Warner Bros has released new details on The Wachowski Brothers-produced Ninja Assassin. As you probably already know, Ninja Assassin is directed by James McTeigue (V For Vendetta) from a screenplay by Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski. The film stars stars Korean pop star Rain (Speed Racer) as Raizo, one of the deadliest assassins in the world.
“Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them… and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge.
In Berlin, Europol agent Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris) has stumbled upon a money trail linking several political murders to an underground network of untraceable assassins from the Far East. Defying the orders of her superior, Ryan Maslow (Ben Miles), Mika digs into top secret agency files to learn the truth behind the murders. Her investigation makes her a target, and the Ozunu Clan sends a team of killers, led by the lethal Takeshi (Rick Yune), to silence her forever. Raizo saves Mika from her attackers, but he knows that the Clan will not rest until they are both eliminated. Now, entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Europe, Raizo and Mika must trust one another if they hope to survive… and finally bring down the elusive Ozunu Clan.”
The film also stars legendary martial arts performer Sho Kosugi (Revenge of the Ninja) as the ruthless leader of the Ozunu Clan. Sounds like it could be a very cool Ninja action film. I was really impressed with McTeigue’s V for Vendetta, but The Invasion was a disaster, although I’m not sure McTeigue can really be blamed for not being able to fix the mess that was handed to him.
he behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Karl Walter Lindenlaub (Independence Day, Prince Caspian), production designer Graham “Grace” Walker (Pitch Black, Gothika), costume designer Carlo Poggioli (Cold Mountain) and editor Giancarlo Ganziano. The Wachowski brothers’ longtime stunt coordinators Chad Stahelski and David Leitch are also on board as second unit co-directors. Joel Silver, Grant Hill, Larry Wachowski and Andy Wachowski are producing, with Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and William Fay serving as executive producers.
Principal photography has started at Babelsberg Studios and on location in various parts of Berlin.
May 30th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
“but The Invasion was a disaster, although I’m not sure McTeigue can really be blamed for not being able to fix the mess that was handed to him.”
I think its more of a problem of two different styles clashing, the entire movie was just an unfocused mess, I dont know what Joel Silver was thinking when he made the decision (if anyone is to blame, its him) . If the Wachowskis and McTiegue made the Invasion to start with, from scratch, no doubt it would be better than the hack job of a movie that ended up coming out.
Just like I assume Hirschbiegels original cut is far better as well. (hopefully it gets a DVD release one day)
May 30th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I hope this turns out well. I liked V a lot, and i’m sure The Brothers did have a helping hand in it.
The Invasion wasn’t good. But I have high hopes for NA.
May 30th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I’m willing to see anything with Wachowski on it, but I’m crossing my fingers for Rain! He played such a measly character in Speed Racer, barely holding his own in the fight scenes, and sorry to say, his acting wasn’t much better. I have high hopes for this one, though!
May 30th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Wachowski Brother + Sister = Over-rated.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Go Watchowsky’s, Go!!!
’nuff said
ps. yeah… as AL suggest, Invasion was a clash of 2 different directions for such a mess of a movie
May 30th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
RAIN? Oh deer lowered. That guy is an awful actor… although, i suppose for a K-Pop singer he’s about par for the course. I understand how he kept getting K-Drama gigs (there’s not much for the male lead to do), but why he’s getting a push for US exposure is well beyond me. And then he’s supposed to be a Ninja?!
May 31st, 2008 at 3:03 am
Finally a Ninja Film again. :? I missed them so much.
May 31st, 2008 at 9:27 am
Rain looks gay. I don’t see him as a Martial Artist. Maybe a fangirl would love to see him with his shirt off moving around pretending to be a Martial Artist, but he doesn’t fool me. He looks like a gay boy dancer faking it to be a Martial Artist.
The movie is gonna suck. Why not have a REAL Martial Artist play a Martial Artist you dumb ass producers ?! Hollywood is so full of shit.
May 31st, 2008 at 9:27 am
Rain ? As a Ninja ? LOL ROFL
May 31st, 2008 at 8:04 pm
persoanlly, I’d rather see actors in film, but I understand the reasoning behind the other thought process.
Hey, Wachowskis! No pressure. :)
June 11th, 2008 at 4:52 am
i’m a fan of rain, and hey… actor suppose to be an actor right… they’re all pretending in becoming different person.
Bruce wills is not a soldier and he still played his role well in tears of the sun.
so why need to have a real martial artist just to fit the sense??
weird people!!!!