9/14/2010

Russell Crowe reteams with The Rza in The Man with the Iron Fist


The Rza must've made a pretty cool impression on Russell Crowe while shooting American Gangster together, because this casting news has come completely out of left field. We've known for months that Rza was developing his own martial arts epic, The Man with the Iron Fist, with himself behind the director's chair and Eli Roth(Hostel) co-producing. We don't really know much else. Now we do, as Crowe has signed to play the "baddest man alive", as described by the Wu-Tang Clan member. He told EOnline...

"I won't spoil it for you, but Russell's gonna be the baddest man alive," he told me yesterday at the VMAs. "That man is in fighting shape. That man will knock you out."

Rza and Crowe will be seen together again in Paul Haggis's upcoming film, The Next Three Days.  As for "Iron Fist", details are still slim. Rza will be playing a weaponmaking blacksmith. Not much else is known. Considering the genre and Rza's sensibilities, I'm guessing it'll follow the plot of many of the old Shaw Brother martial arts flicks. An ancient text will get stolen...a lone warrior seeks revenge....whatever. 

The fact that Crowe is involved almost guarantees that other big names will follow. Who wouldn't want want to be a part of this production now?