Lionsgate has closed a deal for worldwide rights to “The Furious,” the martial arts thriller that became the breakout hit of this year’s Toronto Film Festival’s Midnight Madness section. The film subsequently played at the Busan International Film Festival.
The studio is targeting a 2026 theatrical bow for the film. The pact excludes Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Bill Kong, whose producing credits include “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Hero,” and “House of Flying Daggers,” is behind the project. Kong teamed with XYZ Films early in development – the company that produced “The Raid” franchise – with the goal of crafting the definitive martial arts action pic of the past decade.
The film harks back to Hong Kong action cinema’s golden age, spotlighting authentic martial arts and hand-to-hand combat performed by an international roster of elite fighters. The story centers on Wang Wei, a humble tradesman forced into a violent criminal underworld after his daughter Rainy is kidnapped. He teams with Navin, a journalist with a troubled past, to battle their way through an international crime syndicate.
Veteran action choreographer Kenji Tanigaki makes his feature directorial bow with the film. His choreography credits include “Rurouni Kenshin” and “Snake Eyes.” Tanigaki is also attached to work with Donnie Yen as the actor returns to his Caine character for Lionsgate. Mak Tin Shu, Lei Zhilong, Shum Kwan Sin, and Frank Hui penned the script.
Kong produced via Edko Films Ltd. with Hui and Shan Tam. XYZ Films’ Nate Bolotin, Todd Brown, Maxime Cottray, Nick Spicer, and Aram Tertzakian exec produced alongside Michael J. Werner and Xu Tianfu.
The cast includes Xie Miao, Joe Taslim (“The Raid”), Yang Enyou, Brian Le, Yayan Ruhian (“John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum”), Jija Yanin (“Chocolate”), Joey Iwanaga, Sahajak Boonthanakit, and Manatsanun Phanlerdwongsakul.
Brandon Hill negotiated for Lionsgate, with Pip Ngo repping XYZ Films and Michael J. Werner handling the deal for Edko Films and producers. Edko Films financed the production and will release day-and-date with Lionsgate in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao in 2026.
“I am thrilled that Lionsgate has embraced ‘The Furious,’” said Kong. “I believe they are the best company to handle this picture. I am looking forward to working closely with them.”
“There’s nothing more exciting than having ‘The Furious’ distributed by Lionsgate — it means that great action cinema will reach audiences in the best possible way. The adventure of ‘The Furious’ is just about to begin, and I can’t wait for audiences around the world to jump on this ride — to be thrilled, to hold their breath, and to roar with excitement.” said Tanigaki.
Lauren Bixby, executive VP and co-head, acquisitions and co-productions for the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, added: “We have had tremendous success with several films from the TIFF Midnight Madness programming – including ‘Sisu’ and ‘The Blackening’ – in recent years, and we were similarly blown away by ‘The Furious.’ This movie redefines martial arts action – it’s incredibly entertaining and engrossing, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences next year.”
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