Nowadays, when people hear the name Justin Lin, they think big-time Hollywood director with installments in both the “Star Trek” reboot film series and the “Fast & Furious” franchise. But back in 2002, he was just an indie filmmaker with one little-known feature under his belt and not much credit to his name. That all changed with one film, his 2002 Sundance breakout, “Better Luck Tomorrow,” which he also edited, co-wrote, and co-produced with the help of Mr. “Can’t Touch This” himself, Mc Hammer. The film chronicles a group of young Asians in America who start as overachievers but quickly turn to a life of crime and violence. Though not based on a real story, Lin was influenced by the violence he saw in his 20s, such as the Columbine shootings and more directly the murder of Stuart Tay.
Speaking in a retrospective interview on the film with IGN, Lin said of the film’s success,...
Speaking in a retrospective interview on the film with IGN, Lin said of the film’s success,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Justin Lin has come aboard to direct Stakehorse, a crime thriller set up at Amazon MGM Studios.
Lin and his Perfect Storm Entertainment banner will also produce the feature, joining Todd Lieberman and Alex Young of Hidden Pictures on the project.
Justin Piasecki wrote the script, much of which is being kept in the stable. It is known that it centers on a horse veterinarian who has a side hustle doing medical work for criminals who may need work off the books.
Sources say the project is tonally similar to The Town, the crime thriller directed by Ben Affleck. The script landed near the top of the 2023 Black List.
Perfect Storm’s Andrew Schneider and Sal Gatdula will exec produce.
Lin is known for his action tentpoles, including several Fast and Furious movies and the last Chris Pine-led Star Trek movie, although he got his start by making his semi-autobiographical drama,...
Lin and his Perfect Storm Entertainment banner will also produce the feature, joining Todd Lieberman and Alex Young of Hidden Pictures on the project.
Justin Piasecki wrote the script, much of which is being kept in the stable. It is known that it centers on a horse veterinarian who has a side hustle doing medical work for criminals who may need work off the books.
Sources say the project is tonally similar to The Town, the crime thriller directed by Ben Affleck. The script landed near the top of the 2023 Black List.
Perfect Storm’s Andrew Schneider and Sal Gatdula will exec produce.
Lin is known for his action tentpoles, including several Fast and Furious movies and the last Chris Pine-led Star Trek movie, although he got his start by making his semi-autobiographical drama,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony hopes to wash the taste of Madame Web out of people’s mouths with a new official Spider-Man that has the strength of the MCU behind it. The next entry of the Marvel Studios Spider-Man franchise has been carefully planning its next steps as No Way Home celebrated the web crawler’s film legacy, then ultimately took Peter Parker back to his smaller roots in the end as a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. However, the previous trilogy director, Jon Watts, will not be returning to the new entry, so it’s now up in the air for who can take the reins.
World of Reel reveals that Sony and Marvel Studios are wanting to start production this fall, around September or October. However, they have not yet signed on a new director. It was reported last year that the front runner for the job in the wake of Watts stepping...
World of Reel reveals that Sony and Marvel Studios are wanting to start production this fall, around September or October. However, they have not yet signed on a new director. It was reported last year that the front runner for the job in the wake of Watts stepping...
- 3/26/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Marvel Studios has a bunch of new movies lined up, even though they’ve had some struggles with recent projects. Despite Iger saying they might slow down on releasing stuff because fans are getting tired of lower-quality shows and movies. But Spider-Man is still a big draw for them. It’s the most profitable Marvel franchise, no matter what.
Speaking of Spider-Man, in the MCU, there are already three standalone movies, and another one is on the way. Producer Amy Pascal confirmed this a while back. She said they were working on the sequel, but had to stop because of the WGA Strike. There were rumors going around a few months ago that the same director, Watts, would come back for the fourth one. But then people started saying Drew Goddard might take over instead.
Lately, there’s been talk that Jon Watts might not be directing ‘Spider-Man 4’ after losing a disagreement with Feige.
Speaking of Spider-Man, in the MCU, there are already three standalone movies, and another one is on the way. Producer Amy Pascal confirmed this a while back. She said they were working on the sequel, but had to stop because of the WGA Strike. There were rumors going around a few months ago that the same director, Watts, would come back for the fourth one. But then people started saying Drew Goddard might take over instead.
Lately, there’s been talk that Jon Watts might not be directing ‘Spider-Man 4’ after losing a disagreement with Feige.
- 3/26/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
MCU has quite a slate of movies coming up, even though Marvel Studios has hit a rough patch with the last couple of projects. There have been talks about releasing fewer projects, as fans are definitely becoming tired of shows and movies of lower quality; still, if one character always managed to drag people to movies, it’s Spider-Man, by far the most profitable Marvel franchise, no matter the product you’re looking at.
So far, talking about the MCU specifically, Spider-Man has three standalone movies and a fourth on the way. This was confirmed several months ago by producer Amy Pascal, who confirmed that the work on the sequel has been ongoing but stopped due to the solidarity with the ongoing WGA Strike at the time. Just several months ago, rumors were circulating that Watts is ready to return again as ‘Spider-Man’ 4 director. But then rumors appeared that Drew Goddard...
So far, talking about the MCU specifically, Spider-Man has three standalone movies and a fourth on the way. This was confirmed several months ago by producer Amy Pascal, who confirmed that the work on the sequel has been ongoing but stopped due to the solidarity with the ongoing WGA Strike at the time. Just several months ago, rumors were circulating that Watts is ready to return again as ‘Spider-Man’ 4 director. But then rumors appeared that Drew Goddard...
- 3/26/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
Exclusive: Paul Davidson, former head of The Orchard and Idw Entertainment, has launched development on a series adaptation of I Think We’ve Been Here Before, a new novel from bestselling author Suzy Krause.
Slated for global release via Lake Union Publishing and Radiant Press in Canada on September 24, the book is described as an inspiring and quirky family drama with a fantastical genre twist. It tells the story of the Jorgensen clan, watching as they prepare for the inevitable, after an official NASA announcement comes through indicating that a cosmic blast is set to render humanity extinct within a matter of months. As the planet holds its collective breath to see what happens next, this family proves determined to live every chaotic, emotional, hopeful and loving moment as if it’s their last.
“I Think We’ve Been Here Before was inspired by a dream I kept having about...
Slated for global release via Lake Union Publishing and Radiant Press in Canada on September 24, the book is described as an inspiring and quirky family drama with a fantastical genre twist. It tells the story of the Jorgensen clan, watching as they prepare for the inevitable, after an official NASA announcement comes through indicating that a cosmic blast is set to render humanity extinct within a matter of months. As the planet holds its collective breath to see what happens next, this family proves determined to live every chaotic, emotional, hopeful and loving moment as if it’s their last.
“I Think We’ve Been Here Before was inspired by a dream I kept having about...
- 2/5/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jim Hosking, the award-winning British filmmaker behind idiosyncratic Sundance titles The Greasy Strangler and An Evening with Beverly Luff Lin, has been tapped to direct Gleek, a sports action comedy that has Tim Heidecker and Dave Kneebone of renowned comedy-focused production company Abso Lutely amongst its producers.
Also produced by former Orchard and Idw Entertainment head Paul Davidson (upcoming Electric Dreams remake) and screenwriter Fabian Marquez (Better Luck Tomorrow), who together penned the script, the film tells the story of a hapless young man who discovers that his overactive salivary glands qualify him to compete in a secret, underground competition that holds the key to restoring his family’s good name.
In a statement on the project, Hosking shared that his mission in setting out to make a new film is “to take viewers on a trip they’ve never taken the likes of before,...
Also produced by former Orchard and Idw Entertainment head Paul Davidson (upcoming Electric Dreams remake) and screenwriter Fabian Marquez (Better Luck Tomorrow), who together penned the script, the film tells the story of a hapless young man who discovers that his overactive salivary glands qualify him to compete in a secret, underground competition that holds the key to restoring his family’s good name.
In a statement on the project, Hosking shared that his mission in setting out to make a new film is “to take viewers on a trip they’ve never taken the likes of before,...
- 1/19/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Last Sundance was marked by a number of new official cultural affinity “houses” at the festival, and they will all be back.
Sunrise Collective, comprised of Daniel Dae Kim’s production banner 3Ad, Gold House and The Asian American Foundation, will again host its Sunrise House for the greater Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community, taking over the restaurant Riverhorse on Main Street during Sundance’s opening weekend, Jan. 19 to 21.
“By creating spaces that cultivate Aanhpi artists, we are building strong conduits for our stories to not only be told, but celebrated,” Taaf CEO Norman Chen said in a statement. “This year we are grateful to work with our special advisors, award-winning filmmakers and Sundance alumni Tanya Selvaratnam and Shruti Ganguly, to develop programming that elevates our collective and diverse voices.”
Sunrise House will kick off the morning of Jan. 19 with a tribute to Michael Latt, the social...
Sunrise Collective, comprised of Daniel Dae Kim’s production banner 3Ad, Gold House and The Asian American Foundation, will again host its Sunrise House for the greater Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community, taking over the restaurant Riverhorse on Main Street during Sundance’s opening weekend, Jan. 19 to 21.
“By creating spaces that cultivate Aanhpi artists, we are building strong conduits for our stories to not only be told, but celebrated,” Taaf CEO Norman Chen said in a statement. “This year we are grateful to work with our special advisors, award-winning filmmakers and Sundance alumni Tanya Selvaratnam and Shruti Ganguly, to develop programming that elevates our collective and diverse voices.”
Sunrise House will kick off the morning of Jan. 19 with a tribute to Michael Latt, the social...
- 1/16/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fun trivia. In the "Star Trek" movies alone, an iteration of the U.S.S. Enterprise has been destroyed three times. In "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," Kirk (William Shatner) blows up the ship to prevent Klingons from gaining control. In "Star Trek: Generations," the Duras Sisters damage the Enterprise-d so badly, a portion of it needs to crash land on Veridian III. And in "Star Trek Beyond," drones controlled by the resentful Krall (Idris Elba) destroy the Enterprise at the end of the film's first act. That may seem like a lot of "Enterprise" destructions, but it's not as many as in the "Next Generation" episode "Cause and Effect," wherein audiences saw the Enterprise-d explode four times.
It was the destruction in "Star Trek Beyond" that caused some controversy among the filmmakers. Justin Lin, the director of "Better Luck Tomorrow" and five of the "Fast & Furious" movies helmed "Beyond,...
It was the destruction in "Star Trek Beyond" that caused some controversy among the filmmakers. Justin Lin, the director of "Better Luck Tomorrow" and five of the "Fast & Furious" movies helmed "Beyond,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The "Fast & Furious" saga is some of the most fun you can have with a movie franchise. Where most Hollywood properties make empty promises about diversity and inclusiveness, this is a franchise so diverse it actually just makes every actor in Hollywood Latino whether they want to be or not (in a good way). Sure, on the surface they seem like silly movies about cars and scantily-clad women looking at cars, but it is that -- and so much more.
Part of the ridiculous allure of this franchise is how earnest it is. The theme of family is more than a meme, it's the movie series' driving force. And then there's the nonsensical timeline and naming conventions for these films, which make them a hilarious puzzle to try and figure out. The timeline circles back on a whim, constantly re-contextualizing previous events and introducing and reintroducing characters and plot...
Part of the ridiculous allure of this franchise is how earnest it is. The theme of family is more than a meme, it's the movie series' driving force. And then there's the nonsensical timeline and naming conventions for these films, which make them a hilarious puzzle to try and figure out. The timeline circles back on a whim, constantly re-contextualizing previous events and introducing and reintroducing characters and plot...
- 11/26/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Sung Kang is swapping the Fast & Furious franchise for a doc series on car cultures around the world.
The actor is co-producing and starring in The Ride Life with Sung Kang, a multi-country car culture show that’s set to hit Mipcom Cannes next week.
Kang’s Raison D’Etre Stories is making the show with Singapore-based Beach House Pictures, Bros Studios and Insight TV, the international action and adventure network.
Kang will be in Cannes next week promoting the six-part show, at a presentation held Tuesday, October 17 at 4pm at the Infocomm Media Development Authority (Imda)’s ‘Singapore Hour,’ which will showcase new productions with ties to Singaporean companies.
The series went ahead after SAG-AFTRA gave him permission to participate in the unscripted project and after he’d gotten full signatory clearance to film. “I’m in support and respectful of the SAG-AFTRA strike and grateful for...
The actor is co-producing and starring in The Ride Life with Sung Kang, a multi-country car culture show that’s set to hit Mipcom Cannes next week.
Kang’s Raison D’Etre Stories is making the show with Singapore-based Beach House Pictures, Bros Studios and Insight TV, the international action and adventure network.
Kang will be in Cannes next week promoting the six-part show, at a presentation held Tuesday, October 17 at 4pm at the Infocomm Media Development Authority (Imda)’s ‘Singapore Hour,’ which will showcase new productions with ties to Singaporean companies.
The series went ahead after SAG-AFTRA gave him permission to participate in the unscripted project and after he’d gotten full signatory clearance to film. “I’m in support and respectful of the SAG-AFTRA strike and grateful for...
- 10/16/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
This article contains spoilers for “Shortcomings.”
Randall Park says he never thought of himself as a leader before he directed his debut feature film, “Shortcomings,” out Friday via Sony Pictures Classics.
“I’ve been in numerous situations where I’ve been in a leadership position throughout my life, and I’ve always enjoyed it,” he says, “but I never saw myself as one. I always just saw myself as doing my own thing.”
Park, best known for his work as an actor on “Fresh Off the Boat,” “The Interview,” “WandaVision” and “Always Be My Maybe,” first picked up Adrian Tomine’s graphic novel “Shortcomings” 16 years ago. The story, which follows Berkeley-based cinephile Ben Tanaka as he navigates souring relationships with his girlfriend, Miko, and best friend, Alice, resonated with Park, because it seemed to address and reflect real-life conversations and issues head-on. Ben doesn’t shy away from expressing his...
Randall Park says he never thought of himself as a leader before he directed his debut feature film, “Shortcomings,” out Friday via Sony Pictures Classics.
“I’ve been in numerous situations where I’ve been in a leadership position throughout my life, and I’ve always enjoyed it,” he says, “but I never saw myself as one. I always just saw myself as doing my own thing.”
Park, best known for his work as an actor on “Fresh Off the Boat,” “The Interview,” “WandaVision” and “Always Be My Maybe,” first picked up Adrian Tomine’s graphic novel “Shortcomings” 16 years ago. The story, which follows Berkeley-based cinephile Ben Tanaka as he navigates souring relationships with his girlfriend, Miko, and best friend, Alice, resonated with Park, because it seemed to address and reflect real-life conversations and issues head-on. Ben doesn’t shy away from expressing his...
- 8/5/2023
- by Rachel Seo
- Variety Film + TV
This episode of Revisited was Written by Cody Hamman, Narrated by Travis Hopson, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by Adam Walton and Chris Bumbray, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
After two sequels apart, the Fast and Furious family is reunited in the fourth film. Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, the gang’s all here. And yes, they’re racing cars once again… but this time the stakes are life or death. We’re going back to 2009 to talk about Fast & Furious (watch it Here) for this episode of Revisited.
Universal tried something different with the third film in the Fast and Furious franchise. Rather than make it a direct follow-up to the previous films, they brought in new characters. Teenagers they thought would be more appealing to the youth market. They got a decent movie out of it, but not a lot of pay-off. Tokyo...
After two sequels apart, the Fast and Furious family is reunited in the fourth film. Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, the gang’s all here. And yes, they’re racing cars once again… but this time the stakes are life or death. We’re going back to 2009 to talk about Fast & Furious (watch it Here) for this episode of Revisited.
Universal tried something different with the third film in the Fast and Furious franchise. Rather than make it a direct follow-up to the previous films, they brought in new characters. Teenagers they thought would be more appealing to the youth market. They got a decent movie out of it, but not a lot of pay-off. Tokyo...
- 7/5/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
This episode of Revisited was Written by Cody Hamman, Narrated by Travis Hopson, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by Adam Walton and Chris Bumbray, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
Intro: Universal had a hit franchise on their hands with The Fast and the Furious. They just weren’t quite sure what to do with it. That uncertainty is how we get the third film in the franchise. The one that jettisoned almost all connection to the previous two in favor of introducing new characters. Telling a story about an outsider who finds new friends – and love – in the world of racing. It’s The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (watch it Here), and it’s about to be Revisited.
Set-up: Starring Paul Walker as undercover LAPD cop Brian O’Conner and Vin Diesel as criminal street racer Dominic Toretto, The Fast and the Furious earned more than two hundred...
Intro: Universal had a hit franchise on their hands with The Fast and the Furious. They just weren’t quite sure what to do with it. That uncertainty is how we get the third film in the franchise. The one that jettisoned almost all connection to the previous two in favor of introducing new characters. Telling a story about an outsider who finds new friends – and love – in the world of racing. It’s The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (watch it Here), and it’s about to be Revisited.
Set-up: Starring Paul Walker as undercover LAPD cop Brian O’Conner and Vin Diesel as criminal street racer Dominic Toretto, The Fast and the Furious earned more than two hundred...
- 6/6/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Season 2 will beam down to Paramount+ on June 15. The series is a throwback to the style of the original show in which the crew of the USS Enterprise explores the universe in the decade before the original series takes place. “Strange New Worlds” features a number of characters from Trek lore, including Spoke, Number One, Nyota Uhura, Christopher Pike, and more.
Check out the “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” trailer:
The streamer’s original “FBI True” returns for a third season on June 20. The docuseries gives agents an opportunity to share their most compelling cases and introduce viewers to how this key agency operates.
Watch the “FBI True” trailer:
To open the month, Season 3 of the “iCarly” reboot arrives on June 1. Carly Shay (played by Miranda Cosgrove) and Freddie Benson (Nathan Kress) are deciding if they are friends or something more. Also, Spencer (Jerry Trainor...
Check out the “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” trailer:
The streamer’s original “FBI True” returns for a third season on June 20. The docuseries gives agents an opportunity to share their most compelling cases and introduce viewers to how this key agency operates.
Watch the “FBI True” trailer:
To open the month, Season 3 of the “iCarly” reboot arrives on June 1. Carly Shay (played by Miranda Cosgrove) and Freddie Benson (Nathan Kress) are deciding if they are friends or something more. Also, Spencer (Jerry Trainor...
- 5/26/2023
- by Fern Siegel
- The Streamable
This piece contains spoilers for “Fast X.”
For fans of the “Fast & Furious” movies, the phrase “Justice for Han” has been a rallying cry since 2017’s “The Fate of the Furious.” That’s when “Furious 7” villain Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) – the man who killed Han Leu (Sung Kang) in the franchise’s convoluted mythology – became an unofficial part of the core family, a decision that seemed wildly out of step with the ethos of Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew.
Shaw later took a lead role in the “Fast and Furious” spinoff film “Hobbs & Shaw,” which was written by Chris Morgan, the man who wrote every “Fast” film from “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” through “Hobbs & Shaw.”
“I love ‘justice for Han,’” Morgan said in 2019 to Entertainment Weekly. “Sung Kang is a great friend, and Han is a character that I adore. I...
For fans of the “Fast & Furious” movies, the phrase “Justice for Han” has been a rallying cry since 2017’s “The Fate of the Furious.” That’s when “Furious 7” villain Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) – the man who killed Han Leu (Sung Kang) in the franchise’s convoluted mythology – became an unofficial part of the core family, a decision that seemed wildly out of step with the ethos of Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew.
Shaw later took a lead role in the “Fast and Furious” spinoff film “Hobbs & Shaw,” which was written by Chris Morgan, the man who wrote every “Fast” film from “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” through “Hobbs & Shaw.”
“I love ‘justice for Han,’” Morgan said in 2019 to Entertainment Weekly. “Sung Kang is a great friend, and Han is a character that I adore. I...
- 5/21/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
"There's no place like home." "May the Force be with you." "The stuff dreams are made of." The greatest lines of dialogue in motion picture history often have one thing in common, and that's no matter what year they came out, no matter what their story is about, when you hear that line you think of that movie.
Anyone can say something smart or funny -- it's the context that makes a great line memorable. When we believe in the characters and we're immersed in that world, we pay attention to what they're saying and we remember when they say something great. The last line in Billy Wilder's "Sunset Blvd" resonates because "Alright Mr. Demille, I'm ready for my close-up" is creepy and weird after everything we've just been through. If you overheard someone say the exact same thing on the street it would have no power.
I bring...
Anyone can say something smart or funny -- it's the context that makes a great line memorable. When we believe in the characters and we're immersed in that world, we pay attention to what they're saying and we remember when they say something great. The last line in Billy Wilder's "Sunset Blvd" resonates because "Alright Mr. Demille, I'm ready for my close-up" is creepy and weird after everything we've just been through. If you overheard someone say the exact same thing on the street it would have no power.
I bring...
- 5/20/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
The "Fast & Furious" franchise has taken quite the ride, growing from a modest "Point Break" riff to globe-trotting espionage, borderline superhero movies (with cars). Along the way, it left the laws of physics in the dust. There are currently 11 "Fast & Furious," the 10 mainline films plus the spin-off "Hobbs & Shaw" — or are there?
Director Justin Lin (who directed five of these eleven films) made himself a household name with 2002's "Better Luck Tomorrow." The film centers on four Asian-American high school students in Orange County, California: overachieving Ben (Parry Shen), his nerdy best friend Virgil (Jason Tobin), Virgil's cool cousin Han (Sung Kang), and valedictorian Daric (Roger Fan). Afflicted with ennui, the four begin committing petty crimes, which escalate to robbery and then murder — the victim is Steve (John Cho), boyfriend of Ben's crush Stephanie (Karin Anna Cheung).
The film was inspired by Lin's work as a youth...
Director Justin Lin (who directed five of these eleven films) made himself a household name with 2002's "Better Luck Tomorrow." The film centers on four Asian-American high school students in Orange County, California: overachieving Ben (Parry Shen), his nerdy best friend Virgil (Jason Tobin), Virgil's cool cousin Han (Sung Kang), and valedictorian Daric (Roger Fan). Afflicted with ennui, the four begin committing petty crimes, which escalate to robbery and then murder — the victim is Steve (John Cho), boyfriend of Ben's crush Stephanie (Karin Anna Cheung).
The film was inspired by Lin's work as a youth...
- 5/18/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
If you have only a passing familiarity with the "Fast and Furious" universe, you might be under the impression that the franchise's timeline is pretty straightforward. You'd be wrong. When the first film in the series came roaring onto our screens back in 2001, the plot was straightforward: A street racer, his girlfriend, and his sister make friends with the new kid on the block, only to find out he's an undercover cop. Shakespearean drama and betrayals of the highest order ensue, along with a whole lot of car chases.
As the franchise expanded and introduced more characters, however, things got more complicated. Over the next 20 years, the series' continuity expanded to include short films, an unofficial prequel, characters who were killed off and resurrected, and a totally retconned timeline. From the third film on — which is, of course, not the third movie chronologically — it all becomes fairly difficult to follow.
As the franchise expanded and introduced more characters, however, things got more complicated. Over the next 20 years, the series' continuity expanded to include short films, an unofficial prequel, characters who were killed off and resurrected, and a totally retconned timeline. From the third film on — which is, of course, not the third movie chronologically — it all becomes fairly difficult to follow.
- 5/17/2023
- by Kira Deshler
- Slash Film
Perhaps the biggest mistake the “Fast and Furious” franchise ever made was in “F9: The Fast Saga,” when the characters suddenly became self-aware and realized that after all the physics-defying vehicular mayhem they’ve been through, they always miraculously emerge unscathed.
How could they have defied the odds for so long? Are they truly immortal or are they merely blessed with impenetrable plot armor? And if any of those things are true why should the audience care one whit about what happens to them? Especially when even the characters who do die usually come back after a sequel or two.
“F9” made a convincing case for letting this whole “Fast and Furious” series finally end. But just when you thought it was okay to check out, “Fast X” pulls you back in. Louis Leterrier’s installment does an impressive job of making all the old nonsense make a little bit of sense again.
How could they have defied the odds for so long? Are they truly immortal or are they merely blessed with impenetrable plot armor? And if any of those things are true why should the audience care one whit about what happens to them? Especially when even the characters who do die usually come back after a sequel or two.
“F9” made a convincing case for letting this whole “Fast and Furious” series finally end. But just when you thought it was okay to check out, “Fast X” pulls you back in. Louis Leterrier’s installment does an impressive job of making all the old nonsense make a little bit of sense again.
- 5/17/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
The evolution of the "Fast & Furious" film series hasn't been so much an act of growth as it has been a mutation. Rob Cohen's 2001 original, "The Fast and the Furious," was little more than a low-expectation, mid-budget summer action flick that was expected to come and go in the public consciousness quite quickly. It was also very clearly cribbing its plot directly from Kathryn Bigelow's decade-old film "Point Break." Cohen merely transposed the 1991 film's setting from the world of criminal surfers to the world of criminal street racers. Vin Diesel is Patrick Swayze and Paul Walker is Keanu Reeves.
But the film ended up a major hit, grossing over $200 million worldwide, and inspiring a sequel with the amusing title of John Singleton's 2003 chapter "2 Fast 2 Furious." Because Diesel didn't return, Walker's character was teamed up with a rival played by Tyrese Gibson. Perhaps unwittingly, an ensemble began to grow.
But the film ended up a major hit, grossing over $200 million worldwide, and inspiring a sequel with the amusing title of John Singleton's 2003 chapter "2 Fast 2 Furious." Because Diesel didn't return, Walker's character was teamed up with a rival played by Tyrese Gibson. Perhaps unwittingly, an ensemble began to grow.
- 5/16/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Justin Lin may be the foremost director of the "Fast and Furious" franchise, but he's taking a break from the Hollywood big leagues for his next film: an indie movie about the misguided missionary John Allen Chau. Before helming half of the entries in one of the most successful blockbuster series in modern times, Lin directed indie movies that centered on the Asian-American communities of Southern California, including the quirky comedy "Shopping for Fangs" and the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-nominated "Better Luck Tomorrow."
Lin directed "Shopping for Fangs" with Quentin Lee when they were both students in UCLA's film school in 1997. The film marks the acting debut of John Cho, who would go on to work with Lin on his follow-up feature, "Better Luck Tomorrow," as well as years later on "Star Trek Beyond." "Better Luck Tomorrow," a drama about an aimless group of Asian-Americans who throw their successes...
Lin directed "Shopping for Fangs" with Quentin Lee when they were both students in UCLA's film school in 1997. The film marks the acting debut of John Cho, who would go on to work with Lin on his follow-up feature, "Better Luck Tomorrow," as well as years later on "Star Trek Beyond." "Better Luck Tomorrow," a drama about an aimless group of Asian-Americans who throw their successes...
- 3/27/2023
- by Andrew Housman
- Slash Film
"Everything Everywhere All at Once" cleaned up at the 95th annual Academy Awards, taking home seven Oscars including the trophies for Best Picture and Best Director for Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. So, what are Daniels (as the duo is collectively known) doing next? Why making a Star War, of course!
It's a common refrain in modern Hollywood: a promising director (or directing duo) scores a hit, then immediately gets snatched up by a studio to oversee one of their franchises. Hence, it's understandable people weren't exactly thrilled to learn Daniels are working on "Skeleton Crew," an upcoming live-action "Star Wars" streaming series that takes place concurrently with "The Mandalorian" and its spinoffs. Is this the minds who gave us Daniel Radcliffe: Farting Corpse and a universe where everyone has hotdog fingers leaving their days of being legitimately weird and innovative behind them? In a subsequent Instagram story post...
It's a common refrain in modern Hollywood: a promising director (or directing duo) scores a hit, then immediately gets snatched up by a studio to oversee one of their franchises. Hence, it's understandable people weren't exactly thrilled to learn Daniels are working on "Skeleton Crew," an upcoming live-action "Star Wars" streaming series that takes place concurrently with "The Mandalorian" and its spinoffs. Is this the minds who gave us Daniel Radcliffe: Farting Corpse and a universe where everyone has hotdog fingers leaving their days of being legitimately weird and innovative behind them? In a subsequent Instagram story post...
- 3/21/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Justin Lin will be returning to his indie roots as Deadline has reported that the director’s next movie will be The Last Days of John Allen Chau.
Based on the Outside Magazine article of the same name by Alex Perry, The Last Days of John Allen Chau will tell the true story of an American evangelical Christian missionary who believes that he’s been chosen to save the souls of an uncontacted tribe on North Sentinel Island. As outsiders are forbidden, Chau “embarks on a harrowing journey to proselytize the Sentinelese in his desperate search for identity, purpose and belonging.” The script is being penned by Ben Ripley, with production expected to begin this spring.
Related Seven Wonders: Simu Liu to star in the Justin Lin-directed series adaptation of Ben Mezrich’s novel
Justin Lin got his start with smaller films such as Shopping for Fangs and Better Luck Tomorrow,...
Based on the Outside Magazine article of the same name by Alex Perry, The Last Days of John Allen Chau will tell the true story of an American evangelical Christian missionary who believes that he’s been chosen to save the souls of an uncontacted tribe on North Sentinel Island. As outsiders are forbidden, Chau “embarks on a harrowing journey to proselytize the Sentinelese in his desperate search for identity, purpose and belonging.” The script is being penned by Ben Ripley, with production expected to begin this spring.
Related Seven Wonders: Simu Liu to star in the Justin Lin-directed series adaptation of Ben Mezrich’s novel
Justin Lin got his start with smaller films such as Shopping for Fangs and Better Luck Tomorrow,...
- 2/28/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
After spending 15-plus years as the brain behind the “Fast and the Furious” franchise, Justin Lin has lined up his first post-car racing film. The filmmaker, who left “Fast X” over creative differences last year, is set to direct “The Last Days of John Allen Chau,” IndieWire has confirmed.
The film, an indie based on the 2019 Outside Magazine article by Alex Perry, will represent something of a return to Lin’s roots. The director first rose to prominence with several independent films like “Shopping for Fangs,” 2002 Sundance title “Better Luck Tomorrow,” and 2007’s “Finishing the Game.” Since 2006, however, Lin has become best known for his work on the blockbuster “Fast and the Furious” movies, directing “Tokyo Drift” and the following four titles in the series. After handing the franchise off to James Wan and F. Gary Gray after “Fast and Furious 6,” he returned to the director’s chair for 2021’s “F9,...
The film, an indie based on the 2019 Outside Magazine article by Alex Perry, will represent something of a return to Lin’s roots. The director first rose to prominence with several independent films like “Shopping for Fangs,” 2002 Sundance title “Better Luck Tomorrow,” and 2007’s “Finishing the Game.” Since 2006, however, Lin has become best known for his work on the blockbuster “Fast and the Furious” movies, directing “Tokyo Drift” and the following four titles in the series. After handing the franchise off to James Wan and F. Gary Gray after “Fast and Furious 6,” he returned to the director’s chair for 2021’s “F9,...
- 2/28/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Exclusive: After spending the past decade plus-directing some of the biggest tentpoles in town, Justin Lin is returning to his indie roots. Sources tell Deadline he is set to direct The Last Days of John Allen Chau as his next film. Ben Ripley is penning the script, with filming to begin this spring across the globe.
Lin has spent the past 15 years helping turn the Fast & Furious series into one of the biggest franchises in the industry while also stepping in to direct the tentpole Star Trek Beyond in that period as well. Even as he rose in the ranks of A-list directors, he would let it be known to be people in his inner circle that he always wanted to get back to his indie roots, and once the project landed financing the opportunity to direct the film was too hard to pass up.
That said, he is...
Lin has spent the past 15 years helping turn the Fast & Furious series into one of the biggest franchises in the industry while also stepping in to direct the tentpole Star Trek Beyond in that period as well. Even as he rose in the ranks of A-list directors, he would let it be known to be people in his inner circle that he always wanted to get back to his indie roots, and once the project landed financing the opportunity to direct the film was too hard to pass up.
That said, he is...
- 2/28/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Sherry Cola, Randall Park, Justin H. Min, and Ally Maki visit the IMDb Portrait Studio at Acura Festival Village at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 22. Image Source: Getty Images for IMDb / Corey Nickols
This past weekend was supposed to be full of joyful festivities for those celebrating the Lunar New Year. Instead, a shooting in Monterey Park, CA - which left 10 people dead and injured 10 more - has piled tragedy and trauma onto a community already reeling from a rise in anti-Asian violence in recent years.
Related: Celebrities and Politicians React to the Monterey Park Mass Shooting
On Sunday, after news of the shooting had broken, a group of actors and directors gathered in Park City, Ut, at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. They were there to talk about "Shortcomings," a comedy-drama directed by Randall Park. But the mood had shifted in light of the mass shooting. At the start of the panel,...
This past weekend was supposed to be full of joyful festivities for those celebrating the Lunar New Year. Instead, a shooting in Monterey Park, CA - which left 10 people dead and injured 10 more - has piled tragedy and trauma onto a community already reeling from a rise in anti-Asian violence in recent years.
Related: Celebrities and Politicians React to the Monterey Park Mass Shooting
On Sunday, after news of the shooting had broken, a group of actors and directors gathered in Park City, Ut, at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. They were there to talk about "Shortcomings," a comedy-drama directed by Randall Park. But the mood had shifted in light of the mass shooting. At the start of the panel,...
- 1/23/2023
- by Pooja Shah
- Popsugar.com
In “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” Francie Nolan sat on her fire escape, ate peppermint wafers, spied on her neighbors, and read books. In Aurora, I sat on my roof, ate pretzels, spied on my neighbors, and read “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” I felt seen by Francie Nolan and it surprised me when people were surprised by the fact that I related to her. At a certain point, I understood that people assumed I’d have more in common with the slum kids in “City of Joy” than Francie. No matter what came out of my mouth, my skin had already spoken for me.
I grew up with films, books, art and music from all over the world and felt kinship with so many people who didn’t necessarily share my heritage. But I became a filmmaker because I wanted to be a part of the movement I saw...
I grew up with films, books, art and music from all over the world and felt kinship with so many people who didn’t necessarily share my heritage. But I became a filmmaker because I wanted to be a part of the movement I saw...
- 5/30/2022
- by Geeta Malik
- Variety Film + TV
On the May 24, 2022 episode of /Film Daily, /Film editor Ben Pearson is joined by editor Hoai-Tran Bui to gather around the virtual water cooler and talk about what they've been up to.
Opening Banter:
At The Water Cooler:
What we've been Doing:
Ben took a quick beach trip to Destin.
It's wedding season for Ht! Also she talked to the Filmcast about some Men.
What we've been Reading:
Ben read Joan Didion's "The White Album," and James Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son."
What we've been Watching:
Ben and Ht have been watching the new season of Stranger Things (which they...
The post Daily Podcast: Mini-Water Cooler: Rrr, Chip 'n Dale, Better Luck Tomorrow, and More appeared first on /Film.
Opening Banter:
At The Water Cooler:
What we've been Doing:
Ben took a quick beach trip to Destin.
It's wedding season for Ht! Also she talked to the Filmcast about some Men.
What we've been Reading:
Ben read Joan Didion's "The White Album," and James Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son."
What we've been Watching:
Ben and Ht have been watching the new season of Stranger Things (which they...
The post Daily Podcast: Mini-Water Cooler: Rrr, Chip 'n Dale, Better Luck Tomorrow, and More appeared first on /Film.
- 5/24/2022
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
In 2002, "Fast & Furious" filmmaker Justin Lin made his Sundance debut with the bombastic "Better Luck Tomorrow." The film takes loose inspiration from the Southern California-set "Honor Roll Murder" of the early '90s, following the exploits of an Asian-American gang who juggle their life of crime with debate team practice and Sat prep.
"Better Luck Tomorrow" was a rare beast by early 2000s standards. Its blunt depiction of urban gangsta mentality created a watershed moment for Asian-American representation in film, but it also made cast and crew an easy target for less-enlightened critics. One Sundance screening famously ended with a white audience member condemning the film for its "empty...
The post Better Luck Tomorrow Aimed Beyond 'Positive' Asian-American Portrayals appeared first on /Film.
"Better Luck Tomorrow" was a rare beast by early 2000s standards. Its blunt depiction of urban gangsta mentality created a watershed moment for Asian-American representation in film, but it also made cast and crew an easy target for less-enlightened critics. One Sundance screening famously ended with a white audience member condemning the film for its "empty...
The post Better Luck Tomorrow Aimed Beyond 'Positive' Asian-American Portrayals appeared first on /Film.
- 5/17/2022
- by Lyvie Scott
- Slash Film
"Federova's plan is bigger than the banks." NBC has unveiled an official trailer for The Endgame, a new heist thriller series from creators Jake Coburn and Nicholas Wootton. We're breaking our usual no-tv rules to feature this because so many series are being made for streaming these days, and because this is directed by a major movie director - Justin Lin, of Better Luck Tomorrow, Tokyo Drift, Star Trek Beyond, and F9: The Fast Saga most recently. Endgame is high-stakes thriller about Elena Federova, a very recently captured international arms dealer and brilliant criminal mastermind who even in captivity orchestrates a number of coordinated bank heists, and Val Turner, the principled, relentless and socially outcast FBI agent who will stop at nothing to foil her ambitious plan. Morena Baccarin and Ryan Michelle Bathé star as Elena & Val, with Costa Ronin, Kelly AuCoin, Noah Bean, Jordan Johnson-Hinds, Kamal Angelo Bolden, and Mark D. Espinoza.
- 1/25/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
This article contains F9 spoilers.
One thing is for certain about the Fast and Furious film franchise—it has been a wild ride. Other aspects of the Fast Saga are less certain. Although the F9 title definitively labels the latest film as the ninth installment, it’s actually the 10th film. Or the 11th. You could even say the 12th if you include the short film. It depends how you want to count it. For a franchise laden with car chase clichés, the Fast Saga makes a lot of long, winding detours.
Consider how these movies treat death. Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) set the precedent by ‘dying’ back in Fast & Furious (aka Fast & Furious 4) only to return in Fast & Furious 6, working for the other side. Coincidentally, at the end of that film, there was a major reveal about Han (Sung Kang). The character was introduced in...
One thing is for certain about the Fast and Furious film franchise—it has been a wild ride. Other aspects of the Fast Saga are less certain. Although the F9 title definitively labels the latest film as the ninth installment, it’s actually the 10th film. Or the 11th. You could even say the 12th if you include the short film. It depends how you want to count it. For a franchise laden with car chase clichés, the Fast Saga makes a lot of long, winding detours.
Consider how these movies treat death. Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) set the precedent by ‘dying’ back in Fast & Furious (aka Fast & Furious 4) only to return in Fast & Furious 6, working for the other side. Coincidentally, at the end of that film, there was a major reveal about Han (Sung Kang). The character was introduced in...
- 6/27/2021
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
When the first trailer for ‘F9’ debuted in 2019, there was a collective gasp/squeal/scream among the “Fast” family when Sung Kang’s Han Lue made a surprise appearance at the clip’s end, with snack bag in hand.
Fans have been in a state of perpetual mourning since the ultra-cool (and always-hungry) character died midway through “The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.” Of course, Han was then resurrected before, starring in the fourth, fifth and sixth installments of the franchise thanks to the reorganized timeline.
But audiences were in for a second round of devastation when, at the end of “Fast & Furious 6,” they learned that Han’s death was not a random accident, but instead orchestrated by Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) in a revenge plot against Dom’s crew.
So how is Han back for “F9”? And what does that mean for the future of the franchise?...
Fans have been in a state of perpetual mourning since the ultra-cool (and always-hungry) character died midway through “The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.” Of course, Han was then resurrected before, starring in the fourth, fifth and sixth installments of the franchise thanks to the reorganized timeline.
But audiences were in for a second round of devastation when, at the end of “Fast & Furious 6,” they learned that Han’s death was not a random accident, but instead orchestrated by Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) in a revenge plot against Dom’s crew.
So how is Han back for “F9”? And what does that mean for the future of the franchise?...
- 6/26/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
This article contains F9 spoilers.
So quick question: How many folks in your theater stayed for the end credits of F9, the 10th film in the Fast and Furious saga? I know I can say everyone did in mine. That’s because with summer blockbusters back, we’ve all remembered our training to be good little Pavlovian dogs and stay for a treat after the film fades to black. And F9 just gave a juicy one too.
In a nondescript gym/vaguely insidious lair, Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw beats a full-sized punching bag until his knuckles probably bleed. Only then do we realize he’s keeping some poor bastard wrapped up inside of the target. Full disclosure: I wasn’t sure if that was Otto—the sniveling silver spooned traitor who was working with John Cena’s Jakob in F9. He was honestly too smeared in blood to know for sure,...
So quick question: How many folks in your theater stayed for the end credits of F9, the 10th film in the Fast and Furious saga? I know I can say everyone did in mine. That’s because with summer blockbusters back, we’ve all remembered our training to be good little Pavlovian dogs and stay for a treat after the film fades to black. And F9 just gave a juicy one too.
In a nondescript gym/vaguely insidious lair, Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw beats a full-sized punching bag until his knuckles probably bleed. Only then do we realize he’s keeping some poor bastard wrapped up inside of the target. Full disclosure: I wasn’t sure if that was Otto—the sniveling silver spooned traitor who was working with John Cena’s Jakob in F9. He was honestly too smeared in blood to know for sure,...
- 6/26/2021
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Taiwanese-born American filmmaker Justin Lin has directed five of the nine films in The Fast Saga already, including its lowest of lows (2009's Fast & Furious) and its highest of highs (2011's Fast Five). With Fast 9, known as just F9 or Fast & Furious 9, the auteur of automotive action returns to the franchise for the first time since 2013's Fast & Furious 6 for what is, arguably, the most ridiculous entry in a series that routinely pushes the limits of logic, physics, and heavy-handed family melodrama. Co-written by Lin and franchise newcomer Daniel Casey, F9 begins in 1989, with professional stock car driver Jack Toretto (J.D. Pardo) burnin' up the track at a speedway, his sons Dominic (Vinnie Bennett) and Jakob (Finn Cole) in his crew. During the race, a rival (Jim Parrack) smashes into Jack's bumper, causing the stock car to hit ...
- 6/25/2021
- by Adam Frazier
- firstshowing.net
When Sung Kang stopped by Deadline’s New Hollywood Podcast, we learned a lot about his return to the Fast and Furious franchise with F9, which Universal will release in theaters June 25. He also shared a lot about his time in Hollywood.
First thing’s first, he introduced us to his dog, Daeji who is a star all by himself. From there, Kang talked about his early days in film and TV which included an “embellished” management firm as well as his role in the 2002 groundbreaking Sundance pic Better Luck Tomorrow directed by Justin Lin. The ahead-of-its-time drama was bolstering Asian representation in film before Hollywood realized diverse storytelling was something people wanted. And let’s not forget — Better Luck Tomorrow is unofficially part of the Fast & Furious universe. To many, it’s considered a prequel to the first Fast & Furious movie which debuted in 2001.
Fast-forward to 2021, Kang...
First thing’s first, he introduced us to his dog, Daeji who is a star all by himself. From there, Kang talked about his early days in film and TV which included an “embellished” management firm as well as his role in the 2002 groundbreaking Sundance pic Better Luck Tomorrow directed by Justin Lin. The ahead-of-its-time drama was bolstering Asian representation in film before Hollywood realized diverse storytelling was something people wanted. And let’s not forget — Better Luck Tomorrow is unofficially part of the Fast & Furious universe. To many, it’s considered a prequel to the first Fast & Furious movie which debuted in 2001.
Fast-forward to 2021, Kang...
- 6/22/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos and Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
“Fast & Furious” director Justin Lin will executive produce and direct the untitled project co-created by Nick Wootton and Jake Coburn from Universal TV.
Per the logline, the pilot (which Wootton wrote) is a pulse-pounding, high-stakes two-hander about Elena Federova, a recently captured international arms dealer and brilliant criminal mastermind who orchestrates a number of coordinated bank heists throughout New York City for a mysterious purpose, and Val Fitzgerald, the principled, relentless and socially outcast FBI agent who will stop at nothing to foil her ambitious plan. The female-led drama was ordered in April for NBC’s 2021-2022 broadcast season, along with “Getaway” from writers and executive producers JJ Bailey and Moira Kirland.
Julie Plec and Emily Cummins are also executive producing under their My So-Called Company banner. Universal Television will produce, with My So-Called Company under an overall deal at the studio. Lin will be executive producing under his banner,...
Per the logline, the pilot (which Wootton wrote) is a pulse-pounding, high-stakes two-hander about Elena Federova, a recently captured international arms dealer and brilliant criminal mastermind who orchestrates a number of coordinated bank heists throughout New York City for a mysterious purpose, and Val Fitzgerald, the principled, relentless and socially outcast FBI agent who will stop at nothing to foil her ambitious plan. The female-led drama was ordered in April for NBC’s 2021-2022 broadcast season, along with “Getaway” from writers and executive producers JJ Bailey and Moira Kirland.
Julie Plec and Emily Cummins are also executive producing under their My So-Called Company banner. Universal Television will produce, with My So-Called Company under an overall deal at the studio. Lin will be executive producing under his banner,...
- 6/10/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
With his feature directorial debut, “Boogie,” Eddie Huang wanted to challenge his audience.
“It was always white people in school that were like, ‘Oh, I love “Catcher in the Rye,” I love Holden Caulfield,’” says Huang. “And I’m like, well, let me present you with a quite unlikable Asian character and see if you love him in the same way.”
“Boogie” is the coming-of-age story of Alfred “Boogie” Chin (Taylor Takahashi), a teenage basketball phenom in Queens, New York, with ambitions to make it to the NBA. He struggles with on-court rivals, his identity as a Chinese American and the pressure from his parents to earn a full-ride scholarship to an elite university, all the while navigating his first experience with love. The film was released via Focus Features in March.
“All of us kind of suck as teens,” Huang says. “None of us are really that good at being people yet.
“It was always white people in school that were like, ‘Oh, I love “Catcher in the Rye,” I love Holden Caulfield,’” says Huang. “And I’m like, well, let me present you with a quite unlikable Asian character and see if you love him in the same way.”
“Boogie” is the coming-of-age story of Alfred “Boogie” Chin (Taylor Takahashi), a teenage basketball phenom in Queens, New York, with ambitions to make it to the NBA. He struggles with on-court rivals, his identity as a Chinese American and the pressure from his parents to earn a full-ride scholarship to an elite university, all the while navigating his first experience with love. The film was released via Focus Features in March.
“All of us kind of suck as teens,” Huang says. “None of us are really that good at being people yet.
- 5/25/2021
- by Haley Bosselman
- Variety Film + TV
Asian-American cinematic milestones tend to challenge the model-minority myth. The over-achievers in Better Luck Tomorrow turn to crime, Harold and Kumar seek stoner munchies and the gay young protagonist at the center of Spa Night finds both academic accomplishment and the American Dream hopelessly out of reach. There’s a defensiveness inherent to those films, which seem to assert, “We’re not all dutiful, high-achieving rule-followers.” And to be fair, doing hours of math problems or complying with parental whims isn’t exactly movie material.
Or maybe we’re wrong. As director Debbie Lum (Seeking Asian Female) illustrates with her new film Try Harder!, which competes in ...
Or maybe we’re wrong. As director Debbie Lum (Seeking Asian Female) illustrates with her new film Try Harder!, which competes in ...
- 1/30/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Asian-American cinematic milestones tend to challenge the model-minority myth. The over-achievers in Better Luck Tomorrow turn to crime, Harold and Kumar seek stoner munchies and the gay young protagonist at the center of Spa Night finds both academic accomplishment and the American Dream hopelessly out of reach. There’s a defensiveness inherent to those films, which seem to assert, “We’re not all dutiful, high-achieving rule-followers.” And to be fair, doing hours of math problems or complying with parental whims isn’t exactly movie material.
Or maybe we’re wrong. As director Debbie Lum (Seeking Asian Female) illustrates with her new film Try Harder!, which competes in ...
Or maybe we’re wrong. As director Debbie Lum (Seeking Asian Female) illustrates with her new film Try Harder!, which competes in ...
- 1/30/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Wu Assassins and Little Fires Everywhere actor Byron Mann is set to star alongside award-winning Polish actress Dominika Kachlik, K-pop star and actor Nichkhun and legendary Hong Kong actor Kenneth Tsang are set to star in Hong Kong Love Story.
Filmmaker Keoni Waxman will direct the romantic comedy based on a spec written by Mann. This marks a reunion between the pair who previously worked together on The Ravine.
Based on real events, Hong Kong Love Story follows Mann and Nichkhun as scions of tycoon families as they stumble their way around Hong Kong to find love. Their friendship gets tested when a Polish model played by Kachlik comes into their lives.
In addition to Little Fires Everywhere and Wu Assassins, Mann’s TV credits also include The Expanse, Arrow and Altered Carbon. On the feature side, he has appeared in Skyscraper and The Big Short. He recently wrapped...
Filmmaker Keoni Waxman will direct the romantic comedy based on a spec written by Mann. This marks a reunion between the pair who previously worked together on The Ravine.
Based on real events, Hong Kong Love Story follows Mann and Nichkhun as scions of tycoon families as they stumble their way around Hong Kong to find love. Their friendship gets tested when a Polish model played by Kachlik comes into their lives.
In addition to Little Fires Everywhere and Wu Assassins, Mann’s TV credits also include The Expanse, Arrow and Altered Carbon. On the feature side, he has appeared in Skyscraper and The Big Short. He recently wrapped...
- 10/29/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
This Warrior review contains spoilers.
Warrior Season 2 Episode 2
When Warrior was first announced, Bruce Lee fans were worried that this was going to be just another Bruceploitation. After all, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Bruceploitation flicks. Bruce Lee is the most impersonated icon on the planet. No one needed to see another weak caricature of the Little Dragon, even if it was on Cinemax.
However, Warrior isn’t Bruceploitation at all. The creator and writer of the show, Jonathan Tropper, credits Bruce’s daughter, Shannon Lee for making sure that Warrior didn’t go “overboard with the Bruce Lee stuff.”
Instead of Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji) doing yet another Bruce Lee imitation, there are sequences in his fight choreography that reference timeless scenes from the Little Dragon’s films. There are also clever Easter Eggs throughout the show, like the character names O’Hara (Kieran Biew) and last...
Warrior Season 2 Episode 2
When Warrior was first announced, Bruce Lee fans were worried that this was going to be just another Bruceploitation. After all, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Bruceploitation flicks. Bruce Lee is the most impersonated icon on the planet. No one needed to see another weak caricature of the Little Dragon, even if it was on Cinemax.
However, Warrior isn’t Bruceploitation at all. The creator and writer of the show, Jonathan Tropper, credits Bruce’s daughter, Shannon Lee for making sure that Warrior didn’t go “overboard with the Bruce Lee stuff.”
Instead of Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji) doing yet another Bruce Lee imitation, there are sequences in his fight choreography that reference timeless scenes from the Little Dragon’s films. There are also clever Easter Eggs throughout the show, like the character names O’Hara (Kieran Biew) and last...
- 10/10/2020
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
After helping successfully relaunch Universal’s The Fast & Furious franchise for the studio, Justin Lin and his Perfect Storm Entertainment banner are making the studio their official home. Lin has signed a very lucrative multi-year overall production deals for film and TV with Universal Pictures and Universal Studio Group. Lin, whose popular films have grossed more than $2 billion worldwide, has spearheaded innovative projects in both film and TV, and has been a core member of the Fast & Furious franchise, helming five of the nine installments.
“Universal gave me my shot when they offered me the Fast franchise a decade and a half ago. Over the course of these years together, we’ve become a family and I’m thrilled to be coming home. While our relationship started with Fast, we have a lot more stories we want to share with audiences around the world. We love working with the...
“Universal gave me my shot when they offered me the Fast franchise a decade and a half ago. Over the course of these years together, we’ve become a family and I’m thrilled to be coming home. While our relationship started with Fast, we have a lot more stories we want to share with audiences around the world. We love working with the...
- 8/27/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Daniel Dae Kim and Randall Park are going from polar opposite love interests to Ali Wong in Always Be My Maybe to teaming up for the ultimate plan to snatch some loot. The duo is partnering for an untitled Asian American-led heist film that will be penned by screenwriter Young Il Kim, who has worked on Showtime’s Billions wrote the Black List script Rodham. Several studios and streamers were thirsty for the pitch, but after a heated bidding war, Amazon Studios came out on top to acquire it.
The logline is being kept under wraps but what we do know is that it will be loosely focused on a reunion of high school friends who come together in a nod to the classic, fun ensemble heist films.
“I think it has nods to Ocean’s 11, The Full Monty as well as Better Luck Tomorrow,” Kim tells Deadline. The...
The logline is being kept under wraps but what we do know is that it will be loosely focused on a reunion of high school friends who come together in a nod to the classic, fun ensemble heist films.
“I think it has nods to Ocean’s 11, The Full Monty as well as Better Luck Tomorrow,” Kim tells Deadline. The...
- 8/18/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Participant has boarded Abacus, the drama that Justin Lin will direct based on a script by Kenneth Lin and James Schamus. Participant joins as financier, and producer alongside Lin’s Perfect Storm Entertainment. Lin is producing with Ernesto Foronda and Elizabeth Urwin for Perfect Storm. Also producing is Mark Mitten. Exec producing are Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Anikah McLaren, along with Steve James, who helmed the Oscar-nominated 2016 documentary on which the film is based.
Perfect Storm Entertainment acquired the rights to the James-directed docu Abacus: Small Enough to Jail in 2017, after the film had a breakout premiere at the 2016 Toronto Film Festival. James separately directed the docuseries America to Me and City So Real for Participant, so the fit is good here.
Abacus is inspired by the true-story of the Sung family, whose family-run bank was the only U.
Perfect Storm Entertainment acquired the rights to the James-directed docu Abacus: Small Enough to Jail in 2017, after the film had a breakout premiere at the 2016 Toronto Film Festival. James separately directed the docuseries America to Me and City So Real for Participant, so the fit is good here.
Abacus is inspired by the true-story of the Sung family, whose family-run bank was the only U.
- 8/11/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Justice For Han has finally arrived with Fast & Furious 9 when it was revealed the character somehow survived his death in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. However, returning director Justin Lin has stated his confusion over why his apparent murderer Deckard Shaw was welcomed as part of the “family” by Dom at the end of The Fate of the Furious.
Lin helmed the series’ third through sixth installments, and set off the plot of the seventh with the retcon that the collision that ‘killed’ Han was intentionally caused by Shaw in retaliation for the team’s hospitalizing of his brother. He was himself subsequently retconned into a misunderstood character set on a path of crime after being framed, after the series producers realized it’s far more lucrative to have Jason Statham as an antihero rather than a full-on villain. Of the blithe disregard for logical animosity,...
Lin helmed the series’ third through sixth installments, and set off the plot of the seventh with the retcon that the collision that ‘killed’ Han was intentionally caused by Shaw in retaliation for the team’s hospitalizing of his brother. He was himself subsequently retconned into a misunderstood character set on a path of crime after being framed, after the series producers realized it’s far more lucrative to have Jason Statham as an antihero rather than a full-on villain. Of the blithe disregard for logical animosity,...
- 2/7/2020
- by Andrew Marshall
- We Got This Covered
Over the weekend, the first trailer for the upcoming Fast & Furious 9 made an impression on social media that stayed true to the franchise’s bigger-is-better ethos, and while the footage gave the internet plenty of over-the-top moments to process, the part that’s undoubtedly inspired the most discussion is the return of Sung Kang’s Han Lue.
The former series regular made his debut in Justin Lin’s 2002 film Better Luck Tomorrow, before joining the so-called Fast Saga in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Though the 2006 feature saw Han’s supposed demise, the character returned for several more Fast films set before the events of Tokyo Drift. However, once the series timeline caught up with Han’s death in Fast & Furious 6, Dominic Toretto’s old friend was again written out of the saga.
Han’s removal has since inspired the “Justice for Han” campaign on social media,...
The former series regular made his debut in Justin Lin’s 2002 film Better Luck Tomorrow, before joining the so-called Fast Saga in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Though the 2006 feature saw Han’s supposed demise, the character returned for several more Fast films set before the events of Tokyo Drift. However, once the series timeline caught up with Han’s death in Fast & Furious 6, Dominic Toretto’s old friend was again written out of the saga.
Han’s removal has since inspired the “Justice for Han” campaign on social media,...
- 2/1/2020
- by David Pountain
- We Got This Covered
“Lisey’s Story,” the upcoming Apple TV Plus drama from Stephen King and J.J. Abrams, has cast Sung Kang in a recurring role, Variety has learned.
Kang joins previously announced stars Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Joan Allen, and Dane DeHaan. The eight-episode series is based on Stephen King’s 2006 book of the same name. It follows Lisey (Moore) two years after the death of her husband (Owen). The series explores a series of events that causes her to begin facing amazing realities about her husband that she had repressed and forgotten.
Kang will play Officer Dan Beckman, a police officer assigned to watch Lisey’s house. Kang is known for his role as Han in the “Fast & Furious” film franchise, in which he appeared in “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” “Fast & Furious,” “Fast Five,” “Fast & Furious 6,” and the short film “Los Bandoleros.” He has...
Kang joins previously announced stars Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Joan Allen, and Dane DeHaan. The eight-episode series is based on Stephen King’s 2006 book of the same name. It follows Lisey (Moore) two years after the death of her husband (Owen). The series explores a series of events that causes her to begin facing amazing realities about her husband that she had repressed and forgotten.
Kang will play Officer Dan Beckman, a police officer assigned to watch Lisey’s house. Kang is known for his role as Han in the “Fast & Furious” film franchise, in which he appeared in “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” “Fast & Furious,” “Fast Five,” “Fast & Furious 6,” and the short film “Los Bandoleros.” He has...
- 12/6/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Robert Rodriguez is developing a new superhero project for Netflix called We Can Be Heroes and he’s starting to fill up it’s ensemble with actors such as Christian Slater (Mr. Robot), YaYa Gosselin (FBI Most Wanted, The Purge), Akira Akbar (Captain Marvel, This Is Us) and Pedro Pascal.
The story follows “the children of Earth’s superheroes after their parents have been kidnapped by alien invaders. The children must team up and learn to work together if they want to save their parents and the world.”
Yeah, that seems like the kind of film project that Robert Rodriguez would want to make. It’s not the first time he’s dabbled in action films that center around kids like the Spy Kids franchise and The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. He most recently helmed that badass feature film adaptation of Alita: Battle Angel.
The actors mentioned above join...
The story follows “the children of Earth’s superheroes after their parents have been kidnapped by alien invaders. The children must team up and learn to work together if they want to save their parents and the world.”
Yeah, that seems like the kind of film project that Robert Rodriguez would want to make. It’s not the first time he’s dabbled in action films that center around kids like the Spy Kids franchise and The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. He most recently helmed that badass feature film adaptation of Alita: Battle Angel.
The actors mentioned above join...
- 8/22/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Joseph Baxter Aug 22, 2019
Netflix film We Can Be Heroes will see Robert Rodriguez direct an alien invasion epic, which has an intriguing cast.
We Can Be Heroes is yet another Netflix film project for which the streaming giant has tapped a high-profile name, in this case that of action auteur Robert Rodriguez. However, this particular offering will see Rodriguez tap into his more family-friendly side, utilizing a cast of kids; a side that yielded him 2000s-era success with the Spy Kids film franchise.
Rodriguez is set to write, direct and produce We Can Be Heroes for Netflix, a genre film set in the aftermath of an alien invasion, leaving the children of superheroes tasked to rescue their kidnapped parents. However, the film’s cast brandishes some notable headliners in Priyanka Chopra, Christian Slater, Pedro Pascal and Sung Kang.
Netflix revealed the full cast of We Can Be Heroes. The adult...
Netflix film We Can Be Heroes will see Robert Rodriguez direct an alien invasion epic, which has an intriguing cast.
We Can Be Heroes is yet another Netflix film project for which the streaming giant has tapped a high-profile name, in this case that of action auteur Robert Rodriguez. However, this particular offering will see Rodriguez tap into his more family-friendly side, utilizing a cast of kids; a side that yielded him 2000s-era success with the Spy Kids film franchise.
Rodriguez is set to write, direct and produce We Can Be Heroes for Netflix, a genre film set in the aftermath of an alien invasion, leaving the children of superheroes tasked to rescue their kidnapped parents. However, the film’s cast brandishes some notable headliners in Priyanka Chopra, Christian Slater, Pedro Pascal and Sung Kang.
Netflix revealed the full cast of We Can Be Heroes. The adult...
- 8/22/2019
- Den of Geek
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