Tony Ja in Striking Rescue.
Well Go USA has snatched up North American distribution rights to the Chinese action movie Striking Rescue, starring Thai martial arts hero Tony Jaa. The film is produced by Chinese streamer Youku, which is releasing the film to its subscribers in China on Friday. It will be the first film from Youku to get a U.S. theatrical release. The project is a first step in Youku’s planned expansion into theatrical film production for international markets.
Directed by Cheng Siyi, the action revenge movie follows An Bai (Jaa), a veteran Muay Thai expert who goes on a take-no-prisoners mission of revenge after his wife and daughter are brutally murdered by mysterious forces. The film co-stars Chinese actors Hong Junjia and Shi Yanneng.
Striking Rescue is being shopped to international buyers at this week’s American Film Market by Beijing-based sales outfit Blossoms Entertainment. In addition to the North American agreement with Well Go, a deal is in place with Shinesaeng Ad.Venture for a theatrical release in Jaa’s native Thailand. The film will open in Thai cinemas on Dec. 5, followed by North American theaters on Dec. 6.
One of the last great martial arts stars, Jaa is a three-time Muay Thai champion famous for his explosive and inventive action sequences. His diverse collection of past hits includes Ong-Bak, Expend4bles, Paradox, Master Z: Ip Man Legacy and Detective Chinatown 3. The producers of Striking Rescue are promoting the film as Jaa’s return to the high-octane Muay Thai fight cinema tradition that made him famous.
Striking Rescue is produced by Yin Chao and Jerry Li, with Lin Zhenzhao serving as executive producer.