"Black Belt Jones" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Cityonfire.com is proud to announce the 1st Annual The Urban Action Showcase, which will be taking place in New York City. This 3-day event is an independent action showcase and film festival which focuses on minority filmmakers, specifically in the action film genre.

With the help of sponsors – such as Cinemax, Warner Bros, Alan Goldberg’s Action Martial Arts Magazine and Megahoot – the purpose of this event is to recognize, promote, facilitate, and encourage the participation of ethnic minority filmmakers in the action film genre.

It will also be your chance to meet iconic action stars such as: “The Hammer“ Williamson (Three the Hard Way), Pam Grier (Foxy Brown, Jackie Brown), Ron Van Clief (Way of the Black Dragon), Rick Yune (Olympus Has Fallen), Ben Ramsey (director of Blood and Bone), Kelly Hu (The Scorpion King), Michael Jai White (Blood and Bone) and Jeff Imada (stunt choreographer).

Also – in addition to workshops, panels, contests and awards ceremonies – Warner Bros is presenting a special screening of Enter the Dragon and Black Belt Jones, in honor of the late Jim Kelly. For more information and a detailed schedule, visit urbanactionshowcase.com.

"CZ12" International Poster

THE MOVIE: Directed, written and starring Jackie Chan, CZ12 (aka Chinese Zodiac, Shi Er Sheng Xiao, The 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals) is the third part of the Armor of God series, which explores the further adventures of Asian Hawk (Jackie Chan). This time, the plot revolves around the 12 bronze animal heads from the Chinese zodiac.

CZ12 also stars Oliver Platt, Caitlin Dechelle, Steven Dasz, Kenny G, Andrew Dasz, Kwon Sang-woo and Alaa Safi.

Updates: An HD version of the trailer is now available. Jackie Chan will be making an appearance at the San Diego Comic Con this Thursday in order to promote Chinese Zodiac! This is the first time a Chinese film has ever been presented at the Con. | Brand new 5-minute behind-the-scenes clip (in Chinese). | Not much new info on the film but here’s a great shot of Jackie posing with his pals Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger at Comic Con!

Check out a new teaser trailer, featuring Jackie’s rollerblading sequence, for the film. | Check out this great new poster, courtesy of Chinese Films. | New full-length trailer! The latest poster has Jackie Chan and company flying at your face! Thanks to Twitch. | Jackie Chan fears no volcanos in the new poster for Chinese Zodiac. | Watch the new Philippine trailer. | New Hong Kong trailer for the film. | Director of distribution Ramy Choi revealed to news outlets that CZ12 is slated for a European and American theatrical release on “a few hundred screens,” starting in either the spring or summer of 2013.

BREAKING NEWS: Watch the new North American trailer, courtesy of Apple. See it in theaters on October 18th, 2013.

"Special Identity" Character Poster

Martial arts fans who were pleased by Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse’s 2006 collaboration Dragon Tiger Gate should be happy to hear that the two actors are teaming back up for a new project. Yen and Tse, easily two of the biggest stars in Hong Kong right now, will square off “emotionally and physically” in Enter the Master.

The action film is set in a US-based Chinatown where Donnie Yen’s martial arts master is pulled into the middle of a deadly Triad war thanks to his friendship with a new immigrant, played by Nicholas Tse.

Is it just us or does this almost sound like Donnie Yen’s take on the Shaw Brothers classic Chinatown Kid? Either way, Enter the Master is to be directed by Chan Hing-Kai. Donnie Yen will serve as action director as usual.

Film Business Asia does mention there are hopes of turning Enter the Master into a franchise if the first film is successful.

Update: Twitch offers word that Enter the Master is now titled simply The Master, which may or may not cause confusion with both the 1989 Jet Li movie of the same or Paul Thomas Anderson’s recent work. Directing duties have been handed off to Soi Cheang, who helmed last year’s excellent Hong Kong action racer Motorway. The film will begin shooting this year.