Martial arts legend Tony Jaa (“Ong Bak”) and Scott Adkins (“The Bourne Ultimatum”) have joined the cast of The Exchange’s 3D reboot of “Kickboxer,” which stars Dave Bautista, former UFC champion George St. Pierre and Alain Moussi.
“Kickboxer” follows Kurt Sloan (Moussi), a talented martial artist who travels to Thailand where he must learn the secrets of the kickboxer to avenge his brother’s death at the hands of Tong Po (Bautista).
Stephen Fung (“Tai Chi Zero”) is directing the movie, which will feature more than 20 different martial arts disciplines.
“Guardians of the Galaxy” star Bautista has long-wrestled professionally for WWE but he also has formal backgrounds in Kali, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Moussi is a practitioner of karate, Kickboxing, Aikido, Goshindo, Kobudo, Filipino martial arts, Sambo, Judo and Jiu-Jitsu.
St. Pierre practices Kyokushin karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing and wrestling along with a vast array of talents stemming from a mixed martial arts background.
Adkins has a lengthy resume in the action genre with roles in “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “The Expendables 2.” He also shared the screen with original “Kickboxer” star Jean-Claude Van Damme, battling the legend on screen in “Universal Soldier: Day of Recknoning.” Adkins has backgrounds in Taekwondo, kickboxing, and judo.
Jaa is the star of the cult classic “Ong Bak” series. He also starred in “The Protector” and will soon be seen in “Fast & Furious 7.” Jaa is trained in Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Muay Boran, Aikido, Judo and Wushu.
The film is produced by Ted Field of Radar Films, Dimitri Logothetis and Nick Celozzi. Mike Weber and Peter Meyer will executive produce.
“‘Kickboxer’ will display a style of acrobatic, rapid-fire martial arts action that Scott Adkins is increasingly becoming synonymous with,” said The Exchange’s Brian O’Shea. “Along with Tony Jaa, ‘Kickboxer’ has compiled a talented cast to push the boundaries of the martial arts form.”
Both Jaa and Adkins are represented by the Gersh Agency.
