Statham finds his funny bone with Susan Cooper

Source: Variety
Jason Statham has finally signed on to appear in the Melissa McCarthy action spy comedy Susan Cooper which will be written and directed by McCarthy's frequent collaborator Paul Feig, the man behind Bridesmaids and The Heat.

There were rumours last year that Statham was circling the project and indeed he had indicated in interviews that he would like to tackle the action comedy or buddy cop genre that, in the 80s, spawned things like the Beverley Hills Cop and Lethal Weapon franchises.

McCarthy is riding high off the back of some high profile successes and I, personally, think the pair up could be an interesting one. Of course I'd also love to see Statham do a more traditional style buddy cop pairing too, with the emphasis on the action over the comedy, but until then I will be first in line to see Susan Cooper.

Statham has shown his comic chops in the Guy Ritchie films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and, of course, in the Crank films, so there is precedent. We here are, of course, huge fans of Statham and anything that continues his run of big screen ass kickery is all good by us.

What do you think? Let us know your thoughts!!

-The Kick Ass Kid

Darren Shahlavi to co-star in new Jean Claude Van Damme film 'Pound Of Flesh'

Source: Impact Online
One time guest of the show Darren Shahlavi will be squaring off against none other than Jean-Claude Van Damme in upcoming revenge action flick 'Pound Of Flesh'
Directed by previous Van Damme collaborator Ernie Barbarash (Assassination Games and Six Bullets), the action sees JCVD heading back to China playing
"a former military man forced to walk the road of vengeance when a chance encounter with a beautiful woman ends with him waking up in a bathtub full of ice... and the kidney he had planned to donate to the dying daughter of his estranged brother, on its way to the hands of the highest bidder."

The exciting news is that the high-impact fight choreography will be done by longtime Donnie Yen mainstay John Salvitt and that the main villain in the film will be played by our very own Britkicker, Darren Shahlavi!

Darren had this to say about the film:
"I've wanted to work with Jean-Claude Van Damme for so many years and I'm very excited to be finally getting to work with him on such a great project as Pound of Flesh. I love the script and the team that Director Ernie Barbarash and the Producers have put together for this film, including fight choreographer John Salvitti who I am also a huge fan of.
I look forward to working hard with everyone to make an awesome action thriller that will make the fans very happy and deliver on all levels.
I'd like to thank Mike Leeder for bringing me to the attention of Jean-Claude, Ernie and the rest of the Producers and pushing for me as always.'

The film will also feature John Ralston (Degrassi The Next Generation) as Van Damme's onscreen brother, William B Davis (cigarette smoking villain from the X-Files) as the mysterious Rants, Charlotte Peters as Anna and Kris Van Varenberg/Kris Van Damme as Marcello.
It starts shooting at the end of March.

You can hear our interview with Darren Shahlavi HERE

More on this as it comes in!
-The Kick Ass Kid

Tony Jaa's The Protector 2 NEW Poster

Directed by Prachya Pinkaew 

Starring Tony Jaa, RZA, Mum Jokmok, Marrese Crump, Jija Yanin Wismitanan, Ratha Pho-ngam, Kazu Patric Tang, Kalp Hongratanaporn and David Ismalone 

Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his own home – the killer delivered three fatal blows on his body – all evidence points to KHAM (Tony Jaa), who was present at the crime scene and was seen with the victim the moment before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launches a pursuit. Meanwhile, the twin nieces of Boss Suchart (Jija Yanin Wismitanan and Teerada Kittisiriprasert) are out for revenge. But luck is on Kham’s side when he runs into Sergeant MARK (Mum Jokmok), an Interpol agent sent to Thailand on a secret mission.

As Kham is hunted by several parties, he’s also desperately searching for KHON, his elephant, whose disappearance is involved with Boss Suchart’s death. In another twist, Kham is drawn into an underground fighting ring run by LC (RZA), a crime lord who’s obsessed with collecting top-class martial artists from around the world. LC’s fighters are branded only by numbers, such as the lethal, beautiful TWENTY (Ratha Pho-ngam) and the diabolical NO.2 (Marrese Crump). These fighters are ordered to defeat and capture Kham for a special mission that LC has in mind.

A sequel of the global smash-hit “Tom Yam Goong” (or “The Protector”), TYG2-3D is an extreme fight movie, an endlessly intense, nerve-racking film full of fists, elbows, kicks and daredevil stunt scenes and amazingly choreographed fighting moves that will pump hot blood through the body of all action fans. All in the in-your-face 3D spectacle!

For more info: Official Site: www.protector2.com 

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Protector2TonyJaa

The Expendables 3 OFFICIAL Teaser Trailer

Unlike other, so called, reputable film news sites - Total Film, Collider.com, Den of Geek etc. we actually waited till the REAL teaser trailer was available.
For those of you who don't know, a fan made trailer, using some impressive graphics and footage from other films, was shared by professional and fan sites this morning, despite clearly being made up from footage from other films and debuting on YouTube in November. Not US though :) (sorry feeling VERY smug)

Here is, however, the official teaser for Expendables 3!


WHAT DID YOU THINK?
let us know!
- The Kick Ass Kid

'ORIGINAL GANGSTAS 2: OLD SCHOOL GANGSTAS' KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

A few days ago we reported on the fantastic news that Fred Williamson's Po' Boy Productions and Bargain Basement Productions are teaming up for Old School Gangstas, the follow-up to Original Gangstas. You can read more HERE

Well the Kickstarter campaign went live today and there are all sorts of groovy prizes for supporting the film but, really, the biggest incentive is to see this awesome film get made.
The Hammer, Jim Brown and Pam 'Coffy' Grier joining up together again for a movie? Once was mind-blowing enough, twice is exceptionally cool.

Here's what The Hammer himself has to say about the campaign:

"Fred Williamson has the script, actors, and production schedule lined up. The only thing holding back the film is funding. With his 40+ years of production experience writing/directing/acting/producing via his company Po' Boy Productions, Williamson can make a $1.2 million dollar film that will go toe-to-toe with any big studio picture. With YOUR HELP, The Hammer & co. can make OLD SCHOOL GANGSTAS independently, and with style. This film will deliver. Thank you!"

We here at Dr.Action and the Kick Ass Kid and The After Movie Diner will be supporting and reporting on this film up to the day of its release so please join us, won't you and give generously. Chances like this never come again.

- The Kick Ass Kid

Original Gangstas 2 rolls into production!

Bargain Basement Productions posted this on their Facebook page earlier today:

"Fred "The Hammer" Williamson's Po' Boy Productions and Bargain Basement Productions are teaming up for OLD SCHOOL GANGSTAS, the follow-up to ORIGINAL GANGSTAS. This film will re-unite The Hammer, Jim Brown, Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree, and Robert Forster, plus adding Bernie Casey, Gloria Hendry, and Antonio Fargas to the mix. We launch the epic $1.2 million Kickstarter campaign this Sunday, December 15. Forget The Expendables, the old school is coming back! Are you ready?"

Are we ready? er... YES! the first one was a great, fun, entertaining and awesome, kick ass action flick and one of my favourites. Considering the inability of anyone in Hollywood to cast The Hammer, Jim Brown or Pam Grier in any of the new wave of action films, you have to respect that these titans of action cinema are doing it for themselves AGAIN.
It's been especially disappointing that Pam Grier has not been mentioned more prominently in the continued attempts to get The Expendabelles off the ground because when we think of tough, strong women, we think of Pam.
No matter though, they will all get to flex their muscles and crack some skulls in the upcoming Old School Gangstas!

So according to the statement there is a kickstarter campaign being launched for the film on December 15th and we will have the details of that on this site the moment we get them. We hope you'll all contribute because this film HAS to get made.

UPDATE: Support the KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

There is a Twitter account for the film you can follow:
https://twitter.com/OriginalGsPart2
and here are some of the highlights of that Twitter feed so far:

Stick around action fans, we'll report more news as we get it!
- The Kick Ass Kid

Paul Walker R.I.P.

It is very sad news that Paul Walker, 40, star of The Fast & Furious franchise has passed away in a single, horrific car accident today.
An official statement on his Facebook page reads:

It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide. He was a passenger in a friend's car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news. Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences. - #TeamPW

Readers of the site and listeners to our podcasts know that both the Doc and I are huge fans of the crime/racing/action films and long before the recent, high-profile, additions of The Rock, Kurt Russell and Jason Statham, Paul Walker WAS The Fast and Furious franchise, along with co-stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster.

Part 6 was a big hit this summer and Part 7, which was recently shooting is due out in 2014 with a Part 8 which had been tentatively planned already. Walker also has the drama film 'Hours' due for release on December 13 about a father struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

His co-star in the Fast and Furious films, Ludacris said this:
Ludacris "Your humble spirit was felt from the start, wherever you blessed your presence you always left a mark, we were like brothers & our birthdays are only 1 day apart, now You will forever hold a place in all of our hearts @paulwalker legacy will live on forever. R.I.P."

Our thoughts are with his and the driver's friends and family. A tragic loss, too young.