Tony Jaa!

[Bagua8]

This guy is the new Bruce Lee. He uses no stunt doubles or strings. Does all of his own stunts. Extras risk their live to shoot scenes 'cause he really hits them during the fights. He's a master in muay thai, but also experienced in wushu.

[Kristoffer]

uhmm. no. hes an actor. acting as a good muay thai practicioner. nothing else

[PangQuan]

does he have no extensive muay thai training?

you can verify this?

[Kristoffer]

I'm sure he has training in muay thai. But who doesnt? I've never heard of any fight record though, and describing him as "a master in muay thai" seems a bit odd

No doubt an entertaining actor though. Very good acrobat.

[jethro]

He knows movie fu, and is pretty dam good at it.

He can pull all of those moves off because he used to watch kung fu movies and wanted to become the best so he trained hard all day every day.

[doug maverick]

thou he trained in several defferent thai arts including wushu, thai sword and several other martial arts. he just makes contact with his stunt guys he doesn't really hit them its fifty fifty he touchs them they sell the hit, simple. is he the new bruce no. the new jackie maybe. you see cause bruce had something tony doesn't and probably never will. acting chops, besides i don't think tony will make it as an action star in america not because he can't do action ofcourse he can but his voice is so high pitched and screachy and he's something of a one trick pony when comes to the fights he needs to do something fresh because tom young gong was ong back with weaker storyline.

[NJM]

This guy is the new Bruce Lee. He uses no stunt doubles or strings. Does all of his own stunts. Extras risk their live to shoot scenes 'cause he really hits them during the fights. He's a master in muay thai, but also experienced in wushu.

WRONG!

TBH.

[B-Rad]

Early life

Born in the Surin Province of the Isan region of Thailand. Jaa grew up in a rural area and watched films by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li at temple fairs. While doing chores or playing with friends, he would imitate the martial arts moves he had seen in the films. He would practice in his father's rice paddy or, when bathing the family's elephants, he would somersault off their backs into the river.

"What they did was so beautiful, so heroic. I wanted to do it, too," Jaa told Time in a 2004 interview. "I practiced until I could do the move exactly as I had seen the masters do it."[1]

At age 15, he looked up Panna Rittikrai, begging the veteran Thai stuntman and action-film director to take him on as a protege. Panna instructed Jaa to attend Maha Sarakham College of Physical Education in Maha Sarakham Province.

First films

He initially worked as a stuntman on Panna's team, Muay Thai Stunt, appearing in many of Panna's films. He doubled for Sammo Hung when the martial-arts actor made a commercial for an energy drink that required him to grasp an elephant's tusks and somersault onto the pachyderm's back.[2] He also appeared in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, as a stunt double for Robin Shou (Liu Kang), and was a stunt double in the Thai television series Insee Daeng (Red Eagle).[3]

Together, Panna and Jaa developed an interest in Muay Boran, an ancient style of Muay Thai and worked and trained for six years at the art with the intention of developing a film around it. Eventually they were able to put together a short film showing what Jaa could do. One of the people they showed it to was producer-director Prachya Pinkaew, who was duly impressed.

This led to Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (องค์บาก) in 2003, Jaa's break-out role as a leading man. Jaa did all the stunts without mechanical assistance or computer-generated effects and it showcased his style of extreme acrobatics and speedy, dance-like moves. Injuries suffered in the filming included a ligament and a sprained ankle. One scene in the film involved fighting with another actor while his own trousers were on fire. "I actually got burned," he said in a 2005 interview. "I really had to concentrate because once my pants were on fire the flames spread upwards very fast and burnt my eyebrows, my eyelashes and my nose. Then we had to do a couple more takes to get it right."[4].

With the film, he was hailed as Asia's next martial-arts film superstar. And as Jaa has gained popularity, older films he made with Panna began to be released on DVD and VCD and become available internationally. These include Spirited Killer and Mission Hunter 2.

Rise to fame
Tony Jaa and his mentor, Panna Rittikrai, check the playback on the Sydney, Australia location of Tom-Yum-Goong.
Tony Jaa and his mentor, Panna Rittikrai, check the playback on the Sydney, Australia location of Tom-Yum-Goong.

His second major movie was Tom-Yum-Goong (ต้มยำกุ้ง; also the name of a hot and sour soup, Tom yum kung (ต้มยำกุ้ง)). This movie enjoyed even greater success in Thailand and Hong Kong than Ong-Bak when released, and was subsequently picked up for release in the United States by the Weinstein Company, which retitled the film as The Protector.

As he did to promote the release of Ong-Bak, Jaa was again busy travelling the world to promote The Protector. In August 2006, he was in New York to promote the US release of The Protector, including an appearance at the Museum of the Moving Image.[5]

Next projects

Tony's name is often included on the "wish lists" of various directors. An early rumor was that he was to be the villain in Live Free or Die Hard – gossip that he was quick to deny.

Sahamongkol Film International advertised at film markets that his third film would be called Sword or Dab Atamas,[6] but then in March 2006 it was reported that there would be a sequel to Ong-Bak, Ong-Bak 2. With Tony both directing and starring, it started production in fall 2006 and will be released in late 2007.[7][8][9]

His films captured the attention of his hero, Jackie Chan, who asked director Brett Ratner to cast Tony in Rush Hour 3. "I gave the director videos of Tony Jaa because I think Tony Jaa is the most well-rounded of all action stars," Chan told the Associated Press. "The director liked him a lot."[10] However, Tony said he'd be unable to participate because of scheduling conflicts with the shooting of Ong-Bak 2.[11][12]

In Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior there is a spray-painted message in the background in one scene that says "Hi Spielberg, let['s] do it together", which states Tony Jaa's wish to work with Steven Spielberg. Tony has further stated a desire to be cast in the upcoming Indiana Jones 4 sequel. [13]

Additionally, veteran Hong Kong martial arts coordinator Lau Kar-leung has mentioned Tony as someone he'd like to work with.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Jaa

[jethro]

That is some good information B-Rad, I just wish that it was from a credible website.

[KungfuCasting]

Donnie Yen is the new bruce lee.

[MasterKiller]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BognyJInkXI

[gwa sow]

that was a cool video. i saw that a while ago. when ong bak came out they had a link to it on the movie website.

[GeneChing]

He's surprisingly humble. I've seen him do one of these demos live. It's pretty cool stuff.

The guy I want to meet is Panna Rittikrai. BTW, anyone seen Dynamite Warrior yet? I did. I'll post a review as soon as I get around to it.

[GeneChing]

Jaa remains an inspiration to the Thai people.

Striking impressions: Exhibition explores Tony Jaa’s softer side
Thirteen artists created works inspired by the martial arts star as part of the first instalment of an exhibition looking at modern Thai icons. The action hero spoke to 'Brunch' about artistic expression, national pride and how he'll never forget his humble roots

Published: 11/11/2012 at 02:50 AM
Newspaper section: Brunch

Elephants aplenty. Bunnies, gorillas and cartoon caricatures. Flying kicks, elbow attacks, headbands and bandaged wrists, fierce martial arts poses or more pensive representations.


STRIKE A POSE: From far left, ‘Warrior Face’ by Rizing Sun (Peerapan Nunthachai), ‘Spirit of Jaa’ by Zing (Peerapong Uthaipan) and ‘Chang’ by Reii (Yipthida Wichyanandh).

This was how Ja Panom, or Tony Jaa in the West, was depicted by 13 contemporary artists in "Pride of the Nation", an exhibition illustrating the action film star's importance to Thai popular culture. In this first instalment of a seven-part series by Artery Post-Modern Gallery exploring national icons through art, elephants featured particularly prominently. They were sprayed on plywood, painted in oils on canvas and in many other combinations of media.

Tony Jaa is inextricably linked with pachyderms, from his family background to many of his film roles and even action stunts. Even his catchphrase in the Thai martial arts action hit Tom Yum Goong was "Where the hell is my elephant?"

In sitting down with Brunch at the exhibition opening, the 36 year old explains the connection.


MAKING AN IMPACT: Right, ‘Tony Jaa’ by Dale Horgan.

"I come from Surin. My family has always been involved with elephants. We used to capture elephants from the wild to train them to be used in labour work, but we don't do that any more."

While elephant training is no longer the family business, Jaa is still involved in the animals' care. He helped establish a museum and a foundation to cremate deceased elephants and established a graveyard for them at Wat Pa A-Jiang in Surin, as well as the Sala Erawan there.

"This is probably the only place in the world that has elephant funerals," he says. "And it's a very educational temple that shows you how elephants and humans coexist."

The variety of styles, media and nationalities of the exhibition were represented by Alex Face (Patcharapon Tangruen), AMP (Alongkorn Makphol), Bon (Danaiphat Lersputtitrakan), Dale Horgan, May (Athisa Busayankanist), Reii (Yipthida Wichyanandh), Rizing Sun (Peerapan Nunthachai), Zing (Peerapong Uthaipan), Tabunstudio (Chaiwat S), Tikky Waw (Pichet Rujivararat), Cece Nobre, Matt Diamond and Satoshi Yoshioka.

"It's very interesting how all 13 artists perceive me," Jaa says. "Most often I am seen as a tough fighter, always angry and throwing punches, but like everyone else I also have different sides that can be softer and more spiritual. I like most of the pictures here, and they represent who I am very well.

"We talked about this project, and I talked about myself a little bit and the artists worked from there.

"They see me as a hero because I do Thai boxing and I star in several movies that are all about preserving our cultures and values _ like elephants. And also, especially after talking to them and telling them about my life, they admire how I fought my way up and never gave up pursuing my dream. No matter how much I achieve today, I'll never forget my humble beginnings and the way it used to be."

Though known for action-intensive martial arts films such as Ong-Bak and its two sequels _ or prequels, rather, which he co-directed and co-wrote himself _ at the exhibition he gave a performance of conceptual dance little related to his stunt work. While it featured a few flips and fight poses, it more closely resembled experimental dance theatre than martial arts.

``It's great to express different sides of me to the public,'' Jaa says, ``and this is something totally different from acting and stunt work. I've done a performance like this before at the Supannahong Awards [Thai National Film Association Awards], but this time it was more intense, as the exhibition is all around me and I was very inspired after seeing the works and talking to the artists.''


ART ATTACK: Clockwise from right, artists participating in the Tony Jaa ‘Pride of the Nation’ exhibition, a video by artist Bon (Danaiphat Lersputtitrakan), a work by Alex Face (Patcharapon Tangruen), ‘Mighty Jaa’ by AMP (Alongkorn Makphol) and another creation inspired by Tony Jaa.

The street dance was well received, and fit in with his personal notion of Thai-ness, further explored by the painters in the exhibition. The ``Pride of the Nation'' series looks at film stars, musicians or other popular figures from the perspective of popular culture (the next subject will be Toon Bodyslam) and is part of a push to promote a national identity that is more diversified as well as up to date with youth sentiment and artistic expression.

``I am proud to be born in this country,'' Jaa says. ``You don't have to do Thai classical dance or muay Thai to express your Thai-ness. It's in your mind, your manner, your lifestyle and your love for the country. And there are many ways to express it. These artists do it with their art. I do it with my performances. You can do it to with whatever you do best.''

He has just finished shooting Tom Yum Goong 2, directed by Prachya Pinkaew and co-starring action starlet JeeJa Yanin. The film promises more of Jaa's trademark stunts and fight scenes, but he is more proud to have become a first-time father, as his wife just gave birth to a daughter.

On domestic life, he says, ``I'm totally happy. It's like graduating from a man to a more complete man, like I've fulfilled my purpose as a human being.''

Future acting work may include international films, as Jaa has previously caught the eye of Jackie Chan (who reputedly wanted him to play a role in Rush Hour 3, though filming would have conflicted with Ong Bak 2) and other international directors and action stars.

``The executives at Sahamongkol Film will make decisions for me,'' he says. ``Nothing is decided yet and we're still looking for the right role for me.''

One thing that is certain is Jaa's contribution to the promotion of Thai culture internationally, an influence that is reflected in the artworks on display.

``Art, all kinds of art, is contagious. You can't see a movie, listen to a song or see a painting without being inspired or curious. I got a bit of the limelight, and I got to star in big films that were screened around the world. People saw me punching, kicking, screaming for my elephants and became curious about it. They wanted to know where it all came from, and many have even taken muay Thai lessons or visited Thailand as a result.

``My life story has been exposed and they know how rural life in Thailand is, how a simple boy grew up.''

Watch out for `Tom Yum Goong 2' in cinemas, and the next instalment of `Pride of the Nation', featuring Toon Bodyslam, at Artery Post-Modern Gallery, Silom Soi 19, both early next year.