After success, or as specialized publications often write, “the return of Guy Ritchie” with the film "Gentlemen" (2019), eminent British director with screenwriters Ivan Atkins и Marn Davis immediately planned an action-packed action comedy with Jason Statham starring.
But with the production of Richie’s major project, something went wrong and a decision was made with the same people to shoot a “transshipment” film, which became a dramatic action movie "The Wrath of Man" (2021). But after all the issues with the production of the desired film were settled, Richie began filming the project "Operation Fortune: The Art of Victory" (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre).
Synopsis: Elite intelligence officer Orson Fortune has received a new mission: to stop the sale and distribution of deadly weapons. But he cannot complete this mission alone. He is forced to team up with the world's best operatives, as well as a famous film actor who will provide the swashbuckling group with a convincing cover. The fate of humanity is at stake, but this time the super spies will have to play by Hollywood's rules.
The main role, as expected, is assigned to Jason Statham (“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” “Snatch,” “The Expendables” franchise), but he’s kept company entirely by stars: Josh Hartnett (“Lucky Number Slevin”, “The Wrath of Man”), Obra Plaza ("Scott Pilgrim vs. the World") Hugh grant (“Gentlemen”) and other actors.
The author of the fight choreography in the film is a martial arts master and stuntman Vincent Wang, who has been working in Hollywood since the early 2000s (Batman Begins, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Great Wall), and Vaughn is also known for his collaboration with a Vietnamese director Victor Wu, the result of which were militants that were very good in terms of the quality of hand-to-hand combat "Report" (2017) and "Immortal" (2018). Vincent also plays a small role in "Operations", as well as former kickboxing champion, stuntman and actor Jess Liodine (“Big Brother”, “Anna”, “One Shot”).
Russian distribution awaits “Operation Fortune” 17 March 2022 year.
Usually, news about historical projects appears on our website if they are films produced in Asian countries. It just so happens that martial arts are used in such films about the Middle Ages of China, Japan, Korea or Thailand.
But past the American project called "Northerner" (at the Russian box office the film has already been dubbed "Varyag") we couldn't get through. The local action looks too stylish and interesting.
The Northman - project of screenwriter and director Robert Eggers, which was previously noted for horror films "Witch" (2015) and "Lighthouse" (2019)
"Varangian" based on the Scandinavian legend that inspired Shakespeare himself to write Hamlet. Prince Amleth takes revenge on his father's murderers and wants to reclaim the kingdom that rightfully belongs to him in the setting of the twilight of the Viking Age.
The main role went to Alexander Skarsgard (Mute, Godzilla vs. Kong) who is in amazing physical shape. The rest of the cast includes venerable actors: Anya Taylor-Joy (TV series Peaky Blinders), Ethan Hawk ("Gattaca") Nicole Kidman ("Maulin Rouge") Willem Defoe (“Grand Budapest Hotel”), Hafthor Bjornson (TV series “Game of Thrones”), famous singer Björk (“Dancing in the Dark”) and others.
A specialist from Denmark is responsible for the action and stunts. Jon Vidar Arnorsson, who has been building his career as a director since the early 2000s. Of the familiar names among the stuntmen, we spotted British martial arts practitioner and actor Jack Berry (“Wonder Woman”, “Judy”).
Premiere "Varyag" in Russian box office is scheduled for April 28 2022 years.
Let's finish today's selection with a French action comedy called "Kungfu Zohra" (Kung-Fu Zhora).
The film is the brainchild of the writer and director Mabrouk El Mekri, who is known for his dark thriller "J.K.V.D." (2008) starring Van Damme and crime action film "In the middle of the day" (2011) with Henry Cavill and Sigirney Weaver.
The film is about a woman, Zohra, who suffers domestic violence from her husband Omar out of fear that he will separate her from her little daughter. Zohra silently endures all the blows, but it becomes more and more difficult to hide the truth from her friends. As a result, as it happens, a person appears in Zohra’s life who will change her whole life. This person becomes the elderly gym guard Chang Xiu.
The following took part in the film: Sabrina Ouazani (“Taxi 5”, “So far so good”), Ramzi Bedia (“Taxi 5”, “Stray Bullet”), Hey Aidara (“Patriot”) and other actors.
A Frenchman we know is responsible for staging the hand-to-hand choreography Kefi Abrikh (“Vidoc: Vampire Hungter”, “Undercover Playboy”, “Fury”, “Driver Cop”), and Uazan’s understudy is a Vietnamese stuntwoman Helen Tran (“Lucy”, “Anna”, “The Last Mercenary”).
The film opens in French box office 9 March 2022 year.
Tags: Kung-Fu Zohra, Operation Fortune: Cunning War, The Northman, Alexander Skarsgard, Anya Taylor-Joy, Vincent Wang, Guy Ritchie, Jason Statham, Jack Berry, Jess Liodine, Josh Hartnett, Ethan Hawk, Kefi Abrikh, Mabrouk El Mekri, Obra Plaza, Ramzi Bedia, Robert Eggers, Sabrina Ouazani, Willem Defoe, Hafthor Bjornson, Helen Tran, Hugh grant
“Varyag” is quite a spectacular and bloody film, without glamour. The combat is realistic (except for moments like how they storm a wall bare-chested) and dirty.
Added the second trailer for "Varyag".