Tony Jaa Hits the States. Hollywood Next?

Tony Jaa visited San Francisco last week and New York this week to promote his film "The Protector" (aka “Tom Yum Goong”) which opens nationwide in theaters Sept. 8^th. 

In San Francisco on August 16^th, he chose the World Team USA Gym to give autographs and a 15-minute martial arts demonstration to excited fans. See video excerpt. In New York shortly after, he chose a few other places to make appearances including a Chinatown gym and the Museum of the Moving Image. At the latter (on August 20^th) he gave another free martial arts demonstration as well as a full preview screening of the film (courtesy of the Weinstein Company).

At 30 years old, Jaa has risen to international acclaim in a relatively short time mostly due to the smash-hit Ong Bak-Muay Thai Warrior (2003). He now intends to put out more films showcasing his unique talents. 

As for comparisons with Jet Li, Jackie Chan and even Bruce Lee, Jaa is quick to mention the three as inspirations. "With Bruce Lee, it's the strength and power,'' Jaa remarked through an interpreter at a San Francisco interview last week. “With Jet Li, it's the grace. With Jackie Chan, it's the acrobatics. But I use Muay Thai. I work without wires. It's a great source of pride to see what I do on film and say, `I did it all myself.'” 

Think Tony Jaa is ready to take on Hollywood? Director Brett Ratner does. He recently mentioned in interviews that he would love to have Tony Jaa in Rush Hour 3. After calling and discussing with Jaa’s manager, it seemed the timing would present a conflict. Jaa will be both directing and starring in his next project, the sequel to Ong Bak, at around the same time Rush Hour 3 is filming.

“The Protector” will open in more than 1,000 theaters for the opening week of the film. Ong-Bak opened in just 300 theaters last year. “The Protector” will be the highest record of a Thai film in US theaters. See official "The Protector" website here.