Under the creative direction of renowned director Luc Besson, the new film Warrior’s Gate has made a strong impression on audiences with its unique blend of Asian and European cultures. With an intense storyline, dynamic action sequences, and a vibrant palette of humor, the film is built against the backdrop of ancient Chinese mythology.
From Virtual Worlds to Martial Arts Reality
Living alongside his single mother, who struggles to make ends meet, young Jack Bronson often escapes into the virtual worlds of video games as a means of coping with reality. As a result, whenever he has any free time, Jack seeks out online games where he can transform into a mysterious and skilled character, represented as a dark-clad warrior. One day, Mr. Zhang, a merchant who often visits Jack’s neighborhood after school, introduces him to a mysterious artifact belonging to his family: a jade pendant shaped like a traditional Chinese dragon. Unbeknownst to Jack, this enchanted pendant is none other than the “Warrior’s Gate,” a portal that connects him to ancient China.
As a courageous young man, Jack faces numerous challenges, transforming from a mere gamer into a formidable martial artist. He must learn the necessary skills from the game to become a true warrior and take on the challenges this new world presents. This experience ultimately brings him closer to his roots and helps him navigate the difficulties he faces in the real world.
The Film’s Rich Collaboration in Martial Arts
First and foremost, the success of Warrior’s Gate can be attributed to director Matthias Hoene. He enthusiastically shared about his collaboration with screenwriter Luc Besson this time: “From a young age, I have been passionate about judo and ninjutsu. That’s why I’ve always hoped to direct a movie centered on martial arts. When Luc Besson sent me the script for Warrior’s Gate, I immediately recognized that the opportunity I had been waiting for had finally arrived.”
Director Matthias Hoene feels fortunate to have selected talented actors to contribute to WARRIOR’S GATE. The film features actors such as Uriah Shelton, the beautiful actress Nghê Ni, Triệu Hữu Đình, Dave Bautista, Sienna Guillory, and Ngô Trấn Vũ…
Leading the cast is actor Uriah Shelton, best known for his role as Joshua Matthews in “Girl Meets World,” who plays Jack. With charm and humility, Jack serves as a “big brother” figure to the younger actors. Surprisingly, Shelton has been practicing martial arts since he was young and won the state Taekwondo championship in California back in 2006. The young actor shared: “I have trained in Taekwondo, Muay Thai, MMA, and Wushu. All these martial arts have unique characteristics. I used to be a martial arts instructor for a long time, but this is the first time I have had the opportunity to showcase my skills in a film. This is a huge opportunity for me.”
Actor Triệu Hữu Đình plays the role of Triệu Tướng Quân. The director of Warrior’s Gate feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside the talented star Đài Loan. He said: “Triệu Tướng Quân is a strong and loyal warrior who has dedicated his life to protect the future of China. He is a formidable warrior, fighting for a noble cause. Triệu’s character embodies humor and flexibility, and that’s what Jack will strive to embody.”
Looking at the cast, it is hard to ignore the name of the MMA fighter and actor Dave Bautista, who has won the world championship title six times. Bautista is no stranger to audiences with films like Guardians of the Galaxy, Spectre, Riddick, and The Man With the Iron Fist. There’s no one more suitable for the role of the villainous character Arun in Warrior’s Gate than Dave Bautista. Reflecting on his character, Bautista said: “Arun is a villainous character but one that is surprisingly humorous. I find that this is a unique personality trait, and it’s what makes me feel drawn to this character – an exceedingly evil yet charming figure.”
Finally, the standout highlight of the film is the character Princess Tô Lâm, portrayed by actress Nghê Ni, who previously shone in the film Tháng Năm Với Vã. She has successfully embodied the enchanting role of Princess Tô Lâm. Director Hoene did not hesitate to praise Nghê Ni with the words: “Beautiful and talented, I feel incredibly honored to work with her on this project.”
