City of Blood (2016) - Sasha Mitchell; directed by Albert Pyun

[AlbertV]

Originally meant to be a possible web series, it is now official that Sasha Mitchell will return as David Sloan in THE KICKBOXER, which will be a new feature film. Film Combat Syndicate got the recent report involving this new installment of the original saga...even more interesting is that the recently retired Albert Pyun has decided to forgo his retirement to make this film.

Here's the plot:

David Sloan (Sasha Mitchell), is chosen to escort an American aide worker, Jenny Reynolds (TBD), a witness to a cold blooded rape and murder of three Somali female aide workers, to the local magistrate across Mogadishu. The murder was staged to look like it was committed by a UN Peacekeepers. But Jenny recognizes the killer as wearing a UN Peacekeeper's uniform but is a al-Shabaab terrorist name Siad Ali and not a real UN soldier.

Sloan is a damaged survivor of the al-Shabaab terrorist group attack on a village in Northern Kenya. He is now a partially crippled man working for the UN multi-national Peacekeeping troops in Somalia, trying to lead a quiet life. He is mocked by his fellow UN Peacekeepers for being an ex-kickboxing champion in a MMA world. He is seen as an antiquated man in a modern time. The UN Peacekeepers working for al-Shabaab think Sloan is too damaged and remote to cause trouble or incapable of protecting Jenny.

Sloan's CO, Captain Holmes (Michael Tushaus) tells Sloan to get Jenny to the magistrate so she can testify to him him that a UN soldier was not involved. This truth must get out before the local population hears the lie and riots.

Sloan picks up Jenny from a UN prison and safely ushers out of the UN headquarters and past two French UN soldiers, Bastien (Scott Paulin) and Thiry (Norbert Weisser) on al-Shabaab's payroll. Jenny wears a traditional head scarf and robe which masks her identity as Sloan spirits her out.

Later we learn that al-Shabaab staged the murders to incite the Somali people to be outraged and riot. This will allow al-Shabaab insurgents to enter the city and force the UN out. It is revealed that al-Qaeda is actually behind the plot and want Mogadishu to be another Benghazi type unrest masking terrorists attacks on the UN and U.S. Presence in Somalia. After narrowly avoiding an attempt on their lives, Sloan is forced into a kill or be killed chase as he flees the Al-Shabaab action to kill Jenny and now.

Unfortunately, Sloan and Jenny seemingly don’t stand a chance against Siad Ali’s ruthless (and blood-drenched) attempts at killing Jenny. He gathers several dozen UN turncoat soldiers and hundreds of heavily armed al-Shabaab terrorists to prevent Sloan from getting Jenny to the magistrate.

The action covers the gamut from hand to hand martial arts fights to a Bourne style car action sequence, to several raging gun battles through the streets of Mogadishu. The ferocity of the attacks serve to awaken Sloan to show Siad Ali that he is still a formidable man.

And I just heard today that Kevin Sorbo is appearing in the film as a potential ally or rival to Sloan. Albert Pyun made the announcement on his Facebook page.

Shooting for THE KICKBOXER will begin in January.

[kami]

Good lord, that promises to become a true stinker. Pyun plus an old Sasha Mitchell, who even in his prime wasn't very impressive, plus the dependable fat asshole Kevin Sorbo minus any real money or talent. I am already shuddering.

[Keung]

I wonder if Dennis Chan was approached to play Xian.

[ShaOW!linDude]

Good lord, that promises to become a true stinker. Pyun plus an old Sasha Mitchell, who even in his prime wasn't very impressive...

Exactly! Of all the MA talent out there, I never understood why anyone thought he'd do well in MA flicks. Sheesh. Now they're going to revive a character that was killed off for a current day Rambo/run-or-die plot. Seriously, Pyun could come up with something better than this.

[DragonClaws]

Its a shame Mark Dacascos didn't return to the role as he appeared in the last film. He's also a lot better screen fighter than Sasha Mitchell.

[NoKUNGFUforYU]

I recall seeing Sasha in a movie with Talisa Soto, who was pretty hot at one time. He played a boxer in that. The problem with boxers is that if you don't actually punch the guy, they look awkward on film. Benny the Jet was an exception. He had a karate tournament background, so he had good control. Yes, Jackie thought he was too rough, but if he wanted to, he would have hospitalized Jackie's Peking Opera ass. Sorry, that always bugged me that he thought he could think of fighting a world class athlete and fighter. If he even dreamed that he needs to wake up and slap himself.

Anyway, look at Don Wilson- horrendous movie fighter, looked great in the ring though, kicks and punches.

[mpm74]

Good lord, that promises to become a true stinker. Pyun plus an old Sasha Mitchell, who even in his prime wasn't very impressive, plus the dependable fat asshole Kevin Sorbo minus any real money or talent. I am already shuddering.

LOL! Dude...

[mpm74]

Albert Pyun announced that Dennis Chan (Kickboxer 1-3) is reprising his role as mentor, Xian Chow. Also, Michel Qissi (Kickboxer 1-2, Bloodsport), who played the original Tong Po in the series, will be appearing as a different character named Said Ali.

[One Armed Boxer]

Big Mike Leeder announced on his Facebook page recently that he'll be co-producing this....the battle of the 'Kickboxer' remakes continues!

[AlbertV]

Albert Pyun announced that Dennis Chan (Kickboxer 1-3) is reprising his role as mentor, Xian Chow. Also, Michel Qissi (Kickboxer 1-2, Bloodsport), who played the original Tong Po in the series, will be appearing as a different character named Said Ali.

Awesome news...and just for those who missed it...Said Ali is the main nemesis of the film!!! Rematch!!!

[Secret Executioner]

Somehow, the more I read this thread and the updates, the more I'm getting into that movie. I think I would go see it or buy it (the latter sounds more likely, as I don't see being much more than DTV).

[DrNgor]

Albert Pyun has commented on the B-Masters Blog a number of times and always takes bashing his movies with a healthy sense of humor. I wish him and the crew success in this endeavor.

[mpm74]

Here'e an interesting news flash...

According to Albert Pyun Facebook, producer Mike Leeder has connected the director with Julie Estelle. The Indonesian actress, mostly known for playing Hammer Girl in The Raid 2, has officially been cast as Tun, a secret police agent.

I don't know about you guys, but Pyun's Kickboxer is starting to sound more interesting than the higher budget one. A little Estelle goes a long way!

[AlbertV]

Here'e an interesting news flash...

According to Albert Pyun Facebook, producer Mike Leeder has connected the director with Julie Estelle. The Indonesian actress, mostly known for playing Hammer Girl in The Raid 2, has officially been cast as Tun, a secret police agent.

I don't know about you guys, but Pyun's Kickboxer is starting to sound more interesting than the higher budget one. A little Estelle goes a long way!

Tun, according to the plot, is actually the main villain of the film (Hell yeah!). And Albert Pyun did confirm Dennis Chan is returning as well. Shooting however, has been changed to after the Chinese New Year because of scheduling. http://albertpyun.net

[Secret Executioner]

[AlbertV]

Update: Albert Pyun posted on his FB page yesterday. Due to his declining condition and health, shooting has been postponed to Fall and the film will not longer have the the title KICKBOXER but just be called simply CITY OF BLOOD.

[DragonClaws]

Update: Albert Pyun posted on his FB page yesterday. Due to his declining condition and health, shooting has been postponed to Fall and the film will not longer have the the title KICKBOXER but just be called simply CITY OF BLOOD.

Sorry to hear about Pyun's bad health. Love the title change and prefer it to the original.

[DrNgor]

I feel bad about his ill health. He occasionally commented on reviews of his films at the B-Masters Blog, always maintaining a good sense of humor, no matter how much the film was bashed.