“Metro Manila” Theatrical Poster

UK writer/director Sean Ellis (Cashback) takes his talents to the mean streets of Philippines with his gritty-thriller, Metro Manila (read our review). Although there’s no official U.S. release date, Metro Manila is already being hailed as “masterpiece” for those who have seen it around the world. If even took home the Sundance 2013 World Dramatic Audience award.

Here’s a plot excerpt: Seeking a brighter future in megacity Manila, Oscar Ramirez and his family flee their impoverished life in the rice fields of the northern Philippines. But the sweltering capital’s bustling intensity quickly overwhelms them, and they fall prey to the rampant manipulations of its hardened locals.

Wanna see what all the fuss is about? Grab some adobo and check out the trailer.

"Extraction" Promotional Poster

Jon Foo – the martial arts star of Tekken and Bangkok Revenge – returns in Extraction, the first feature film to premiere on Crackle.com. The upcoming action thriller also stars Danny Glover (Predator 2), Vinnie Jones (Snatch), Joanne Kelly, Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings) and Falk Hentschel. Extraction is directed by Tony Giglio, who is best known for directing Jason Statham in Chaos.

Here’s the official plot: Extraction follows a U.S. Black Ops team member (Foo) who finds himself the only survivor of a botched prisoner extraction mission. Forced to fight his way out of a maximum-security Chechen prison, he must keep his target alive in order to catch a terrorist arms-dealer who is a threat to thousands of lives.

Extraction premiers on Crackle.com on September 5, 2013. Until then, be sure and check out the action-packed trailer, featuring Foo’s fancy moves. – Thanks to Combat Film Syndicate for the heads up!

"On The Job" International Theatrical Poster

Indiewire reports that Well Go USA has acquired distribution rights to Erik Matti’s Filipino thriller On The Job. “We are thrilled we were able to acquire the movie before its premiere in Cannes and can’t wait to bring it to audiences in North America,” said Doris Pfardrescher, President of Well Go USA Entertainment.

According to Inidewire, On The Job was inspired by a real-life scandal in which prison inmates were temporarily released from prison to work as contract killers on behalf of corrupt politicians.

Well Go USA plans to release the film in select theaters this fall. Until then, watch the trailer.

Updates: Film Combat Syndicate reports that On The Job is going to be remade in English by 2 Guns director Baltasar Kormakur. XYZ films, the company backing The Raid 2 and The Night Comes For Us, will be producing along with Kormakur.

BREAKING NEWS: Watch the newest trailer. – Thanks to Film Combat Syndicate for the heads up.

"The Avenging Fist" Japanese DVD Cover

Chinese singer-actor Wang Leehom (Little Big Soldier, The Avenging Fist, Lust, Caution) is set to star in an adaptation of Stan Lee’s comic book, Annihilator. Dan Gilroy (The Bourne Legacy) has been hired to write the screenplay.

According to Variety, the story of Annihilator revolves around a young Chinese expatriate who must choose between remaining in prison or enlist in a secret U.S. super soldier program. After a grueling gauntlet of tests and experiments, he survives thanks to “his extreme resolve, gained as a result of his family’s tradition of practicing Qijong and martial arts.”

Leehom is currently working on Michael Mann’s untitled film (tentatively called Cyber) about cyber-terrorism starring Chris Hemsworth, Andy On (Special ID), as well as his Lust, Caution co-star, Tang Wei.

"Hero" Japanese Theatrical Poster

According to Variety, Chinese film director Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) is in early negotiations with Warner Bros. to bring the Hunchback of Notre-Dame back to life in Quasimodo.

The film, which has been in development for some time (previously with Tim Burton and Josh Brolin attached to direct and star, respectively), will be another re-telling of Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel.

The story is about a gypsy girl who is framed for murder, and it’s up to Quasimodo, a deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, to save her. Who knows, perhaps Zhang Yimou will put a wuxia spin on it? We’ll keep you posted.