Down below this article is the press release for The Warrior’s Way, an upcoming film starring Jang Dong Gun. The film is about an East Asian warrior assassin who is forced to hide in the American badlands after refusing a mission. Along the way, he meets a hot white chick who he makes out with, fights cowboys, and then fights ninjas.
But a press release without any form of opinion is kind of boring, so let me tell you first what I think about this film and its possible impact on the mainstream audiences. First of all, I’m glad to see a film where an Asian man actually kisses a white woman because far too often, you don’t see that happening with ANY woman. So that’s one tally in my score card. Second, this film has Geoffrey Rush. Gosh, what a fantastic actor. Third, I love ninjas. I also love cowboys. This film has both. Awesome!
But it’s discouraging that this film is another example where the only time an Asian actor can actually get any hype is if he is a foreign national superstar. Don’t get me wrong — Jang Dong Gun is one sexy beast, but there’s this element of him being foreign that amps up his reputation, rather than just him being an actor who just HAPPENS to be from South Korea. If an Asian American actor was cast as the warrior, I highly doubt you would get as much hype for this film.
It would have been really cool if Jang Dong Gun played a cowboy who was formerly a ninja. While people can argue it’s hard for mainstream audiences to imagine an Asian playing a cowboy, it’s been done with The Good, The Bad, The Weird, a fantastic film starring Choi Jae-Won and Kim Jee-Woon.
So there’s my 2 cents on the film and the possible roads it could’ve taken. But we are not here to criticize or rant, we are here to celebrate a really cool looking film with a top notch cast combined with a visionary flair that looks to be a lot of fun. The press release for The Warrior’s Way is after the jump:
The Warrior’s Way, starring Jang Dong Gun, opens in theaters nationwide this Friday December 3rd, released by Relativity Media.
Jang Dong Gun and Kate Bosworth star in Relativity Media's The Warrior's Way. -- COPYRIGHT: © 2010 Laundry Warrior Ltd.
The Warrior’s Way, released by Relativity Media, is a visually dazzling modern ACTION adventure with stunningly choreographed fight sequences and gravity-defying stunts. In an original, gorgeously realized journey into a mythical past, writer and director Sngmoo Lee seamlessly marries the cinematic traditions of East and West. Korean superstar Jang Dong Gun, Kate Bosworth, Danny Huston and Academy Award® winner Geoffrey Rush star in this epic story of revenge and redemption.
The Warrior’s Way is written and directed by Sngmoo Lee AND stars Jang Dong Gun (Friend, Taegukgi:The Brotherhood of War), Kate Bosworth (21, Superman Returns), Geoffrey Rush (Shine, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl), Danny Huston (The Conspirator, Robin Hood), Tony Cox (Bad Santa, Meet Monica Velour) and Ti Lung (Frozen, Dynasty of Blood). The film is produced by Barrie M. Osborne (the Lord of the Rings franchise), Jooick Lee (Seven Swords) and Michael Peyser (Matilda, Hackers). The director of photography is Woo-hyung Kim (Late Autumn). Production designer is Dan Hennah (Underworld: Rise of the Lycans). Editor is Jonno-Woodford Robinson (King Kong). Costume designer is three-time Academy Award winner James Acheson (The Last Emperor, Dangerous Liaisons and Restoration). Original music is by Javier Navarrete (Pan’s Labyrinth). Executive producers are Tim White (The Boys Are Back, Ned Kelly) and Eui Hong.
After a lifetime of training in PREMIER LEVEL swordsmanship, Yang (Jang Dong Gun) has eliminated all but one of his clan’s enemies—an infant whose smile instantly melts his heart. Unwilling to kill her and unable protect her from his own deadly tribe, Yang takes the baby girl and flees, planning to seek refuge with an old friend living in Lode, a frontier town in the American West. He arrives to find that his friend has died and the once-thriving Gold Rush town is in shambles, inhabited only by a few dozen eccentrics including Lynne (Kate Bosworth), a beautiful, spirited knife thrower-in-training, and Ron, a worn-out drunk (Geoffrey Rush). In order to make a safe home for the child far from the reach of his murderous clansman, Yang decides to stay on as the town’s new laundryman, sealing his sword for good.
The Warrior’s Way is Sngmoo Lee’s feature film debut; and he was determined to make an impact with this project. “When I first had a chance to direct a film, I wanted to do something new.” says filmmaker Lee. “A cross culture film was always my interest. It’s my urge to see something on screen that I’ve never seen before.”
Jang Dong Gun stars in Relativity Media's The Warrior's Way. -- COPYRIGHT: © 2010 Laundry Warrior Ltd.
Already a box office sensation in Asia, Jang Dong Gun makes his Hollywood debut with The Warrior’s Way. Many are already considering him next in line, as Hollywood’s next Jackie Chan or Jet Li. Jang Dong Gun says “It feels great to hear that [those comparisons]. But this is just the beginning. For now, I’ll just continue to work hard.”
His colleagues are already comparing to other Hollywood greats.“Jang Dong Gun is like Clint Eastwood for me” says co-star Danny Huston. “He’s got this wonderful face, which doesn’t have to act or –over express his sentiments… Which for me is perfect for a western!”
The Warrior’s Way, released by Relativity Media, opens nationwide Friday December 3, 2010.
For more information, please visit the official movie site: http://www.iamrogue.com/thewarriorsway
