Rain plays an assassin who was trained to be a killing machine since he was a kid; but ran away from the group after seeing his friend mercilessly executed by the clan. He later saved a Europol agent (Naomie Harris) who is investigating the organisation and the duo work together to bring down the clan.

Check out previous video and photos of Rain training with the stunt and martial arts team. The movie will release in American cinemas on November 25.

[video via 16neelloc@Youtube]

Ninja Assassin (2009) movie trailer from YeinJee's Asian Journal

I used to watch the cartoon series when I was a kid. I’m actually a bit confused with all those matrix-like and futuristic techno soldiers; can’t remember the cartoon being as technology advanced as what was shown in the video…

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G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra (2009) movie trailer & wallpapers from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Jason Statham and Bai Ling in Crank: High Voltage (in theatres on Apr 17)

Chinese-American actress Bai Ling interview from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Jun is beginning her promotion in Japan where the movie will make its global premier on May 29th (titled as “Last Blood” in Japan). The actress looks pretty cool in the stills, but things are not doing too well for the film at the moment.

Last Blood (Image from Asmik-Ace (Jp))

There’s not much buzz created for the movie; and the trailer (British version) looks kinda disappointing… seems like it would have to rely on Jun’s fans and the original anime’s fans to support the box office.

But, as compared to the likes of “Dragonball” and “Chun Li”, the Blood anime probably doesn’t have a similarly huge fan-base to begin with. And if there’s no other attractions being pulled out in the next few weeks… things are not looking good.

The movie will be released in Europe in mid-June, but the US release date has not yet been set, which could be another huge concern. In worst case scenario, the US distributor might turn it into a DVD release if it’s not doing well in other markets… I wonder if it could still be called a Hollywood debut for Jun if it happens.

Best of luck to Jun Ji-hyun, because she really needs some luck for the film.

[Update] Sony Pictures has acquired the US rights for the movie; Gianna is getting a Hollywood debut after all.

Blood: The Last Vampire shows worrying signs from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Best picture – Slumdog Millionaire
Actor in leading role – Sean Penn, Milk
Actress in leading role – Kate Winslet, The Reader
Directing – Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Foreign language film – Departure (Japan)
Music – “Jai Ho”, Slumdog Millionaire
Music (score) – Slumdog Millionaire
Film editing – Slumdog Millionaire

Sound mixing – Slumdog Millionaire
Sound editing – The Dark Knight
Visual effects – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Documentary short – Smile Pinki

Documentary feature – Man on Wire
Actor in supporting role – Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Short film (live action) – Spielzeugland
Cinematography – Slumdog Millionaire

Makeup – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Costume design – The Duchess
Art direction – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Short film (animated) – La Maison en Petits Cubes

Animated feature film – Wall-E
Writing (adapted screenplay) – Slumdog Millionaire
Writing (original screenplay) – Milk
Actress in supporting role – Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

81st Annual Academy Awards (2009) from YeinJee's Asian Journal

DB Evolution in Seoul… director James Wong, Joon Park, Emmy Rossum, Chow Yun Fat,
Jamie Chung, Justin Chatwin and James Marsters (Image from Newsen (Kr))

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Dragonball Evolution begins Asian promotion from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Ferenc Gyurcsany into the rescue! (Image from Chinanews)

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Hungarian PM turns Bodyguard from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Rain is starring as a deadly assassin who was kidnapped and trained to be a killing machine since he was a kid, but later begun to question the organisation’s agenda and joined forces with an Interpol agent (starring Naomie Harris) to fight against the organisation. The movie is set to premier in June 2009.

[Check out some earlier pics of Rain training for his role]

Ninja Assassin – Rain’s training and stunt choreography from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (Image from Gibli Studio (Jp))

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Japan’s highest grossing movies 2008 from YeinJee's Asian Journal

The role (known as Mr Miyagi) was original played by late Pat Morita in the 1984 film, which earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

The teenage protagonist (by Ralph Macchio in 1984) will be played by Jaden Smith, Will Smith’s son.

The remake is a co-production between Columbia Pictures and state-run China Film Group; filming is scheduled to start in Beijing this summer.

The Mr Miyagi role was a classic… it’s a tough one for Jackie (or anyone else) to emulate. I have a feeling though, that they would switch the film from karate to Chinese martial arts oriented instead… “The Kungfu Kid” perhaps?

Jackie Chan to star in Karate Kid remake from YeinJee's Asian Journal

No news about the remainder of the main cast and production schedule… hope that there’s finally a good Japanese anime adaptation from Hollywood.

Keanu Reeves confirmed role for Cowboy Bebop movie from YeinJee's Asian Journal

It seems like an ok action movie if you don’t know much Street Fighter; but if you are a SF fan… you are likely to curse upside down about this.

It’s odd that they are making a movie about Chun Li but not showing much of SF elements in the film; people wouldn’t have guess that it’s a SF trailer if it’s not for the movie title… the characters and fights are just way off from the original gaming series.

The Legend of Chun Li will premier on February 27th in US and a day later in Japan.

The Legend of Chun Li (2009) movie trailer from YeinJee's Asian Journal

From a neutral point of view, the trailer doesn’t look too bad for those who don’t have much clue about the original Dragon Ball… but the DB’s fans are likely to hate this trailer/movie; it just couldn’t reflect the essence of the original work.

Dragonball Evolution (2009) movie trailer from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Canadian comedian Seth Rogen will co-write the movie and star as the main character; and Stephen Chow will star as Kato, Green Hornet’s sidekick which was played by legendary martial arts star Bruce Lee in the TV adaptation in 1960s.

The Green Hornet and Kato, played by Van Williams and Bruce Lee in 1960s TV series

It’s said that the movie will be more comedic than the original versions (comic, radio and TV)… but I have doubts over the making of this movie regardless. It just doesn’t click for me, and I don’t think the young generations could relate to the characters.

The Green Hornet is scheduled to premier in Summer 2010.

Stephen Chow to direct and star in Green Hornet from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Seems like Hollywood are really into making live action movies adapted from Japanese anime recently… first there was “Speed Racer”, then the “Dragon Ball” and now “Cowboy Bebop”. I wonder if the Hollywood film makers are really short of ideas or whatever… hmmm, writers’ strike perhaps.

I don’t really like the idea of adapting Japanese anime to live action movies… but if it’s becoming a trend, Cowboy Bebop is probably one of those few anime that should look great in live because of the real-to-life characters.

There are rumours that Keanu Reeves will be involved, but the speculations are probably based on the fact that Stoff is Reeves’ agent. Not many details are available yet… the production is still in early stage obviously.

Live action movie for Cowboy Bebop? from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Scanned image of Shōnen Jump, the Japanese magazine that published the original manga… featuring some introduction about the cast and characters (via Dbthemovie)

Dragonball movie is starring Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Jamie Chung, Emmy Rossum, Chow Yun Fat, Joon Park and Eriko Tamura etc.

The movie created some hype when it was announced last year that Hong Kong star Stephen Chow, a renowned DB fan, would be working with Twentieth Century Fox to produce a live movie adapted from the popular Japanese anime and manga.

The initial buzz was not all positive though, as lots of the Dragon Ball fans are worried that the movie would spoil the original work. Judging from some recent developments, it seems that their worry are not entirely baseless.

I won’t say that I am a huge fan of Dragon Ball, but it was one of the first Japanese manga that I read… and I do like it. Hope that the movie will at least be watchable.

What’s up with Dragonball movie? from YeinJee's Asian Journal