The latest cinematic love letter to the world of mixed martial arts will feature long-time silver screen star Russell Crowe playing the mentor of a ONE Championship athlete, played by Daniel MacPherson (Foundation, Land of Bad).
Crowe also co-wrote the film alongside Dave Frigerio (Land of Bad, Signal), which will feature MacPherson’s character Patton James as a former mixed martial artist who seeks to help and avenge his brother (Mojean Aria), who was seriously injured during a fight, as financial burdens loom over the family.
The movie filmed its climactic scene at the recent ONE 170 event at the world’s most famous Muay Thai stadium, Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
“The world we’ve created is a true reflection of the sport to ensure the film resonates with fans,” film producer John Schwarz said. “Our climactic scene was recently filmed in Thailand at a real ONE Championship fight environment with over 10,000 people. Our actors have trained tirelessly to ensure knockout performances that embody the explosive raw energy and emotion of MMA fights.”
While it is not certain yet which ONE fighters may cameo in the movie, ONE 170 featured past and present MMA, kickboxing, and Muay Thai champions such as Tawanchai PK Saenchai, Superbon Banchamek, Fabricio Andrade, Masaaki Noiri, Nabil Anane, and ‘The Man Who Yields to No One’, Saeksan Or. Kwanmuang.
One of the greatest jiu-jitsu competitors ever, Marcelo Garcia, also came out of retirement to compete for the first time since 2011, as he submitted fellow legend Masakazu Imanari.
Past mixed martial arts films on the big screen have had mixed results, with the high points being films like Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Bloodsport (1980) and Warrior (2011), which starred Tom Hardy.
Luke Hemsworth (Land of Bad, Westworld), Kelly Gale (Plane, Uglies), George Burgess (Land of Bad, Spartacus), Bren Foster (The Last Ship, Life After Fighting), and Saphira Moran (It Will Find You) round out the cast. Tyler Atkins (Bosch & Rockit) directs.
The film is produced by John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz from Deeper Water Films, David Frigerio from Broken Open Pictures, and Tim O’Hair from Armagh Films while executive producers are Shane Abbess, Brett Thornquest, Jamie Arscott, Lisa Wilson, and Myles Nestel.
There is as yet no release date for the motion picture, with filming still underway in Bangkok, Thailand and Sydney, Australia.
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