Martial arts film is at a crossroads. Yes, the fan base is still worldwide and massive but the supply of talent is in crisis and has been for years. Pretty much right from the beginning we have looked to China and Hong Kong for our screen fighters but the golden days of the Shaw Brothers grooming young talent, the Yuen Clan cherry picking the best youngsters and the Beijing Opera turning out performers by the boat load have long since passed. Look at what's happening in Hong Kong film right now: Jet Li and Jackie Chan are both losing ground to age and talking retirement, leaving only Donnie Yen as a prime, top of his game fighter. The next generation? With the exception of Wu Jing it's simply not there, or if it is nobody has recognized it yet. If you're looking for fresh fists of fury turn your attention to foreign lands folks because the chances of an unknown savior appearing to save the game in Hong Kong are looking bleak. So the time has come, friends, to look to other nations.
Thailand has already become a leader with Tony Jaa and Dan Chupong filling the roles of a Thai Jet Li and Thai Jackie Chan respectively - the former the pure fighter, the second the stunt man / performer - and Chocolate has surely brought a fresh new face on to the scene in Jija Yanin. But who else is out there? Well here you go: from five different countries I present five different fighters with the potential to - if you'll pardon the bad pun - kick start the industry once again.
1. Sasisa Jindamanee (Thailand)
We start the list off with the only female on it, the pint sized Thai dynamo Sasisa Jindamanee. You know her as the little girl who gets thrown across the screen to crash on a wooden balconey in Born to Fight and with a major role in Som Tum opposite the hulking Nathan Jones it's clear that Sahamongkol is grooming the young muay thai fighter to be a major star. And it's also clear that she's up to it. Sasisa may be young but she's got the goods, able to throw and - more impressively - take a punch with the best of them. She's got years ahead of her and will only get better over time.
2. Mathis Landwehr (Germany)
All those bits in V For Vendetta when Hugo Weaving was moving in ways Hugo Weaving cannot move? That was Mathis Landwehr. The talented young Berliner was also the driving force behind Germany's first - and only - martial arts film, and has been tearing up the festival circuit this year with a key role in much loved short film KINGZ. He's young, attractive, very talented and - key for Hollywood - he speaks English. Frankly I'm amazed nobody's picked up on this guy yet, whoever gets there first is going to have a significant star on their hands.
3. Cyril Raffaelli (France)
Baffled at where the high quality fight and stunt work comes from in all those big French movies, particularly those from Luc Besson's hit factory? The answer is Cyril Raffaelli. A hugely talented fighter, acrobat and stunt choreographer Raffaelli has become one of the most in-demand behind the scenes fight guys in the world. How in demand? How often do you see a white guy being hired on to do stunt work for films in Hong Kong? Raffaelli's done it. He's that good. Surprisingly, though, the behind the scenes work has not yet translated into more than a handful of appearances in front of the camera, again a baffling situation considering he's been featured in fights with Jet Li and easily carried the lead in international hit Banlieue 13. I figured that would be his big break but nope: only one on screen appearance in the four years since. People, you're missing a gold mine here.
4. Marko Zaror (Chile)
The big Chilean has won awards stunt doubling for Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and has torn up the international festival circuit with his made-in-Chile projects Kiltro and Mirageman. The second one, in particular, seems to be winning awards everywhere it plays, so don't expect Zaror to remain unknown - or unemployed - for long. Now, in the interests of full disclosure I should acknowledge that Zaror has become a personal friend over the past year and I've done some work for him behind the scenes so take this however you will, but I know how dedicated he is to his craft and I've seen treatments for no less than five different projects that are being prepared for him, all of which should make a major impact. Expect great things.
5. Johnny Nguyen (Vietnam / USA)
Like Zaror, Raffaelli and Landwehr, Nguyen has paid his dues behind the scenes building an extensive and impressive resume of big picture stunt work. He's one of only two men in the world who can say they've fought both Jet Li and Tony Jaa and all the fancy stuff in the first two Spider-Man films? That sure wasn't Tobey Maguire in the suit, it was Nguyen. But after years of trying - and failing - to break through in Hollywood Nguyen finally made the choice to move to Vietnam - the land his family fled when he was just a young child - and make a film of his own. The result was The Rebel, a film Johnny wrote, produced, stars in and choreographed while his brother Charlie directed - a film that has become the highest grossing Viet film of all time and won much love on the festival circuit. Again, Nguyen is extremely dedicated, extremely talented and extremely motivated. Expect more from him. Lots more.
Raffaelli got to be a baddie in Die Hard 4. Perhaps the same career path as Jet Li being the baddie in Lethal Weapon 4? Hmmm.
Also the dude did stunt choreography for The Incredible Hulk, Hitman and the upcoming Tekken movie. Surely that has to build some solid connections to start appearing in front of the camera more. He's good a great screen presence too.
It's a question of seaching in China. Out of a billion and a half people they couldn't find a few that can take the torch from jackie and Jet?
This is a tough one. It would be hard to imagine who could carry the torches of Jet Li, Jackie Chan, or even Bruce Lee. They all had great screen presence and acting know-how to make them the stars they became. I think one reason why the next star may not be from China, is that the MMA style of fighting is becoming more marketable and popular than the traditional Wushu and Wing Chun styles that dominated martial arts films for the past few decades. That could lead to the next star being from Thailand, France, or even America. Personally, I prefer the kung-fu style (I'm a sucker for the old school), and though the MMA style of fighters that are emerging are very impressive, I don't feel the same excitement as I do when I watch a Venom flick, or Fist of Legend, or Drunken Master, or Game of Death, etc. I guess that just brings us back to charisma, which Li, Chan, and Lee all had in common.
I did get a big kick out of watching Marc Dacascos back in the day, and it's a shame to see his talent get lost on the Food Network. And I do like your list, Todd. Those are all great guys and time will tell if they can blow up like the Chinese heroes before them.
I tell you what I would like to see is the next big martial arts star be a woman. It may not be too big of a stretch, any thoughts on that one?
Kim Hyo-Sun and Han Jeong-Su could do it in Korea. If there was ever a market for action stars, that is. The former is trying to get out of the action girl image, the latter has become a sageuk regular who occasionally kicks ass. But if they really wanted, they both have tons of talent in the action department and are good actors, especially Han Jeong-Su.
I think the genre is kind of dead (at least in Hollywood/North America) because these days anyone can “look” good at martial arts with quick edits, a few weeks of training in preproduction, half speed choreography, and stunt doubles. The days of Hollywood celebrating/showcasing martial arts action stars like Seagal & Van Damme are long gone. Why find real martial artists when you can make Matt Damon look like one in a few weeks? I’m sure these UFC guys will start showing up in more and more movies but I’d take Jeff Speakman over any of them any day.
One of the most important intangibles is to be able to sell the fighting onscreen. There are many that in real life are masters in various forms of kung fu and martial arts that onscreen simply can't translate it. The audience has to visually feel and experience the style coming from the performance and if the person can't translate it to any degree it will fall flat. There is a certain exaggeration and varied nuiances someone brings to display it while trying to keep it grounded in reality. Then of course there has to be a beating heart and soul behind the fighting, so it simply isn't someone ho hum going through the motions, which is where charisma becomes an important factor. The spirit behind any punch, kick or move of Bruce Lee for instance is amazing to watch. Whereas today I see people fighting and though they are doing the moves they might as well be thinking about grocery shopping or which bar they are drinking at that night, lol.
I also don't think someone necessarily has to be a master in real life to pull it off in a film, there can be exceptions. Take Leung Kar Yan for instance. Incidentally the Yuen Woo Ping film Legend of a Fighter that also features Yasuaki Kurata with Leung Kar Yan, is a great example of showing real world styles into immersive and hard hitting cinema action.
One of the problems I feel now are that we have many good action stars that can do fighting or action with short takes, but not with longer takes where more complex action happens. I think it's the stars that like in the Shaw Brothers hay day in the 70's pull off multiple moves and feets of complex action in longer takes that separate the truly great from the not so great. To a certain degree there has to be more Yuen Woo Ping training schools or those like what the Shaw Brothers had to further help cultivate the next generation.
@momodotcom: Yes, I do agree charisma or onscreen presence is just as valid as martial art skills but it won't mean as much if its film poorly. I remember watching the Bourne movies and I couldn't understand what was going on because the way its shot. It wasn't a question if the stunt guys or Matt Damon weren't capable, I know because I seen behind the scenes video. The fights would have look good if the director kept the cam steady, or not have quick cuts and no close up but instead, it was an incoherent mess. I enjoy watching a well executed fight but also a well-shot fight. Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen understand that a compelling fight scene is not just athletic ability alone but having an understanding what would look would good behind the cam. When Jackie is working with his own crew in Hong Kong where he has more control, the action is so much better than Hollywood.
To see a convincing female action heroine is very rare right now. Oh, how I miss the days when the girl with guns genre in Hong Kong with the great Moon Lee and Yukari Oshima was popular. These tough female action actress really push themselves in performing some hard hitting stunt/action, even if it means putting themselves in harms way and taking some bumps or bruises. Thats the kind of commitment and hardship I don't see in todays female action actress. Other then Jeeja, I can't think of any contenders. If anyone mention Charlies Angel or Ultraviolet, I'm going to throw up.
I work with some of the action guys here in Japan and we've often had this conversation.
The thing they always stress is 'Being Natural'. You can have charisma, great skill at being flexible but if you can't understand the timing or looking natural for the cameras...then it's a waste. Currently, Donny Yen is their fav.
After watching a few flicks with them and having them analyze and point out each flaw or great moment in a fight scene, I have to agree.
People like Jackie have an amazing sense of timing and really make things look natural and flawless, even back in the 80's without super slick editing.
While the Bourne films are good and Damon did well, he is far too rigid, too static in his movements [even though the fights are designed to be real].
However, I do agree with momodotcom, Charisma goes a veryyyy long way to making an action star palatable for audiences, look at Bruce or Arnold...both stars have immense charisma wattage.
I think Wu Jing has the right stuff but lacks in the acting department, hopefully a few films under his belt will solve that.
I love Martial Arts films but if the character sucks, then I'm not interested.
Jackie and Jet [ for the most part ] inject life into their characters, especially in recent years and I only hope the new boys do the same.
[quote]I love Martial Arts films but if the character sucks, then I’m not interested.[/quote]
That's the only reason I'm going against it. the past used be all action and zero story/character engagement which was ok but to this day this kind of thing continues which I feel gives HK action movies (or in general) a laughable rep. thank god Wilson Yip were onto it and eventually proved that MA action movies can have soul and purpose. but all in all, doubts to new MA action movies are bound to always be there as most can't find nor master the requirements of a complete story accompanying the action scenes.
I take it what we're talking about is guys and girls who can really sell the martial arts without relying on quick edits and obvious stunt doubles. One of the most impressive screen fights I've ever seen was actually in the tv series Spooks (series 5 episode 2) where Razza Jaffrey fights an enemy agent. There was nothing particularly elaborate about it but all the blocks kicks and punches had a realism to them.
Johnny Ngyen's female costar in The Rebel, Thahn Van Ngo, was very good - her prison escape was one of the film's high points for me. Semra Turan impressed me in Fighter, too.
Another guy who impressed me recently was the knife expert in Open City - he has a great little scene where he takes apart a whole gang of machete wielding thugs.
Oh, GOOD call on Turan. Can't believe I forgot her. She's great in Fighter. National level martial artist so she's got the goods and is actually a very good actress as well.
Hey whatever happened to CGI Bruce Lee? Wasn't this supposed to be a Korean production awhile back?
Itto-
I know that Rob Cohen (Dragon:Bruce Lee Story, XXX, Fast & Furious, Mummy III) had his hand in that one for a while, but I think it went into development hell and was pulled (thank God)
The staff-wielding kid from HOUSE OF FURY is someone I'd like to see more often in the future.
Mwa ha ha ha!
That little guy?
I love his one consistent facial expression.
Somewhere between the Evil Dead tree rape and a Scanners victim.
Good for many a drunken jeering session.