The Karate Kid – French poster

The Last Airbender – New trailer

Turns out this is going to be converted into 3D which sucks as until I heard that I was looking forward to seeing this. Clash of the Titans really put me off films shot in 2D then converted into 3D. However, M Night Shyamalan is going to oversee the conversion for this one so it may be slightly better.

Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war—torn world. Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live—action feature film The Last Airbender is the opening chapter in Aangs struggle.

Reign of Assassins – Trailer for Michelle Yeoh’s ageless assassin film

In 428AD, Bodhi, Prince of Southern India becomes a Buddhist monk and sets off for China earning a hallowed reputation as a mystical martial artist. Following his death, his remains mysteriously disappear. Hundreds of years later, Zhang, a high-ranking court official, is assassinated by Drizzle. His son Jingxiu, whilst mourning his father’s death, is attacked by a group of assassins. They leave him for dead, but somehow he survives and escapes their clutches.

Drizzle, a talented warrior herself, finds herself in possession of Bodhi’s remains, and begins her quest to return them to their rightful resting place at the Yunhe Temple. ‘The Black Stone,’ a team of deadly assassins who employed Drizzle, are also after the remains and the powerful secret behind them. To hide from ‘The Black Stone,’ Drizzle undergoes drastic facial surgery and changing her name to Zeng Jing (Michelle Yeoh), flees to Beijing, where she meets and falls in love with Jiang, soon to become her husband. After a confrontation in Beijing, Zeng’s identity is uncovered and both she and Jiang must flee for their lives. As Zeng kills off members of the gang while they run, she quickly realizes Jiang is actually Jingxiu, and he is seeking revenge for his father’s murder. This leads to a lethal triangle and a fight to the death between our hero Zeng, Jiang and ‘The Black Stone.’ The only question remains who will be the last man standing to uncover the secret of Bodhi’s remains…

Directed by Chao-Bin Su and produced by John Woo.

More info at Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre

Bruce Lee’s Silent Flute to be moviefied

What can be said about Bruce Lee that hasn’t already been said? Probably lots, but I’m too tired to think of anything so fill that bit in, chuckle, then move on.

Before his death in 1973 (year of my birth…coincedence? Am I the reincarnation of Lee? No) Bruce had written a treatment for a martial arts film called The Silent Flute.

Now Paul Maslansky is developing the treatment into a feature. Maslansky has previously worked on Return to Oz and Police Academy so take that how you wish.

According to Variety, Maslansky produced an earlier version of the movie in 1978 called Circle of Iron with the late Sandy Howard. This version had quite a cast and centered on a martial artist rebel (Jeff Cooper) on a quest for the “Book of Enlightenment” and the various trials that educate him in Zen philosophy. Bruce Lee had written a part for himself as a reluctant mentor, which was played in the film by David Carradine; Christopher Lee, Roddy McDowall and Eli Wallach also appeared.

Maslansky’s son, Sasha Maslansky, is writing the new screenplay based on Lee’s original treatment. Bey Logan, Sasha Maslansky and Kurt Fethke will serve as producers, with David Tadman and Steve Kerridge also attached to the project as co-producers.

“‘The Silent Flute’ will be an epic martial arts adventure film that promises to honor Bruce Lee’s original artistic and philosophical conception,” said Paul Maslansky, who is exec producing. “It also promises to reach new levels of action and adventure never before seen in martial arts filmmaking.”

What do you reckon? Martial arts magic or direct to DVD? Who should star?

Ong Bak 3 – Trailer brings the pain and a whole heap of awesome!

The legend of Ong Bak 3 begins after Tien (Tony Jaa) has lost his fighting skills and his beloved stepfather at the Garuda’s Wing cliff from the raid led by Jom Rachan (Saranyu Wonggrajang). Tien is brought back to life with the help from Pim (Primrata Dechudom) as well as Mhen (Petchai Wongkamlao) and the Kana Khone villagers. Deep into the meditation taught by Phra Bua (Nirutti Sirijanya), Tien finally is able to achieve ‘Nathayut’. His talents are put to the test again when his rivals including the Golden-Armored King’s Guard (Supakorn ‘Tok’ Kijusuwan), the mysterious killers in black, and Bhuti Sangkha (Dan Chupong) return for the final massive showdown.

Lucky Ho – Women’s prison martial arts movie

This one is going to be filmed by Bruce McDonald (Pontypool) and Quiet Earth had a few posters and this synopsis.

Tough, sexy, smart. A young Kung Fu prodigy. Meet LUCKY HO, the eighteen year-old schoolgirl who will break your heart with a smile and break your neck with a flick of her wrist.When her mother passes away suddenly, Lucky is left alone to fend for her younger sister, TRACEY, in a world of male predators and female competitors. As a defender of the underdog set, Lucky tries to stay cool, but her explosive temper keeps the stakes hot and attracts plenty of trouble. Lucky watches her dreams of getting into Harvard go up in smoke as she is expelled, and the day only gets worse when she comes home to find a drunken Tracey in the hands of their disgusting stepfather and his friends. The tension escalates into the night as threats and anger turn ugly and result in Lucky being unfairly charged for murder.

Life on death row is no day at the prom. Lucky finds herself being thrown into a bizarre underworld filled with transvestites, bull dykes and a corrupt warden with a “passion” for his female prisoners – especially newcomer Lucky. The evil warden proffers an after hours fight club where the female inmates are pitted against each other in a gruesome battle to the death. Lucky will have to fight like never before because among these crazy inhabitants, fighting is more than survival, it’s pure entertainment. As Lucky trains to combat some of the meanest inmates in prison history, only one thing keeps her going: escaping and saving Tracey from their corrupt step father. Lucky’s steel will and exceptional skill will help her to overcome the dark forces that conspire against her in a world that doesn’t seem to want to give her a chance.

Heads will roll. High kicks will fly. Cross-dressing fashionistas will serenade bloody victories and shower brawls. From knee socks and numchucks to shakedowns and chop-ups, every fight brings Lucky one step closer to freedom…

The Last Airbender – Check out all the bending in this Japanese trailer

Very good Mr Shyamalan, very good.

Ong Bak 3 – Teaser Trailer

Raging Phoenix – Trailer for martial arts goodness

This Thai martial arts film stars Jija Yanin (Chocolate). It’s out on 12th April in the UK on both DVD and Blu-Ray.

Like The Moon Escaping From The Clouds – Cool looking Korean Martial Arts film

Like the Moon Escaping from the Clouds has a cool poster and is an action film adapted from a three-book Korean manga series (구르믈 버서난 달처럼*) by Park Heung Yong. It was awarded the Republic of Korea Cartoon Culture Literary Prize by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and in 2005, translated into English by Steven D. Capener. The story is set at the end of the 16th century’s Joseon Dynasty, following Japan’s invasion of Korea.

Set in 15th Century Joseon era South Korea, “Like the Moon Escaping from the Clouds” details the plight of men from the lower classes of society who fight for social equality.

It stars Cha Seung-won as Lee Mong-Hak, Hwang Jung-min as Hwang Jung-Hak, Han Ji-hye as Baek Ji, Baek Sung-hyun as Gyun-Ja.