American martial artist Marrese Crump is in talks with ONG BAK director Prachya Pinkaew to star in the Thai action director’s latest film opposite CHOCOLATE star Jeeja (Jija) Yanin. The announcement was first made back in September through a video promo on Youtube released by Elamintal Multimedia.
Crump, a veteran martial artist who began pursuing a career in the movie industry in 2005, recently met with Pinkaew and his team at Baa Ram Ewe Studios in Bangkok, Thailand and upon his return expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity. “We are all confident that we will be making a quality film that both fans and martial arts practitioners alike will appreciate and be proud of,” said Crump.
During his visit, Crump was also able to train with members of action director Panna Rittikrai’s stunt team as the following video reveals.
Further details on this project are unknown but it is known that Pinkaew is currently at work on two other productions. One is CITY OF ANGELS, his first English-language production with MORTAL KOMBAT star Robin Shou attached as writer and co-star and Rittikrai signed to choreograph the action. Pinkaew’s other film is TA BANG MARN, a period actioner that Sahamongkol Films is describing as follows.
“The new epic martial arts action adventure set in a land long forgotten in the Southeast Asian history. Prachya Pinkaew is back to direct his most ambitious project to date about a group of village girls who team up to protect the “special child” that will change the destiny of the region against all harm.”
As for Jeeja Yanin, the star of CHOCOLATE is currently starring in her second action film RAGING PHOENIX alongside Vietnamese-French martial artist Kazu Patrick Tang. The film recently opened in Malaysia.
Crump will first be making his debut in 2010 as an actor and fight choreographer in WRONG SIDE OF TOWN, an actioner starring Rob Van Dam as an ex-Navy Seal forced to revert to his training to fend off hired killers after he accidentally kills a night club owner during an altercation.
Correction: Elamintal Multimedia is not owned or controlled by Marrese Crump as initially suggested.
Sources: Twitch, The Hollywood Reporter
Related Topics:JeeJa Yanin • Marrese Crump • Panna Rittikrai • Prachya Pinkaew • upcoming
