“The Jet” Poster
Award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Tiexiera (Speak, Subject) is currently filming The Jet, a documentary that focuses on the life story of kickboxer Benny “The Jet” Urquidez.
The upcoming project is produced by both Keanu Reeves (John Wick: Chapter 4) and Academy Award winner Fisher Stevens (The Cove, Short Circuit).
Nicknamed for his explosive spinning back kick, Sensei Benny “The Jet” Urquidez was a huge force in bringing martial arts into the mainstream. A top-level kickboxer and karate fighter, he held six world titles across five weight divisions and stayed undefeated through a kickboxing career that lasted more than 20 years.
Outside the ring, Urquidez became a trusted name in martial arts films throughout the ’80s and ’90s, working as a fight choreographer, stunt coordinator, and even taking on starring roles. His film credits include 1980’s The Octagon, 1981’s Force:Five, 1989’s Road House, 1991’s Bloodmatch, 1994’s Street Fighter and 1997’s Grosse Pointe Blank.
For fans of Hong Kong action cinema, he’s mostly known for going one-on-one with Jackie Chan in 1984’s Wheels on Meals and 1988’s Dragons Forever, both of which are considered some of the best battles ever put on celluloid between two humans.
Urquidez also trained Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, Mark Wahlberg, Nicole Kidman, Kurt Russell, Patrick Swayze, Nicolas Cage, Michelle Pfeiffer, Duff McKagan, and plenty of others.
Just this past January, the Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California hosted a star-studded gala event celebrating Urquidez. The celebration marked the official unveiling of a permanent exhibit dedicated to Urquidez’s legacy — often called the Urquidez Wall Exhibit — which highlights his impact as a pioneer of American kickboxing and his contributions to martial arts and entertainment.
The Jet is due for release later this year from Unapologetic Projects. For now, we leave you with the Trailers and fight highlights from Urquidez’ legendary career:
Looking forward to this story being told. Benny’s interview on The Art of Action was great stuff and he and Scott Adkins were definitely in tune with each other.