I remember a few years ago when Ong-Bak was about to open in these parts and the entire web was abuzz with this Tony Jaa dude and how he was going to kick all sorts of ass and take Hollywood by storm.

The movie came, I saw it, was puzzled by the story and dumbfounded by the action sequences. Jaa is jawdropping amazing and as much as I’ve recently proclaimed my love for Banlieue 13, Tony Jaa is on a whole other level of awesomeness. I never managed to see Jaa’s second film The Protector but having been reminded of the talent of Jaa’s work, I may have to check that one out this week.

Now comes word, from the nice folks at (where else!) Twitch that Jaa is coming back with his directorial debut in Ong-Bak 2. Apparently this new film has no story connection to the first film

instead moving the narrative back in time and casting Jaa as a young man saved from execution by a group of global martial artists as a boy who has since trained in every one of their arts in an attempt to fuse them all into one master martial art.

I must admit I’m not particularly curious about the story line itself, mostly because I simply didn’t get the first one, but I’m certainly in for the action and by the looks of this promo reel, it certainly looks like it won’t disappoint. There’s blood, ass kicking kung fu in the rain and if the first film is any indication, out of this world theatrics. What more could an action fan ask for? How about to see it on the big screen? Let’s hope it gets picked up for distribution sooner rather than later.

Check out the promo tucked under the seat!