
The Associate Press reports that Thai martial arts star Tony Jaa, whose latest movie ONG BAK 2 opened in select theaters last Friday, is suggesting that it’s a “matter of time” before he appears in a Hollywood production.
“I’m happy to know that there are people in the States who like my movies. Hollywood is the capital for the movie industry. It would be interesting to go there. It’s a matter of time,” said Jaa in response to written question from the AP.
ONG BAK 2: THE BEGINNING is a prequel of sorts to ONG BAK as it goes back in time to 16th-century Thailand to reveal the origin of the sacred relic that Jaa was tasked with retrieving in the previous film. Jaa now plays the orphaned son of a nobleman who is stripped of his station after the brutal murder of his parents. After training in martial arts he sets out for revenge.
The film is another showcase for Jaa’s amazing screen fighting talents and displays a much more brutal and wider array of fighting styles than its predecessor. It was directed by Jaa in his directorial debut until late in production when he got in over his head and briefly walked off set. After regaining his composure, Jaa returned and his mentor and ONG BAK action director Panna Rittikrai stepped in to direct the rest of the film.
Last month, Magnolia Pictures took the unusual step of pre-releasing ONG BAK 2 on several video-on-demand services including Amazon.com, Xbox Live and digital cable where it was being offered for limited viewing. The English-subtitled film premiered in 10 theaters last Friday and earned $26,500 over the weekend according to Box Office Mojo.
In contrast, Magnolia opened the first ONG BAK with English dubbing in 387 theaters four years ago and it earned $1.3 million on its opening weekend. The Weinstein Company had originally acquired the sequel and later sold the rights to Magnolia Pictures.
Jaa is currently finishing production on ONG BAK 3 which Sahamongkol Film originally hoped to have completed in time for release before the end of the year. But according to Twitch, producers have already pushed the release date forward to early 2010. The film will be a direct sequel to ONG BAK 2 and feature additional fights between Jaa and his co-star and fellow martial arts actor Dan Chupong.
Source: Associated Press via SF Gate
Tags: Ong Bak 2 (2008), Ong Bak 3 (2009), Tony Jaa









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