Oh Tony......

[TheBaron]

Seems that Panna Rittikrai, Tony's mentor, has taken over the directing duties on Ong Bak 2. This is good news I reckon. It leaves Tony free to concentrate on his performance and leaves an excellent action director in the chair. I was worried by the previous rumours that Prachya Pinkaew was gonna take over as director but thankfully that hasnt happened...phew.

[Drunken Master]

I agree, Baron. I think it goes back to what I said previously. Tony Jaa was trying to do too much without the relevant experiance. I hope this whole incident will just blow over now and not become the start of the end for him. A big enough (financial) success will make it easier to forget too as far as the film industry goes.

[Phil]

So where is this at now, last I heard Tony had gone back to work with Rittikrai stepping in to help direct?

[TheBaron]

Posters are going up around Thailand at the moment. It's still on track for a December 4th release. Woohoo.

[Yama]

Yeah saw some posters in Bankok. not really up for another rehash of Thai fighting unless its done with a bit of panache. __

[ASaroch]

Is it still likely that he'll be in a Hollywood vehicle? It seems he's reached his zenith so I'm surprised he hasn't been snapped up by western film-makers. Not that it is a thrilling idea of course.

[Phil]

I thought the same but his popularity seems to have dwindled since Tom Yum Goong and no ones seems as interested anymore. This could be due to to the lack of new films or just that faith in the martial arts star isn't as strong as it was

[TheBaron]

I don't think Tony's popularity has diminished. The thing is, in the five years after Ong bak was released, he's only made 2 films. That is not much of a production rate, especially for a man in his physical prime. I do get the impression that TJ takes his movie making very seriously and puts in a terrific amount of effort to make the best action film he can. I applaud him. It's shame he had a breakdown during Ong Bak 2, but I still think the movie is going to be amazing. I've got a feeling it could be the defining MA movie of the decade.

[Drunken Master]

Or are those just hopes because of what he's been through, Baron? I love to see Tony Jaa in full swing, but I'm still yet to see any signs of any charisma on screen. I have hopes that this will be the one that shows he has more than just great moves.

[Charlie Parker]

http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/05/ong-bak-star-tony-jaa-joins-the-monkhood.php

Ho hum!