"The Monkey King" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Accident and Motorway director Cheang Pou-soi has been developing a big screen, special FX-infused adaptation of the famous Monkey King tale for almost three years now. Production began way back in October of 2010 but we haven’t heard much since then, besides the fact that the film’s high budget means it will have to make at least $88 million at the Chinese box office to break even.

The star-studded cast includes Donnie Yen as the Monkey King, Chow Yun Fat, Aaron Kwok, and Cecilia Cheung. The Monkey Kong was shot in IMAX 3D and employed visual effects talent from Hollywood personel who had worked on films like I Am Legend and Spider-Man 3.

Updates: Teaser poster and 1st teaser trailer for The Monkey King are online today. | Yen says the film proved to one of his most challenging roles ever, due to the fact that he had to endure 5 hours of make-up to turn into the Monkey King each day. | Newest trailer. | The movie hits theaters in China/Hong Kong on January 31, 2014. | JayneStars has a whole slew of character posters for the film, including this one of Donnie Yen as the Monkey King. Also look for Chow Yun-fat and Aaron Kwok among the star-studded cast!

Our first extended glimpse of movie footage is here with this teaser trailer, although unfortunately it’s dubbed in English. You can also check out a behind the scenes video. | New trailer.

BREAKING NEWS: Watch a new trailer. – Thanks to Film Combat Syndicate

"Blood Ties" Theatrical Poster

THE MOVIE: Blood Ties is a gangster/thriller by French director Guillaume Canet (Tell No One) about two brothers, on both sides of the law, who face off over organized crime in Brooklyn during the 1970s. Blood Ties stas Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Cotillard, Zoe Saldana, Mila Kunis, Matthias Schoenaerts, Noah Emmerich, Lili Taylor and James Caan.

The film is a remake of a 2008’s Les liens du sang by Jacques Maillot (which is an adaptation of the French novel of the same name by Bruno and Michel Papet).

Updates: New poster and trailer. | Blood Ties has a March 21, 2014 release date.

BREAKING NEWS: Watch the new trailer.

Lionsgate's action and martial arts line up.

Well Go USA and Shout! Factory might have some competition! Lionsgate Entertainment is striking back with their own blend of martial arts action titles. Their upcoming line up – consisting of both old and new titles – feature stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme, Cung Le, Dolph Lundgren, Robin Shou, Le Gang and many more! Here’s a quick list of what to expect in the coming months:

Mortal Enemies: Also known as Pirate Brothers, this Indonesian martial arts flick stars Robin Shou (Mortal Kombat) and Capoeira practitioner (Brazilian art form of martial arts, sports, and music) Verdy Bhawanta and features award-winning cinematographer Ardy Lam (Once Upon A Time In China). Mortal Enemies release on February 18 and is available for pre-order.

Kingdom of Conquerors: Also known as An End to Killing, this is a glorified action tale of Genghis Khan, an emperor known for his ruthlessness and barbarism. Starring Zhao Youliang, Tu Men, Park Ye-jin, Geng Le, Yu Shaoqun and Li Xiaoran. Kingdom of Conquerors released on March 8, 2014 and is available for pre-order.

Puncture Wounds: Also known as A Certain Justice. After returning home from a traumatic tour of duty in Iraq, John (Cung Le) finds himself rescuing a local call girl from a group of violent Aryan Brotherhood pimps. Also starring Dolph Lundgren, Sean O’Bryan and Vinnie Jones. Puncture Wounds releases on March 11, 2014 and is available for pre-order.

Enemies Closer: Jean-Claude Van Damme reunited with legendary director, Peter Hyams (Timecop). Two mortal enemies (Orlando Jones and Tom Everett Scott) must make a choice: put aside their past and work together, or die alone at the hands of a ruthless gang (headed by Van Damme) who will stop at nothing to retrieve their lost cargo. Enemies Closer releases on March 11, 2014 and is available for pre-order.

Warrior Assassin: Two strangers set out on individual quests for revenge, and when they cross paths, they discover that revenge lies with the same man. Joining forces, it will take more than an army to keep them from unleashing the ultimate punishment, even if it means sacrificing their own lives. Starring Pan Yuanjia, Ji Chunhua and Bryan Leung (aka Leung Kar Yan or “Beardy”). Warrior Assassin releases on April 1, 2014 and is available for pre-order.

For a full list of all the upcoming martial arts titles on Blu-ray & DVD, please click here.

"Welcome to the Jungle" Sales Art

THE MOVIE: Directed by Rob Meltzer, Welcome to the Jungle is a Lord of the Flies-style comedy/thriller starring Jean Claude Van Damme with Adam Brody (Lovelace), Kristen Schaal (Flight of the Conchords) and Rob Huebel (The Descendants). Also briefly appearing are Van Damme’s kids, Kristopher Van Varenberg (6 Bullets) and Bianca Bree (Assassination Games).

Welcome to the Jungle is about employees at a design firm who end up stranded on a remote island after a corporate retreat gone wrong. It doesn’t take long for a hierarchy to form and pit the survivors at each other’s throats. Van Damme as a corporate raider? Could be interesting.

Updates: Vandammefan.net linked a Jimmy Kimmel interview with Kristen Schaal, comedian and Van Damme’s co-star in Welcome to the Jungle. : Part 1 | Part 2 | Check out two new comedic clips from the film featuring Van Damme. | First Welcome to the Jungle trailer.

BREAKING NEWS: Watch the 2nd trailer. Also, the film will be available for Blu-ray/DVD on March 25th. – Thanks to Film Combat Syndicate

"Vor" Promotional Poster

A Hong Kong-based independent studio that calls themselves Drifting Pictures is prepping up a film called Vor, a movie Film Combat Syndicate decribes as “an epic martial arts gangster tale that explores the honor codes and rules of the Russian and Chinese criminal underworlds.”

Vor marks the directorial debut feature of actor, fight choreographer and writer Philippe Joly (who appears in the upcoming Chow Yun-fat film, From Vegas To Macau). Joly also co-stars alongside Kirt Kishita, Andrew Ng, Tom Caserto and action director Temur Mamisashvili, with Jai Day, Beck Artikov, Lorea Solabarrieta, Nathalie Ng, Alan Wai and Nathan Kan.

Update: Watch the new teaser trailer!

"Special Identity" Chinese Theatrical Poster

THE MOVIE: A cop and his team of comrades go undercover in one of China’s most ruthless underworld organizations to stop a gang leader, only to put themselves in great danger after being exposed one by one.

Special Identity is directed by Clarence Fok, who directed the original The Iceman Cometh that Donnie Yen happens to be remaking. He also helmed the classic Category III flick Naked Killer and the underrated 1998 film Cheap Killers.

Updates: Mtime.com reports that Flash Point’s Collin Chou has joined the Special Identity cast. | HKtop10 reports that Mainland director Tan Bing (who was originally going to direct Special Identity back when it was still known as The Ultimate Codebreak) held a press conference and made several accusations against Donnie Yen. | Asian Movie Pulse has more on the issue, with claims that Donnie Yen may be taking Vincent Zhao to court.

Via Twitch, Donnie Yen’s official website has a gallery of pictures, including many behind-the-scenes photos and action shots from Special Identity. | Andy On speaks! In a new interview, the veteran martial artist/actor stays pretty quiet about the Donnie/Vincent feud but lets it slip that he and Donnie share a 10 minute fight scene in the film. In fact, Andy makes it sound like he and Donnie went ‘full contact’ for their fight – and we believe him! Thanks to Martial Arts Action Cinema for the story. | New English-subtitled trailer. | New behind-the-scenes featurette.

New TV spot. | Behind-the-scenes footage by action choreographer John Salvitti. | Another behind-the-scenes feature. | International promo. | Trailer #3. | 2-minute fight scene! | New poster art to be had (more here), featuring Donnie Yen, Andy On and others. | Behind-the-scenes clip involving car stunts. | Donnie Yen vs. Andy On action clip. | Donnie Yen vs. Ken Lo action clip, courtesy of Film Combat Syndicate. | Impressive “Donnie Yen vs. Bruce Lee” clip.

BREAKING NEWS: Watch the new North American trailer. Well Go USA’s release is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com.