MTV’s Original Movies for Television division takes martial arts films to the next level with its acquisition of Volcano High. This South Korean film, a cult hit on the international film festival circuit, is getting the MTV treatment with a new mind-blowing hip-hop score and the voice talent of an incredible assembly of celebrities from the world of hip hop, film, and television including OutKast’s Andre 3000 & Big Boi, Snoop Dogg, Mya, Tracy Morgan, Lil’ Jon, Pat Morita, Kelis, and Method Man. Volcano High premieres on MTV on December 21st at 9pm (ET/PT).
“Once again MTV Original Movies is redefining the TV movie,” said Lois Curren, Executive Vice President, Series and Movie Development. “We are so excited to present this groundbreaking project and explore the synergy between hip-hop and kung fu movies – two art forms our audience loves.”
Volcano High blends stunning martial arts wirework and dazzling special effects in a witty stylized high school setting. Andre 3000 (OutKast) plays Kim, a charming new student to Volcano High and Lil’ Jon (current hit “Get Low”) portrays Jang, the boisterous school bully who challenges Kim in his very first class. Jang does not know that Kim is cursed with special powers that allow him to dominate any fight, but Kim is determined to keep his abilities secret. Snoop Dogg (Starsky and Hutch) portrays Hakrim, Volcano High’s class president who discovers Kim’s secret and Mya (Chicago) portrays the class beauty who comes between them all. Tracy Morgan (The Tracy Morgan Show) brings humor to the role of Woo Ping, Jang’s sidekick and the class is rounded out by Big Boi (OutKast) and Kelis (current hit song “Milkshake” with The Neptunes).
Method Man (Scary Movie 3) plays the pivotal role of Mr. Ma, an imposing substitute teacher brought in to discipline the students by Volcano High’s Vice Principal played by veteran actor Pat Morita. Mr. Ma’s methods prove so severe that Kim must put aside all rivalries and concern for his own fate to lead the student in the fight against the teachers, resulting in an explosive final showdown between Kim and Mr. Ma.
“It’s a star-studded vocal event,” said Andre 3000 (OutKast), playing the lead in Volcano High, when asked why he wanted to participate in this project.
Directed by Kim Tae-gyun, the original Volcano High cast featured Korean actors Jang Hyuk, Shin Min-ah, Kwon Sang-woo, and Gong Hyo-jin. Special effects supervisor was Chang Seong-ho. Executive producer is Rob Edwards and Ted Chung and Seung Chung are co-executive producers. The project is produced by Jack Maeby. Composers are Gary G-Wiz and Amani K. Smith. Volcano High also features two new songs by producer Just Blaze, who produced Fabolous and Joe Budden.
Volcano High is being produced in conjunction with Distant Horizon, Inc. with Anant Singh and Brian Cox serving as executive producers. Project was overseen by Maggie Malina, SVP, MTV Original Movies for Television and Danielle Woodrow, Director, MTV Original Movies for Television.
