Asia Media Alliance Group and Nation Pictures have officially launched a joint venture to develop and produce Indonesian and Southeast Asian genre films for audiences around the world, including director Iko Uwais’ action vehicle Pende The list includes “Karl: The Warrior,” an Indonesian remake of the Korean hit “The Man From Nowhere,” starring Joe Taslim, and the Jakarta-set feature film “Good Samaritan,” directed by Pierre Morel and starring Daisy Ridley.
The venture brings together Asia Media Alliance Group producer and cinematographer John Ruddell and Jakarta-based Nation Pictures’ managing producer Deron Tio. Producer Mike Leeder of Hong Kong-based Red Packet Media is also contributing to the partnership.
The companies’ latest collaboration, Extraction: Tigo, a spin-off from the Netflix action series starring Don Lee and Blackpink’s Lisa, has wrapped principal photography in Jakarta, following filming that included road closures in major cities for large-scale action scenes. The production serves as a springboard for broader plans, which the partners say are already taking shape.
The first of the new projects is ‘Pendekar: Warrior’ which is currently in pre-production and is designed as a Sirat-driven action feature for Uwais. An Indonesian remake of the widely seen Korean action movie “The Man From Nowhere” has also been confirmed, with both companies securing local remake rights. Taslim will star in the film, and Kenji Tanigaki, director of action films such as “Fast and Furious,” is in talks to direct. Meanwhile, “The Good Samaritan” will team up “Taken” director Morrell with Ridley, and will be produced by Renee Tabb and Marina Grasic.
“I’ve always believed that Southeast Asia, and Indonesia in particular, could not only be a production destination, but a true creative hub for filmmakers and artists to make the kinds of movies the world wants to see. Now is the moment,” said Ruddell, whose past credits include Dev Patel’s The Monkey Man, Michael Mann’s Blackhat, and Night Comes Down.
Tio, whose producer credits include cult horror title Macabre, added: “Cinema has transcended language barriers. What’s important now is to make films with heart, ambition, identity and scale that truly draw audiences into the theater.”
Mr. Rieder, who has appeared in action films such as “The Raid 2,” “Man of Taichi” and “Triple Threat,” is currently producing the Korean action comedy “Belladonna,” rounding out the venture’s core producer team.
