Netflix’s Wu Assassins may fill the martial arts void created when AMC cancelled Into the Badlands after three seasons.
Wu Assassins combines martial arts, sci-fi and fantasy in telling the story of an aspiring chef, played by Iko Uwais, and how he is affected as the sole surviving heir of the Wu Assassins bloodline. It takes place in modern-day San Francisco so be assured there are plenty of shots of Chinatown.
Indonesian martial arts master Uwais, who introduced the Silat fighting style in his breakout film in the now-classic The Raid, can be seen this summer as the villain in the action-comedy Stuber. He is teamed up with action star Katheryn Winnick, who did her fair share of fighting and action in the series Vikings.
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Director Stephen Fung, who directed episodes and a producer of Into the Badlands, says his job is made easier because of stars. “Iko is a famous action star in Southeast Asia and Katheryn is a black belt in Taekwondo, and their action styles are very different from the kind we’re used to in Hong Kong action cinema.
It gave me a fresh perspective and pushed me to think out of the box,” Fung told The Hollywood Reporter. Taking advantage of Uwais’ Indonesian style of martial arts, there will be a marked difference from Into the Badlands. Fung said instead of long single-shot scenes so the viewer can appreciate the choreographed beauty of the fight, expect the action scenes to be more intimate and closer to the action.
Wu Assassins premieres today, Aug. 8, on Netflix.
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