‘The Furious,’ Asian Action Showstopper From Tanigaki Kenji and Bill Kong, Sets Toronto Market Launch (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned cinema connoisseur with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, let me express my excitement about this upcoming martial arts actioner, “The Furious,” directed by Tanigaki Kenji. Having grown up watching the likes of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee on the silver screen, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I read about this film. The fact that it boasts a pan-Asian cast, with some familiar faces like Joe Taslim and Jeeja Yanin, makes me eager to witness the fusion of martial arts styles from different parts of Asia on one screen.


Japanese filmmaker Kenji Tanigaki has finished making “The Furious” – a high-octane martial arts action movie featuring top-tier Asian martial artists – in Bangkok, Thailand.

The movie, penned by Mak Tin Shu, tells the story of an ordinary tradesman, skillfully played by mainland Chinese actor Xie Miao. This character embarks on a desperate journey, navigating through a tangled network of crooks and corrupt officials, all in a desperate bid to rescue his abducted daughter using whatever means available.

(For full Bangkok set report see here.)

The film was created by renowned producer Bill Kong (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Hero”), along with Frank Hui and Shan Tam. This movie boasts an international cast from Asia, which includes Joe Taslim of Indonesia (“The Raid,” “Mortal Kombat”), the Thai actress Jeeja Yanin (“Chocolate”), Yang Enyu, Brian Le, Joey Iwanaga, and Yayan Ruhian.

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to announce that I, Michael J. Werner, have joined forces with Todd Brown and Aram Tertzakian at XYZ Films, taking on the role of executive producer. This collaboration promises to be an exciting new chapter in my filmmaking journey!

1. Kong’s Edko Films is bankrolling the production of the movie and will release it in Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China. Meanwhile, XYZ Films will manage sales worldwide, showcasing the film to potential buyers at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for all other territories.

Over the past two decades, Tanigaki has established himself as a gold standard in fight coordination across Asia, often collaborating with renowned figures like Donnie Yen and Soi Cheang. He served as the stunt coordinator for Soi Cheang’s “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In,” which broke records this year as the highest-grossing local film at the Hong Kong box office. Additionally, Tanigaki directed the action sequences in the popular manga and anime adaptations of “Rurouni Kenshin.”

Tanigaki explained to EbMaster, “Our approach is dramatically distinct from ‘Walled In.’ We’re intensely dedicated to authenticity, and I’m pleased that we’re innovating within the realm of martial arts films.”

XYZ boasts an extensive background in martial arts and action films, with its involvement spanning projects such as the “Raid” series directed by Gareth Evans, along with “The Night Comes for Us” and “Headshot.”

In addition to “Daniela Forever,” which is a TIFF Platform title helmed by Nacho Vigalondo with Henry Golding and Beatrice Grannó in leading roles, XYZ’s upcoming sales and productions in Toronto feature an impressive lineup. These include:

Kong’s Edko is a highly successful company in Asia that takes on the roles of producer, exhibitor, and distributor. They have an impressive portfolio, such as Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution,” Zhang Yimou’s “House of Flying Daggers,” and the recent hit “Full River Red.” Their recent successes also include the “Table for Six” series, the record-breaking “A Guilty Conscience,” and “Anita.” As a distributor, they have managed films like “Monster,” “Drive My Car,” “Parasite,” “The Lives of Others,” and “3 Idiots.”

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2024-08-23 17:16