If you've been wondering what's taking Tony Jaa so long to finish up work on his upcoming martial arts film Ong Bak 2, well ... you're not the only one. And a series of stories have appeared in the Thai press recently that paint a very strange picture. Apparently Jaa walked off the set two months ago, stressed over the work load of his directorial debut. That much people agree on. But this is where the story gets strange.
Some reports say that Jaa has retreated to some remote caves in northern Thailand to meditate and / or practice black magic and claim that his mentor Panna Rittikrai was sent to find Jaa and bring him back some time ago with no success. These reports also seem to be of the opinion that Jaa has gone about three times over budget and that the production funds have dried up. Other reports say that Jaa hasn't actually disappeared - that he's actually been seen with his family and that colleagues have been in touch with zero signs of black magic. Another report from Thailand's biggest daily paper says that they had a reporter meet with Jaa at a 'safe house' - and why on earth does he need to use a safe house? - where he denied running over budget, claiming instead that Sahamongkol Films only ever provided him with half of the budgeted production funds, leaving him to make up the shortfall out of his own pocket and claiming that he is now personally bankrupt as a result - unable to pay his mortgage and with his electricity disconnected.
No matter what's true - and this is such a mess I doubt a clear picture is going to emerge any time soon - it's obvious that Jaa is a mess. Sahamongkol, for their part, aren't saying much about the situation but have called in original Ong Bak director Prachya Pinkaew finish shooting the remaining 20% of the film. Now if only they can get Jaa to come in and do his parts ...
All I know is the promo reel for this thing - available in the Twitch Player below the break - is spectacular and I want it now.
I love you Tony,you need to finish this film. Let someone else direct.
if they have already shooted all the action, they can just release the film right away and don't bother shooting the 20%
Those are some strange stories indeed. Hopefully it will all pan out in the end.
I don't think they can release the film now.
What's missing is the big climactic scenes. Some of the stories have said Tony's excuse for taking such a long time to finish is because he was off meditating and thinking about the moves and stunts he wanted to do.
Which is crazy. Isn't there a script? Script? What's that?
Will Tony come back? Can Prachya or Panna or whomever's taking over match the intensity of that showreel?
We shall see. Hopefully. Someday.
At the bottom of whatever is going on -- the sacrificing of live chickens on set -- money is the main issue. It's always money.
Bummer :(
Oh man, that sucks.
Jeezum crow, that looks good!
Damn! Wish this wasn't stalled like it is....looks like a vast improvement on ONG BAK which is very good news as I thought it had great potential but failed to capitalized on it.
The story where he beat up his mother and sister was already taken.
He's just looking for his elephant, geez.
JAAPOCALYPSE NOW update - Variety says he's emerged from the wilderness and turned up on a TV talk show safe, sound, and prepared to document his ONG BAK 2 spending.
cant wait for this to get released,looks fantastic,tony jaa is the man. i was reading earlier comments about stunt doubles dont forget tony was a stunt man b4 he started acting.