I don’t know what to make of this but it definitely sounds interesting. BUNRAKU, an unusual film that Variety describes as a “martial arts fantasy actioner” will blend elements of Japanese puppetry, CGI and live-action to create a fight-filled artsy flick that star Josh Hartnett previously struggled to describe when speaking to MTV. (more…)

Shochiku Company is stirring things up with their upcoming release of ICHI, an update to the Zatoichi franchise that re-imagines the iconic blind swordsman of over 26 feature films as a woman. The film has completed production and is headed for a fall 2008 release. For now, we get a teaser trailer and pic featuring newcomer Haruka Ayase. (more…)

An official teaser poster has been released for director Rob Cohen’s THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR, the third entry in the effects-heavy MUMMY series starring Brendan Fraser. We’re more interested in his co-stars Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh and Isabella Leong. We’ve got pictures of them too. (more…)

David Mamet, the playwright, novelist, filmmaker, and Oscar-nominated screenwriter with credits that include THE UNTOUCHABLES, RONIN and WAG THE DOG has turned his attention to martial arts for his latest film, REDBELT, which opens in theaters this week. (more…)

Chinese media has reported that the Huayi Brothers, the Chinese co-producers of THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM intend to collaborate once again with Hollywood studios to shoot a sequel with all the principle Chinese characters returning (there is no mention of the Caucasian kid). (more…)

With Tony Leung and Donnie Yen both portraying famous Wing Chun master Yip Man in upcoming biopics and the recent U.S. DVD release of Universe’s highly successful 2007 WING CHUN TV series starring Yuen Biao and Nicholas Tse, the fighting art that gave Bruce Lee his foundation is enjoying a resurgence of popularity. (more…)

Since we have another light week of screen fighting releases I’m going to focus on the latest high-definition news and tips and follow with a rundown on download services and a few Asian DVD releases. (more…)

As I continue to look back at the historical development of kung fu movies in Hong Kong and China, the period from about 1967 until 1973 stands revealed as a time when the old traditions collided with a newer, more modern approach to action filmmaking, resulting in an explosive burst of talent and creativity. (more…)

Nathan Jones, the Aussie wrestling behemoth from THE PROTECTOR (aka TOM YUM GOONG) and FEARLESS, must have made a “big” impression in Thailand back in 2005. Coming to Thai theaters three years later is SOM KAM, starring Jones in a family comedy spin-off. (more…)

A new Americanized sci-fi series based on the popular KAMEN RIDER franchise in Japan is coming from DRIVE and GUYVER director Steve Wang. Thanks to the folks at Henshin Justice Unlimited, we get to see a revealing preview. (more…)

One of the top names in straight-to-video action films of the 1990’s is Michael Worth. A martial artist who started making films at an early age, Worth is perhaps known best for his role as Tommy on the popular syndicated series ACAPULCO H.E.A.T. as well as nearly playing the role of Robin in BATMAN FOREVER (1995). Martial arts fans will know Worth for his role as the leader of the good guys in the action-fest U.S. SEALS II: THE ULTIMATE FORCE (more…)

When master action choreographer and director Yuen Woo-Ping was looking to cast a young Wong Fei-Hung in his 1993 actionfest IRON MONKEY, he discovered a young wushu champion named Tsang Sze-Man. Tsang Sze-Man was actually a female wushu champion who uses the English name of Angie Tsang. (more…)