Ninja Assassin is an upcoming martial arts film directed by James McTeigue and starring Rain. The film is produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers, and filming took place in Berlin, Germany. The film is scheduled to be released on November 25, 2009.

SYNOPSIS

Raizo (Rain) is one of the world's deadliest assassins, having been kidnapped as a child and raised by the Ozunu Clan, believed by the world to be a myth. When Raizo's friend is executed by the clan, Raizo flees into hiding. He later reemerges, seeking revenge. Meanwhile, Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris) is a Europol agent who investigates money linked to political murders and finds that it is linked to the Ozunu Clan. She defies her superior, Ryan Maslow (Ben Miles), and retrieves secret agency files to find out more. The clan, finding out about the investigation, attempts to assassinate her, but she is rescued by Raizo. Hiding in Europe, Raizo and Mika must find a way to take down the Ozunu Clan.

PRODUCTION

Ninja Assassin is directed by James McTeigue and produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers. The project was inspired by the ninja scenes featured in the Wachowskis' 2008 film Speed Racer, in which the actor Rain had impressed the Wachowskis with his portrayal as a fighter. The Wachowskis were dissatisfied with the original script, and hired J. Michael Straczynski to write a new draft for the film six weeks before it began production. As he was told the script had to be sent out to the actors by the end of the week, Straczynski completed the rewrite in 53 hours. Filming began in Berlin, Germany at the end of April 2008. Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg provided filmmakers US$1 million in funding, and Germany's Federal Film Fund provided an additional US$9 million to the film's funding. Filming took place in Babelsberg Studios and on location throughout Berlin.
McTeigue cited various influences in filming Ninja Assassin such as the films Panic in the Streets (1950), The Getaway (1972), Badlands (1973), Ninja Scroll (1993), and the television series Samurai Champloo (2004-2005).

CHARACTERS

Rain as Raizo, one of the world's deadliest assassins.
Naomie Harris as Mika Coretti, a Europol agent.
Rick Yune as Takeshi, the leader of a team sent by the Ozunu Clan.
Ben Miles as Ryan Maslow, Mika's Europol superior.
Sho Kosugi as Lord Ozunu, leader of the Ozunu Ninja Clan.


Related Links:
> Ninja Assassin Official Website