Martial arts standout Xie Miao (The Furious) is gearing up for another hard-hitting action project, with the star of The Furious set to headline a new English-language martial arts crime thriller currently in development at Los Angeles-based production company Stars Collective.
The upcoming film will be set in the United States and aims to deliver the gritty, bone-crunching fight sequences that helped establish The Furious as a major draw for action fans. The project is also expected to expand Xie’s international profile, giving the veteran performer an opportunity to showcase his martial arts skills in an English-language production.
Producing the film are Peter Luo (Malignant, Umma), Wayne Wei Jiang (The Meg), and Wei Junzi, whose credits include Eye for an Eye and The Furious. Nancy Xu, co-CEO of Stars Collective, will also produce.
“Xie Miao is the perfect artist to lead this fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled movie, with real physical requirements only a professional of his caliber can perform,” Xu said.
Born in Beijing, Xie began his career as a child actor before establishing himself as a formidable martial artist, earning multiple wushu championship titles. He first gained international recognition through his collaborations with Jet Li, playing his onscreen son in the Hong Kong action classics The New Legend of Shaolin and My Father Is a Hero.
Over the years, Xie has continued building his reputation through martial arts films and television projects, most notably the Eye for an Eye franchise. His latest high-profile outing, The Furious, has further demonstrated his ability to lead an intense, physically demanding action production.
Wei Junzi praised Xie’s work in the film, noting that the new project will build on the actor’s strengths while giving him greater room to develop his character and reach audiences worldwide.
Jiang added that the filmmakers intend to preserve the core appeal of classic martial arts cinema while embracing a more international approach to storytelling and production. The goal, he said, is to create an action film that connects with audiences regardless of language or geography.
The announcement was made during the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents & Film Market. Plot details, the film’s official title, director and additional cast members have yet to be revealed.
Stars Collective has been steadily expanding its international slate since launching in 2020. The company recently acquired Mandarin-language remake rights to the 2024 comedy-thriller Thelma and is developing a feature based on Fortunate Sons: The 120 Chinese Boys Who Came to America, Went to School, and Revolutionized an Ancient Civilization, with Oscar-winning producer Donna Gigliotti attached.
With Xie Miao continuing to gain recognition among international action audiences following The Furious, this upcoming project could mark an important next step in bringing his martial arts talents to a broader English-speaking audience.
SOURCE: Variety