There was a time when Tony Jaa (Ong Bak) was eyed as a potential villain in Live Free or Die Hard before the film took a narrative turn. Jaa has since remained a star in his native Thailand with the continuation of the Ong Bak franchise into a trilogy, The Protector and more, as he has yet to find his way into a Hollywood production. That’s finally about to change.
Jaa has been cast in an unspecified role in Fast and Furious 7 for director James Wan and he gave the following quote to The Hollywood Reporter regarding the casting:
I have been a big fan of the Fast and Furious franchise. The films are fast paced, fun and keep the audience involved. There is a great mix of humor and action, something I really appreciate. There is no better film to be involved in for a first U.S. studio production.
While the role he’ll play is not yet known, it’s already known Jason Statham will play the film’s villain, but if tradition holds, Jaa being a foreigner means he’ll most likely be a bad guy in the film, but we can hope that trend changes and maybe he’ll be on the side of the “good” guys and give Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and gang a bit of a boost.
Chris Morgan wrote the script and production is expected to start soon for a July 11, 2014 release and already news is leaking as to where the production may head.
Colorado’s The Gazette reports “[t]he Pikes Peak Highway will be closed to drivers for a few days in September,” though they aren’t entirely sure it will be for Fast 7.
According to Wikipedia, the Pikes Peak Highway in Pike National Forest, Cascade-Chipita Park, CO is a 19-mile toll road that runs from Cascade, Colorado to the summit of Pikes Peak in El Paso County, Colorado, at an altitude of 14,115 feet. The highway has been home to an annual automobile and motorcycle race called the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb since 1916.
Finally, if you’re unsure of who Tony Jaa is, check out this following uncut fight scene from The Protector. The movie isn’t any good (read my review here), but this scene is outstanding and it showcases Jaa’s talents, which are always impressive.
