With Tony Jaa recently posting photos of himself alongside Jason Statham, it looks as if recent problematic negotiations have been resolved and that we'll see him in Fast & Furious 7 alongside Statham, Kurt Russell, Vin Diesel and the returning members of the high-octane franchise. The film is currently shooting in Colorado for a July 2014 release. Fingers crossed for a smoother ride to the screen, then, than some of Jaa's previous problematic outings.
In the meantime and away from that metaphorical elephant in the room we can move to an actual physical elephant and more publicity emerging for another of Jaa's anticipated projects: Tom Yum Goong 2 (otherwise known as The Protector 2 in America and some territories) directed by Prachya Pinkaew. Once again, Jaa's character has problems with an animal that won't be trunkated and the resolution involves plenty of martial arts - why change a template that worked the first time?
Filmed in 3D and with additional wirework, the film also features RZA whose role (on both sides of the camera) in The Man with the Iron Fists - despite some middling reviews - moved him further centre-stage and highlighted his love of the martial-arts genre. A trailer for the film has now been released, though the 3D effects on show for it are the kind for which you'll need the old-fashioned green/red glasses (Or you can switch the 3D off in the YouTube settings!). The new poster also seems to suggest the level of stunts which will be on show with Jaa seemingly tackling a motor-bike and rider in mid-air?
The film is released widely later this month in its domestic Thai territory and will hit Hong Kong and Singapore thereafter. No exact US release date has been fully confirmed as yet...
