International Martial Arts Actors Filming “Showdown in Manila”

An ensemble of international actors, mostly from famous martial arts Hollywood films, is making a film entirely here in Manila. The film is titled as “Showdown In Manila”. Being produced and stars in the lead, Alexander Nevsky (dubbed as the “Russian Arnold Schwarzenegger”), together with known international actors the likes of Tia Carrere (Showdown in Little Tokyo, The Relic Hunter, Lilo & Stitch), Cynthia Rothrock (China O’Brien, Martial Law), Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers, Mortal Kombat: Legacy), Cary-Hirouyuki Tagawa (Rising Sun, Mortal Kombat) to name a few. This film is also being directed by Fil-American Martial Artist/Actor Mark Dacascos (Crying Freeman, Iron Chef: America), which this is also his directorial debut. Aside from the international actors in the film, local actors such as Iza Calzado (Encantadia, Starting Over Again), Jake Macapagal (Metro Manila, Posas) and Mon Confiado (On The Job, Feng Shui) were included in the cast.

Last March 22, 2015, a special Press Conference for “Showdown in Manila” happened at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati. In which several members of the local press asked some questions about the film and the actors in it.

What’s A Geek was able to ask on how these iconic actors got into one movie. Tia Carrere answered that she was personally invited by Mark Dacascos, since they’ve been good friends for a very long time. She mentioned that they’ve been working together way back when they were still in the soap opera, “General Hospital”. And that it also gave a chance to have more than just one Filipino actor being cast in an international film, which was quite rare in Hollywood.

As the Press Conference continued, we were informed that the film is being shot entirely in the Philippines. They had started filming in Escolta and the pier area of Manila. They also mentioned that they’ll be filming in Palawan as well.

Producer and Lead actor, Alexander Nevsky, mentioned that he really is interested to do a shoot a film in Manila and he is very happy about this doing project and working as well with fellow international martial art actors. Though he didn’t mention the whole plot of the film, he told everyone that he’s playing a cop and he is protecting Iza Calzado’s role in the film.

Principal photography on “Showdown in Manila” started last March 9. It is described as an action-thriller in the same vein as “The Expendables”. “Showdown in Manila” production team has also assembled a team of experts in various fields of action movie production which includes Rudy Harbon as Director of Photography, fight instructor Al Dacascos and assistant fight instructor Sonny Sison for fight choreography and stunt coordination.

“Showdown in Manila” will come out end of 2015 with international release in the US and Russia.

By the way, here’s What’s a Geek’s Gem & Earl geeking out with Shang Tsung (Cary-Hirouyuki Tagawa)

It really did seem that the cast were having a good time during the presscon. They were ready to answer any and all question with of the ‘elder statesmen’ relating their past visits to the country. You can totally feel the electricity being in the same room as these ‘icons’ and you have to really relish the fact that this movie is totally happening.

When asked on if they planned to do a premiere night here in the country Alexander Nevsky stated that they are trying to get something done; hopefully we do get a world premiere here. As of writing, the cast and crew should be done with the production.

They did mention they were shooting additional scenes in Coron, Palawan the day after the presscon.