"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!