Joe Taslim and Yayan Ruhian Say ‘The Furious’ Pushes Martial Arts Cinema to a New Level
KUALA LUMPUR: International action film The Furious is being hailed as one of the most ambitious martial arts productions in recent years, bringing together elite fighters and performers from across Asia in a project designed to elevate modern action cinema.
Directed by acclaimed action filmmaker Kenji Tanigaki, the English-language feature combines multiple martial arts disciplines within a revenge-driven storyline that blends emotional drama with large-scale combat sequences.
The cast includes Joe Taslim, Yayan Ruhian, Xie Miao, Joey Iwanaga and Brian Le, creating a diverse ensemble of performers known for their expertise in action filmmaking.
During a promotional visit to Malaysia, Joe and Yayan described the project as one of the most demanding productions of their careers.
Joe explained that his character, Navin, differs significantly from many of the intense and larger-than-life roles he has portrayed in previous films.
Rather than focusing solely on combat, the character is portrayed as an ordinary man driven by love and personal loss, adding a stronger emotional dimension to the story.
He said the balance between dramatic storytelling and action sequences allowed him to explore a different side of his acting abilities.
Known internationally for his performances in Mortal Kombat and The Night Comes for Us, Joe described the role as both refreshing and challenging.
Yayan, meanwhile, highlighted the film’s emphasis on choreography and visual storytelling rather than simply showcasing martial arts techniques.
According to him, every fight sequence was carefully designed to ensure that different combat styles could be integrated seamlessly while maintaining excitement and authenticity.
One of the film’s biggest highlights is its climactic finale, which features a complex four-person battle involving practitioners of kung fu, combat judo, taekwondo, Kyokushin karate and pencak silat.
Yayan described the sequence as the most physically demanding action scene he has ever filmed.
Joe agreed, noting that coordinating four fighters simultaneously required an extraordinary level of precision and preparation.
He credited director Kenji Tanigaki and the stunt team for creating a sequence unlike anything he had previously encountered in the genre.
Both actors admitted they were impressed by the final cut of the movie, saying the completed film exceeded even their own expectations.
Beyond its action spectacle, The Furious also explores themes of family, sacrifice and human trafficking, giving the story a deeper emotional foundation.
Joe said the film’s combination of thrilling action and meaningful subject matter makes it stand out from many contemporary action productions.
With its blend of international talent, diverse martial arts styles and emotionally driven storytelling, The Furious aims to appeal to both hardcore action fans and mainstream audiences worldwide when it arrives in Malaysian cinemas this week.
