After his first few Thai films, where he was heavily involved in the action genre, Jaa inevitably moved into international films. Films like Furious 7, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, Skin Trade, Triple Threat and Kill Zone 2 have all used him, but the Thai star hasn’t quite reached the level of showmanship he displayed in his earlier films. The upcoming film Strike Rescue may just be a return to form. It was recently reported that the film has been acquired by established martial arts film distributor Well Go USA for North American distribution
rights.
Well Go USA has just released the official, powerful trailer for Strike Rescue. According to THR, “Directed by Cheng Siyi, the revenge action film follows An Bai (Jiaa), a skilled Muay Thai master who embarks on an uncompromising mission of revenge after his wife and daughter are brutally murdered by mysterious forces. The film also stars Chinese actors Hong Junjia and Shi Yanneng.”
The film is an original production of the Chinese streaming service Youku, which will release the film to its subscribers in China on Friday. Striking Rescue will also be the first Youku original film to receive distribution in the U.S., and the company plans to use this as a jumping-off point for expanding its content and theatrical releases into international markets. The action-packed thriller was pitched to international buyers at the American Film Market this week by Beijing-based Blossoms Entertainment.
In addition, a distribution deal has also been struck with Shinesaeng Ad.Venture, which will see Stiking Rescue receive a theatrical release in Jaa’s home country of Thailand. The film opened in Thai cinemas on December 5 and then in North American cinemas on December 6.