Date: August 26, 2004 (3:45 PM PST)
Source: IESB.NET
Author: Robert Sanchez
Tekken is one of the most successful video games in history and has been as popular as any of the Mortal Kombat games. It's always been a risky business to try to bring a video game to the big screen. A few have tried and most have failed. The first Mortal Kombat movie was a moderate success but the sequel failed horribly. A third MK film starting filming and the studio pulled the plug within weeks of production.
The Tomb Raider films have not been box office successes but that does not deter the director of the announced Tekken live action movie, Charles Stone III. While doing his junket rounds for Mr. 3000 the IESB asked him what he has planned for Tekken,
"It will not be anything like Mortal Kombat or any of the Lara Croft movies. You will get the feeling of Bruce Lee's Enter The Dragon. I want the audience to get to know the characters, so when they have to battle each other it will be more dramatic."
When asked what actors he hopes to have involved in the film, "Both Jet Li and Jackie Chan have been loosely attached to the film but were now thinking of starting clean. It will have plenty of "A" list actors," he told the IESB.
So with all the money that comic book and genre films have been making the studios in the last few years, will a studio "pay up" for actors in Jackie or Jet's league? "Our budget is good so we shouldn't have problem there," Stone told the IESB.
There are two versions of the possible storyline.
Version 1 - A worldwide martial arts tournament is nearing its final, with a large purse of prize money going to the fighter who can defeat Heihachi Mishima in the final round of the competition. The contest is sponsored by the giant financial group, the Mishima Zaibatsu. There are eight fighters that remain after winning death matches all over the world. The winner of the tournament will receive The King of the Iron Fists title. Who will be the one to defeat Heihachi Mishima and take home the prize money and fame? Will it be you?
Version 2 - Towards the end of the 20th century, a mysterious challenge went out to all who were deserving. No one knows from where it originated, but its draw was irresistible. The promise of power and riches beyond those attainable by the common man all to go to the survivor. From the depths of the lower earth to the far reaches of the outlands the call escaped no one. Many perished during the mortal street fights that were only a preview of the challenges that were to come. Only 8 remain, those with the true killer instinct, all ready to die, to gain the title of "TEKKEN", "Lord of the Rave War."
So when can we see Tekken on the big screen? "We are currently writing the script and we should be in production next year," said Stone.
Stay tuned to the IESB for updated Tekken News!
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