Excited
Well, not exactly — CNN released a list of the most anticipated movies in 2009 earlier this week and surprisingly there are many Asian actors and actresses that are apart of many of these movies. Now, I’ll ignore the fact that these movies are apparently most anticipated by geeks — because you know us Asians get our panties all knotted up the wrong way when Asian and geek is mentioned in the same sentence — but the fact that there are Asians that proliferate this list is somewhat profound, especially in the “Asians-cannot-star-in-movies-unless-they-do-kungfu-or-get-saved-by-white-man” mentality that exist in Hollywood today. I’ll just point out a few notable people:
MOST TO GAIN:
Gianna Jun – The list starts off with Ji-Hyun Jeon or Gianna Jun as she likes to be known who is the star of the Blood: The Last Vampire, which is at #3 on the list. Whether or not she actually speaks in this role or she is just regulated to slicing up vampires is yet to be known. (Here is a Japanese Shampoo commercial she was in where she speaks in English; hopefully her English has improved a bit more in the two years since) Nor am I confident in the artistic integrity of this movie; but more times than not these kind of movies that have a cult following tend to be at the very least, decent, so I’ll reserve judgment on that.
Many people will find her character extremely one dimensional and shallow. True. And although slaying vampires is not far removed from high-kicks and karate-chops, Gianna Jun is extremely talented and beautiful, and beautiful in the “Asian standards of beauty” sense, and not the Western idea of big tits and ass sense, so anytime an Asian women like that can star in a movie its a positive in my book.
Daniel Henney – The second person I am putting as “most to gain” would be Korean-American actor Daniel Henney. His new movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a sure-fire blockbuster hit, not only having the target reach of geeks but the average moviegoer as well. Henney in the official Movie trailer has significant face time, although he only says one line (watch trailer below). With the “guaranteed-hit” nature of this film combined with the fact he is actually fluent in English being raised in America and his God given good looks, Daniel Henney may be the next big thing depending on the significance of his role in the movie. Again, the self-proclaimed Asian-American activists will complain that Daniel Henney is in fact only half Asian and he cannot even speak Korean fluently AND the the fact that his very western facial features that make him attractive to Hollywood. Although those facts are true, don’t mistake Henney for being white-washed; he started his acting career in Korea, starred in Korean dramas and movies and is very aware, respectful, and knowledgeable about Korean culture — a positive in my book. Baby steps, people, baby steps.
MOST TO LOSE:
Kristin Kreuk — Ill keep it short and sweet: video game adaptations to movies SUCK ASS 9 out of 10 times. And Kristen Kreuk will be the lead in the film Streetfighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. What are some notable video game to movie adaptations?
Street Fighter: SUCKED
Mortal Combat: SUCKED, although this did relatively well at the box-office
BloodRayne: did not see, but im guessing it SUCKED
DOA: Dead or Alive: NO COMMENT
Super Mario Bros: *BARFS*
Double Dragon: …you get the point.
Keep Kreuk’s future career in your prayers.
NEITHER HERE NOR THERE
John Cho – Lower down on the list at #7 is Star Trek XI, which stars (should I use that term loosely?) John Cho. Not to say this role is not significant but Cho is already an established actor in Hollywood, but important to note that he is playing Hikaru Sulu, a role that George Takei made famous. Being that Takei was the first major Asian American to have a role in a non-stereotypical role in Hollywood its seems also fitting that John Cho, who is somewhat of a Hollywood stereotype-breaker himself, plays the exact same character. I’m just relieved they didn’t decide last minute to change Sulu’s ethnicity to a white guy, not that stuff like that ever happens in good old Hollywood.
On a lighter note: as a Star Wars geek, I want to have prejudice against this movie, but the fact the J.J. Abrams produced this film I shall reserve judgment once again.
Byung-Hun Lee – the Korean James Dean, Byung-Hun Lee will be playing Storm Shadow in G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra. Now that you know that fact, lets play a game: it’s called, “Find-The-Korean-In-The-Movie-Poster:”
Can’t find him? He’s the white guy in the poster. No seriously, he’s the white guy. I mean the REALLY white guy. The guy with the white mask and ninja swords. Yup.
I think this poster may be a metaphor for his role in the movie, unfortunately.
WAIT, YOU WERE IN THAT MOVIE?
Joon-hyung Park – Joon Park will play Yamcha in Dragonball Evolution Apparently, it’s a pretty significant role but I do not see much potential in it. If you dont know who Joon Park, is you probably saw him in Speed Racer as a Yakuza Driver; You had to have watched it very carefully cause he was only in it for about 15 seconds. Oh wait, you didn’t watch Speed Racer? Oh. Sorry.
All in all, I think all the movies in this list have their faults, but I will be rooting for all of them. Even though CNN lists these movies as most anticipated by “geeks”, we all know the famous Genghis Khan quote: “First you conquer the geeks, then the WORLD!” (Actually, I think it was Napoleon who said that; or was it Pinky from Pinky and the Brain?)
Anywho, let us all hope they are successful this year.
How does this post make you feel?
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
NOTE: 8Asians.com is a community, and we thank you for being a part of it. While we welcome and appreciate differences in opinion, if you're rude or you're promoting spam, we have a right to edit or delete your comment. Read our comment policy for more information.
If you see a comment that violates the 8Asians.com comment policy, you may flag the comment by mousing over the comment and clicking "FLAG."
Regarding Storm Shadow: it should be noted that Storm Shadow was pretty much THE coolest G.I. Joe character when we were kids, with the sole exception of his black-suited mute good-guy counterpart Snake-Eyes (to his right in the poster). At this point I'd lay even odds that the two of them will have more prominence in the film than the poster would suggest. And considering that Snake-Eyes is horribly disfigured under his mask, Storm Shadow's is likely to be the only face we see (except perhaps in flashback). So if you can get past the fact that he is at best a ninja mercenary working for the action figure world's most ruthless terrorist organization, Storm Shadow is in theory one of the two best roles in the film.
Regarding Storm Shadow: it should be noted that Storm Shadow was pretty much THE coolest G.I. Joe character when we were kids, with the sole exception of his black-suited mute good-guy counterpart Snake-Eyes (to his right in the poster). At this point I'd lay even odds that the two of them will have more prominence in the film than the poster would suggest. And considering that Snake-Eyes is horribly disfigured under his mask, Storm Shadow's is likely to be the only face we see (except perhaps in flashback). So if you can get past the fact that he is at best a ninja mercenary working for the action figure world's most ruthless terrorist organization, Storm Shadow is in theory one of the two best roles in the film.
@CaliStunna: Thanks for the Cung Le pointer! Looks like he is playing Martial Law in the Tekken movie. A lot of people don't seem to know him, especially outside of the Bay Area, but he is an awesome fighter and a trainer too! He broke Frank Shamrock's arm in an MMA match, and I have seen him totally own people in Sanshou., During The Ultimate Fighter finals show, announcer Joe Rogan was saying that Anthony Johnson was learning striking with Cung Le and then bang! Johnson knocked out Kevin Burns with a head kick. I was in the gym with a Cung Le trained woman who were doing heavy bag work. She was hitting the bag so hard that entire gym was shaking.
@CaliStunna: Thanks for the Cung Le pointer! Looks like he is playing Martial Law in the Tekken movie. A lot of people don't seem to know him, especially outside of the Bay Area, but he is an awesome fighter and a trainer too! He broke Frank Shamrock's arm in an MMA match, and I have seen him totally own people in Sanshou., During The Ultimate Fighter finals show, announcer Joe Rogan was saying that Anthony Johnson was learning striking with Cung Le and then bang! Johnson knocked out Kevin Burns with a head kick. I was in the gym with a Cung Le trained woman who were doing heavy bag work. She was hitting the bag so hard that entire gym was shaking.
Gianna Jun? What an ODD name.
Daniel Henney = yumminess
Gianna Jun? What an ODD name.
Daniel Henney = yumminess
CaliStunna-
I tried to shift the focus more on newcomers...
and by coincidence most of them are Korean...
only non-newcomer I mentioned was John Cho and the only reason I mentioned him is because as I wrote, the symbolism of the role he is playing.
as for the whole Dragonball-Z thing,
I guessed you missed the sarcasm in me mentioning Joon Park...
its a microcosm of how i feel about the film...
and i dont think Jamie Chung is worth mentioning...
she has as much potential as the blister on the bottom of my foot...
CaliStunna-
I tried to shift the focus more on newcomers...
and by coincidence most of them are Korean...
only non-newcomer I mentioned was John Cho and the only reason I mentioned him is because as I wrote, the symbolism of the role he is playing.
as for the whole Dragonball-Z thing,
I guessed you missed the sarcasm in me mentioning Joon Park...
its a microcosm of how i feel about the film...
and i dont think Jamie Chung is worth mentioning...
she has as much potential as the blister on the bottom of my foot...
why yes I did Jun...
Like I said that's why I pointed out how I noticed you just pointed out one Korean from the Dragonball movie, which in fact has more Asians casted in that movie. I like how you point out a MAJOR MEDIA OUTLOOK in the United States, but how did u miss one of the more MAJOR ROLES in Dragonball? Jamie Chung, she plays BULMA and Chow Yun Phat plays Master ROSHI.
I was actually referring to your title, "ASIANS take over in Hollywood" and wanted to add to that with more movies and roles. I'm not exactly sure if the roles that the Asians were casted in merits the title of "ASIANS take over in Hollywood"...how many of them besides Kristin Kreuk are going to receive the lead role? Also wanted to note there are more than just "Koreans" receiving roles in these movies.
I also agree with Ben that Silent Hill and Resident Evil were good movies. I also personally enjoyed Mortal "Kombat" as well, and that's probably why it had success in the box office because many fans enjoyed the movie. There was supposed to be a part 3, but I guess plans wee never worked out. Oh ya and Tomb Raider, I mean sure Angelina Jolie was in it...but I liked the movie too, both of them.
And I thank you for letting me know I can write a guest post here on 8Asians, which I've already discussed with Ernie.
why yes I did Jun...
Like I said that's why I pointed out how I noticed you just pointed out one Korean from the Dragonball movie, which in fact has more Asians casted in that movie. I like how you point out a MAJOR MEDIA OUTLOOK in the United States, but how did u miss one of the more MAJOR ROLES in Dragonball? Jamie Chung, she plays BULMA and Chow Yun Phat plays Master ROSHI.
I was actually referring to your title, "ASIANS take over in Hollywood" and wanted to add to that with more movies and roles. I'm not exactly sure if the roles that the Asians were casted in merits the title of "ASIANS take over in Hollywood"...how many of them besides Kristin Kreuk are going to receive the lead role? Also wanted to note there are more than just "Koreans" receiving roles in these movies.
I also agree with Ben that Silent Hill and Resident Evil were good movies. I also personally enjoyed Mortal "Kombat" as well, and that's probably why it had success in the box office because many fans enjoyed the movie. There was supposed to be a part 3, but I guess plans wee never worked out. Oh ya and Tomb Raider, I mean sure Angelina Jolie was in it...but I liked the movie too, both of them.
And I thank you for letting me know I can write a guest post here on 8Asians, which I've already discussed with Ernie.
CaliStunna-
did you take a look at the list by CNN at all?
because that was the basis of my whole post...
looking at the effort you put into your comment and if you think it is important to highlight other Asian roles that are not as "highly anticipated" as the ones on CNN's list, then you are more than welcome to write a guest post here on 8Asians...
...like you said im sure there are many other Asian-Americans that have projects on the upcoming year but it its interesting to see a MAJOR MEDIA OUTLOOK here in the States outlook on major movies with significant Asian involvment...
CaliStunna-
did you take a look at the list by CNN at all?
because that was the basis of my whole post...
looking at the effort you put into your comment and if you think it is important to highlight other Asian roles that are not as "highly anticipated" as the ones on CNN's list, then you are more than welcome to write a guest post here on 8Asians...
...like you said im sure there are many other Asian-Americans that have projects on the upcoming year but it its interesting to see a MAJOR MEDIA OUTLOOK here in the States outlook on major movies with significant Asian involvment...
"Asian takeover in Hollywood?" More like "Korean takeover in Hollywood!" LOL, I mean anyone else notice...that "JUN" just happens to be Korean and most of the people he lists, if not all, are of Korean descent!?
But comes to show, had you done your research you wouldn't have failed to notice the one Korean with a major role....the one Korean who was featured in Time Magazine and Stephen Colbert talks about!
RAIN in NINJA Ninja Assassin! and that movie is jam packed with Asians, including more Koreans. Sung Kang and Rick Yune! It's supposed to be released sometime in 2009, but who knows if it gets postponed.
Sung Kang will also be returning in another Fast & The Furious movie, directed again by Justin Lin! Comeon man...FAST & THE FURIOUS? if you're going to make fun of Asians, you have to at least add the ones who love the import cars.
I also like how you basically just missed most of the actors/actresses from Dragonball:Evolution, and just happened to pick one Korean one. Since that movie has other Asians casted, except for the lead role of course =). There's one I look forward to and that's Japanese actress by the name of Eriko Tamura.
Speaking of Japanese, there's also George Takei. He's going to be in a film called "American Summer".
Then there's the hot and sexy Lina So whose going to get her small roles in several movies. Who cares if she can't act right? She's HOT!
Gran Torino is also schedueled to be a wide release this month (even though it did release in select theaters previously), and it's starring Clint Eastwood and a bunch of Hmong people. Some of you are probably going to ask, what the hell is Hmong? just google it, but yes their Asian.
Last but not least, I like how you mentioned the movies based on video games. Well there's also one more movie that's possibly might be releasing in 2009, perhaps sometime in September-October....Guess what it is?...
TEKKEN! and even though it might suck or not, there's quite a few Asians casted in that movie...one of them is even going to be CUNG LE! ...I mean CUNG LE????....oh yes, he's been trying to make it big in the movies too! I mean besides Tila Tequila, how many other people of Vietnamese descent can you mention? but then again you only mentioned mostly KOreans...so it's all good!
and there's other movies, but I can think of them right now.
"Asian takeover in Hollywood?" More like "Korean takeover in Hollywood!" LOL, I mean anyone else notice...that "JUN" just happens to be Korean and most of the people he lists, if not all, are of Korean descent!?
But comes to show, had you done your research you wouldn't have failed to notice the one Korean with a major role....the one Korean who was featured in Time Magazine and Stephen Colbert talks about!
RAIN in NINJA Ninja Assassin! and that movie is jam packed with Asians, including more Koreans. Sung Kang and Rick Yune! It's supposed to be released sometime in 2009, but who knows if it gets postponed.
Sung Kang will also be returning in another Fast & The Furious movie, directed again by Justin Lin! Comeon man...FAST & THE FURIOUS? if you're going to make fun of Asians, you have to at least add the ones who love the import cars.
I also like how you basically just missed most of the actors/actresses from Dragonball:Evolution, and just happened to pick one Korean one. Since that movie has other Asians casted, except for the lead role of course =). There's one I look forward to and that's Japanese actress by the name of Eriko Tamura.
Speaking of Japanese, there's also George Takei. He's going to be in a film called "American Summer".
Then there's the hot and sexy Lina So whose going to get her small roles in several movies. Who cares if she can't act right? She's HOT!
Gran Torino is also schedueled to be a wide release this month (even though it did release in select theaters previously), and it's starring Clint Eastwood and a bunch of Hmong people. Some of you are probably going to ask, what the hell is Hmong? just google it, but yes their Asian.
Last but not least, I like how you mentioned the movies based on video games. Well there's also one more movie that's possibly might be releasing in 2009, perhaps sometime in September-October....Guess what it is?...
TEKKEN! and even though it might suck or not, there's quite a few Asians casted in that movie...one of them is even going to be CUNG LE! ...I mean CUNG LE????....oh yes, he's been trying to make it big in the movies too! I mean besides Tila Tequila, how many other people of Vietnamese descent can you mention? but then again you only mentioned mostly KOreans...so it's all good!
and there's other movies, but I can think of them right now.
Jackie Chan plays several Streetfighter characters - including Chun Li - in City Hunter. It's pretty funny.
Jackie Chan plays several Streetfighter characters - including Chun Li - in City Hunter. It's pretty funny.
I'll reserve judgment on the StreetFighter film till I see it - the trailer looked interesting and the cast alone is interesting enough.
And Ben's right ... I'll watch XMen just for Jackman and Henney, rowr.
I'll reserve judgment on the StreetFighter film till I see it - the trailer looked interesting and the cast alone is interesting enough.
And Ben's right ... I'll watch XMen just for Jackman and Henney, rowr.
Not all game to movie adaptations were bad. Personally I found that the Resident Evil series is pretty good, and so was Silent Hill. There's going to be a live-action Metal Gear Solid also. I'll admit the ones above were pretty terrible, and any of the ones directed by Uwe Boll were all bad.
Dragonball and Streetfighter are probably sure bombs, and I had high hopes for Wolverine but after seeing the trailer I find that it looks pretty cheesy and doesn't follow the comic story arc very well it seems. Probably will still be a hit based on fangirls going to see Henney and Jackman.
Not all game to movie adaptations were bad. Personally I found that the Resident Evil series is pretty good, and so was Silent Hill. There's going to be a live-action Metal Gear Solid also. I'll admit the ones above were pretty terrible, and any of the ones directed by Uwe Boll were all bad.
Dragonball and Streetfighter are probably sure bombs, and I had high hopes for Wolverine but after seeing the trailer I find that it looks pretty cheesy and doesn't follow the comic story arc very well it seems. Probably will still be a hit based on fangirls going to see Henney and Jackman.
#5 Dragonball: Evolution, Jamie Chung from Real World. Personally I think the movie is going to bomb like those video game movies, but I wish her the best even though I'm not a fan.
#5 Dragonball: Evolution, Jamie Chung from Real World. Personally I think the movie is going to bomb like those video game movies, but I wish her the best even though I'm not a fan.
Trackbacks
Custom Search
Recent Posts
- Chinese New Year Lanterns
- Is Kim Jong Un Dead? Assassination Rumors Hit the Internet
- Help Fight Stereoptypes With Asian Crew Clothing
- Deftones’ Chi Cheng Wakes Up From His 3-Year Coma
- SXSW 2012 Has a Nice Handful of Asian Movies
- Woman In China Gives Birth To 15 Lb Baby
- Naruto & Dragonball Now Available On Barnes & Noble Nook
Recent Comments
- : @whereisthelove @Biffer It's not that I'm turning it into a tirade against Blacks but folks seem to be on a lovely Kumbaya trip thinking that... – What if Jeremy Lin Weren't Asian?
- : @PhucDat You've obviously never heard of the "no asians, no fats, no fems" that's commonly referenced in the gay community. It's very frustrating and makes... – Asian Men Have The Highest Salary
- : @Biffer I find it interesting how you've managed to transform this great story into launching an attack against african- americans. It's quite offensive for you,as... – What if Jeremy Lin Weren't Asian?
- : This whole article was kinda frustrating and ridiculous. "And maybe this will help put a little more desirability for Asian males in the dating pool."... – Asian Men Have The Highest Salary
- : while it was pretty hilarious, it's a little disconcerting that most of the people who responded didn't use spellcheck. – What I Learned From Posting A Dragon Lady Personal Ad
APA Events
Feb 16: Adam WarRock and Kirby Krackle: West Cost Tour Dates!!!
Feb 16: (New York, NY) Amar Chitra Katha: Monica Ferrell, Chitra Ganesh, Keshni Kashyap, and Himanshu “Heems” Suri of Das Racist
Feb 17: (Los Angeles, CA) All My Sons
Feb 18: (Stanford, CA) Stanford’s 16th Listen to the Silence Conference- Feb 18: (San Francisco, CA) NAAAP-SF Lunar New Year Gala 2012
Feb 25: (Los Angeles, CA) Past Present I Future Imperatives: Queer Space Time
Mar 3: (New York, NY) Vong Pak’s ‘Electric Shaman’ Concert
Apr 30: (Sacramento, CA) California Asian Pacific Islander Policy Summit 2012: iAdvocate
Staff and Contributors
- Editors
- Ernie Hsiung - Founder, Editor-in-Chief
- Moye Ishimoto - Co-Editor, Editorial
- Joz Wang - Co-Editor, PR & APA Outreach
[...] written up – albeit with the wrong person’s photo — for being in Speed Racer. And with Daniel Henney having a role in the much anticipated movie, Wolverine, Korean stars are getting more exposure than they have in a [...]
[...] I do have to give Channing Tatum props for training with Cung Le. 8 Asians had discussions about Cung Le becoming an emerging Asian-American star, and he seems to be just that, starring as Marshall Law in the [...]
[...] I do have to give Channing Tatum props for training with Cung Le. 8 Asians had discussions about Cung Le becoming an emerging Asian-American star, and he seems to be just that, starring as Marshall Law in the [...]