an eclectic approach to fighting, enabling his protagonist Tien to adapt to and overcome any opponent. Tony Jaa has frequently cited Bruce Lee as one of his major influences, and Lee's own philosophy...

Undisputed 5 could bring aboard many great martial arts stars for Yuri Boyka's return to the ring. The Undisputed franchise first introduced Yuri Boyka (Scott Adkins) in Isaac Florentine's Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing, with the highly formidable Mma fighter Boyka determined to prove himself worthy of the title of The Most Complete Fighter in the World. Though he was introduced as the antagonist of Undisputed 2, Boyka quickly became the Undisputed franchise's central character, returning as the protagonist of Undisputed 3: Redemption and Boyka: Undisputed.

Though Scott Adkins says there is a script for Undisputed 5, the next chapter of the Undisputed series has not yet gotten off the ground. Naturally, in a martial arts franchise like the Undisputed movies, a cast of great martial artists is a must. While Undisputed 5 bringing back Michael Jai White, Marko Zaror, and other past stars of the series would be a fantastic concept,...

For a high octane action film starring Vin Diesel as an extreme athlete version of James Bond, "XXX3: Return of Xander Cage" is much more entertaining than it has any right to be. With "Fast X" quickly approaching to help kick-off the summer season, it's clear Diesel has learned that, sometimes, there is safety in numbers. Having a huge cast around you helps take the pressure off of the actor at the top of the call sheet, and Diesel embraced the idea of having a team of some of the best action stars in the world come on board for the third adventure of Xander Cage.

Directed by DJ Caruso, the culmination of one of the most ridiculously entertaining action franchises in recent memory featured a stacked cast that included Donnie Yen, Ruby Rose, Samuel L. Jackson, Kris Wu, Toni Collette, and Thai boxer extraordinaire Tony Jaa as a bleach blonde villain named Talon.

The legendary Bruce Lee set the bar for martial arts films, and there are many fight scenes since his time that have risen to the standards he set. Bruce Lee first gained attention through his role as Kato on The Green Hornet, and later grew into a rising star in his native Hong Kong with kung fu movies like The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, and his directorial debut The Way of the Dragon. Though he tragically passed away just weeks before the release of 1973's Enter the Dragon, the movie became an all-time martial arts classic and forever after cemented Bruce Lee as a legend.

Bruce Lee also set a whole new standard for fight scenes in martial arts films during his time, and it is one that sits at the pinnacle of on-screen fight choreography. With such a powerful example set by Bruce Lee, many filmmakers and martial...

As befitting its status as one of the world’s biggest companies, every now and then Amazon likes to take a big swing with its Prime Video originals. With its list of new releases for April 2023, the streamer is taking one of its biggest swings yet.

Though it’s not quite as vast or expensive as fellow Prime Video series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Citadel (premiering April 28) is a massive, massive undertaking. Starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, this spy series is described as “an expansive and groundbreaking global event comprising a mothership series and several local language satellite series.” This means that the Russo Brothers-produced project will eventually feature several spinoffs in multiple countries and languages around the world. Neat-o!

The only other major TV original of note this month is Dead Ringers, based on the 1988 David Cronenberg film of the same name,...

Prime Video is hoping to launch its own extended franchise universe in April with the premiere of international spy series “Citadel” from the minds of the Russo Brothers. The show stars Richard Madden, Priyanka Chopra, and Stanley Tucci, and is intended to be the first block of an interconnected story with different spinoffs in countries and regions around the world. The first version will begin streaming on April 28. In the show, the world is in the grips of Manticore, a criminal organization, and several former spies are recruited to restore order despite having their memories erased.

Watch the trailer for “Citadel”:

Beloved young adult author Judy Blume opened the door to discussion about difficult subjects for generations of kids. Now, the writer is the subject of a new documentary, “Judy Blume Forever,” coming to Prime Video on April 21. The doc looks at her trajectory — from a scared kid to...

Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee may be universally considered the greatest in the Martial Arts genre, but they’re not alone at the top. Both are unquestionably the biggest names in kung fu movies, but they don’t dominate the genre. It’s actually filled with talented fighters not named Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan, some of which being actors whose fame predate the two stars.

The number of iconic martial arts movies released since the 1960s speaks to the idea that Lee and Chan have plenty of company when it comes to actors with real fighting skills. After all, a large portion of the most talked-about martial arts movies of all time don’t include either actor. Bloodsport, Come Drink With Me, Ong Bak, Fearless, and Ip Man are among the countless films in the genre that don’t rely on the top two kung fu stars. Here are...

There is not a more fearless action star on the planet than Tony Jaa. Ever since making his bone-bruising debut in the relentlessly entertaining "Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior," Jaa's presence in a movie means you're in for full-tilt martial arts combat that's as punishing to film as it is exhilarating to watch.

Jaa earned the most valued seal of approval in the action filmmaking community when Jackie Chan called him "the most well-rounded of all action stars." Alas, Jaa was unable to realize the dream of acting alongside his hero in "Rush Hour 3" (which is for the best given the ghastly quality of the film), but the indestructible Thai star continues to press ever forward. His star has dimmed in recent years (e.g. he took supporting roles in Paul W.S. Anderson's "Monster Hunter" and the sci-fi Dtv effort "Jiu Jitsu"), but when you cast Tony Jaa, you...

Tom Cruise’s blockbuster sequel “Top Gun: Maverick” has roared into the record books as the No. 1 best-selling digital sell-through title ever in the U.S. in its first week of release — at least, that’s according to Paramount Home Entertainment.

The studio said “Top Gun: Maverick,” which was released on digital Aug. 23, 2022, also is already one of the top 20 best-selling digital releases in history after being available for one week. In addition, the digital release of the film was the top-selling item on Amazon in the U.S. across every category on the day of its release. The film has been the No. 1 bestseller on Fandango’s Vudu since digital release and the “Top Gun” and “Top Gun: Maverick” bundle is its top-selling bundle.

Paramount didn’t disclose a dollar-figure amount for sales of “Top Gun: Maverick” to back up its claims. A studio rep said its sales estimates...

Action and casino movies are two of the most popular movie genres in the world. And while there are plenty of great action and casino movies from North America and Europe, Asia has its own fair share of excellent films in these genres. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best Asian action and casino movies. These films are sure to get your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping!

Why are these films so popular?

There are many reasons why action and casino movies are so popular. For one, they are usually packed with non-stop action and excitement. They often have larger-than-life characters and plots that keep you on the edge of your seat. Additionally, these films usually have amazing production values, with some of the best stunt work and special effects in the business.

With the casino genre, there have been many films...

Top Gun: Maverick is currently setting records at the box office including becoming the highest global grossing movie of Tom Cruise’s entire movie star career. It’s safe to say it’ll be the movie of the summer. It was even reported that the week of its release, approximately 2 million households in the United States had revisited the 1986 original on streaming platforms.

There will be over 110 minutes of bonus content available for the movie. This includes the making of the stunning aerial sequences of pushing the Darkstar jet past Mach-10, as well as the trench run and dogfights with the F-18 Super Hornets.

Top Gun: Maverick currently sits above the 1 billion mark at the box-office and recently overtook Titanic to be Paramount Studio’s highest grossing movie ever.

Collider has the details on the announced home video release of the box office juggernaut. The film’s director, Joseph Kosinski,...

Stuntman J.J. Perry, director of Day Shift, joins hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante to discuss his favorite action flicks.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

You Only Live Twice (1967) – Dana Gould’s trailer commentary

From Russia With Love (1963) – Brian Trenchard-Smith’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing

Day Shift (2022)

Big Trouble In Little China (1986) – Mike Mendez’s trailer commentary

The Lost Boys (1987) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s review

Fright Night (1986) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s review

The Evil Dead (1983) – Fede Alvarez’s trailer commentary

Zombieland (2009)

Traffic (2000)

Spectral (2016)

Spectre (2015)

The Exorcist (1973) – Oren Peli’s trailer commentary

Enter The Dragon (1973) – Brian Trenchard-Smith’s trailer commentary

The Way of the Dragon a.k.a. Return of the Dragon (1972) – Brian Trenchard-Smith’s trailer commentary

Rocky (1976)

Rocky II (1979)

Rocky III (1982)

Rocky IV (1985)

Rocky V (1990)

Creed (2015)

Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006)

The Tournament (2009)

The Shepherd: Border Patrol (2008)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

F9: The Fast Saga (2021)

Samaritan (2022)

Safe (2012)

Warrior...

Nearly every action sequence in Prachya Pinkaew's "Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior" stuns the viewer with acrobatic stuntwork and intricate choreography, but one scene stands out from the rest. The 2003 martial arts action film has its star Tony Jaa, playing the humble but deadly Muay Thai fighter Ting, going toe-to-toe with a series of towering, formidable opponents in an underground fight tournament. He knocks the champion's lights out with a single, powerful kick, but eventually must return to the Bangkok bar to square up with three more maniacs. The latter scene is known as the "Circle of Death" scene due...

The post One of Ong Bak's Most Memorable Scenes Was Three Years In the Making appeared first on /Film.

In the /Film conversation on the best martial arts movies, Prachya Pinkaew's 2003 gem "Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior" stands tall. Featuring the full-contact fight choreography of the late Panna Rittikrai (head of the parkour-happy Muay Thai Stunt team), the actioner features a parade of incredible acrobatic, multidisciplinary stunts, with a spotlight on its star, Tony Jaa. Jaa leaps through a barbed-wire hoop without a scratch, knocks a giant out with one kick, absorbs blows with every item of furniture available, and conducts himself with an energy level unseen outside of the "Dragon Ball" universe. Many who watch his films, from the...

The post Tony Jaa Didn't Make It Out of Ong Bak's Flaming Fight Scene Unscathed appeared first on /Film.

There are diverse streaming releases slates and then there is Hulu’s list of new releases for May 2022. There are no big franchises here, no big themes – just a whole bunch of original and library titles for everyone to enjoy.

Hulu’s major original releases in May come in the middle of the month. Candy premieres on May 9 and stars Jessica Biel as your friendly neighborhood axe murderer. If that sounds a bit outlandish, bear in mind that this limited series is based on the real life story of Candy Montgomery and her victim, the tragically named Betty Gore. On May 15, Hulu will play host to Conversations with Friends. This is the latest adaptation of the works of Sally Rooney. After the breakaway success of Normal People, Hulu is undoubtedly hoping for more lightning in a bottle.

On the movie side of things, May will welcome The Valet on May...

A slate of feature films is currently in development.

UK entertainment and investment company Sovereign has unveiled its new action label, titled Action Xtreme.

The new label will focus on development and creation of action content, with a slate of feature films currently in development.

In a statement, the company said: “Action Xtreme will create content featuring spectacular physical action and stunts, with a targeted focus on grassroots talent growth, development and training, and a remit to develop franchisable content for a worldwide audience.”

The label aims to produce two or three titles a year, with budgets ranging from $1m-$10m,...