With the rise of YouTube, streaming, and social media, it’s easier than ever for aspiring filmmakers to get their pet projects off the ground, but that’s just as true for those already working in the film industry.
Christian Howard can certainly attest to this, having been a part of the 2010 short film “Street Fighter: Legacy”, which later spawned 2014’s “Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist”. Today, Howard and Josh Mabie of Re:Anime are ready unleash more such action-packed content on YouTube with their new channel, Rogue Origin!
The channel kicks off with the James Bond short “Oddjob”, (see video above) in which Howard portrays the eponymous British spy in a very “Winter Soldier”-inspired action scene.
Rogue Origin is set to be a hub of similar shorts based on well-known intellectual properties. The official press release below details what fans can expect from Rogue Origin.
Rogue Origin: Founded by Josh Mabie & Christian Howard
“Rogue Origin, a new YouTube channel co-founded by one of the original members of Re:Anime, Josh Mabie, and one of the co-founders of Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist, Christian Howard is launching its first in a series of new content catered to the high-octane, martial arts genre.
The short film is an adaptation based on Greg Pak’s infamous 2019 James Bond comic book run in honor of the passing of the original James Bond – Sean Connery.
Enter: Agent Lee
The series focuses on new counter-operative in John Lee, a South Korean agent that is Bond’s biggest nemesis and potential ally. Fans of the series will recognize the name Oddjob, the mountain of muscle from the 1964 James Bond film ‘Goldfinger.’
The short film stars Josh Han (Marco Polo, CWs Death Squad) and Christian Howard (Street Fighter : Assassins Fist, The World’s End) and is directed by Josh Mabie (The Hunger Games: A Message from District 13, Avatar the Last Airbender: Agni Kai)
James Bond: Playing in the Sandbox of a Vivid, Fantasy World…
“I’ve always wanted to play in the James Bond sandbox, as it’s such a fantastic world full of vivid characters and this opportunity allowed us to explore it in a new light – through the eyes of another operative.” says Mabie.
When asked why it was important to tell this story now: “Pak has paved the way for diverse voices says Han. Howard is enthusiastic, exclaiming “We’re extremely excited with the projects we have in development and can’t wait to share them with the world.”
Many More Comic Book & Video Game Adaptations on the Way!
This soft launch is the first of the many more comic book, anime, and video game adaptations in the queue, including Street Fighter, Naruto, Cowboy Bebop, and many more.
What Happened to “Street Fighter: World Warrior”?
The mention of content relating to “Street Fighter” will come as welcome news to many fans of Howard’s portrayal of Ken Masters in “Assassin’s Fist” and its 2016 follow-up “Street Fighter: Resurrection”.
Earlier this year, director and co-writer Joey Ansah revealed on social media that that plans for “Street Fighter: World Warrior” had fallen into limbo, obviously sad words to hear after he and Howard delivered by far the best live-action “Street Fighter” adaptation and the best video game adaptation to date with “Assassin’s Fist”.
Whatever “Street Fighter”-related projects Rogue Origin has in the works, it can hopefully breathe new life into it (one certainly hopes the upcoming “Mortal Kombat” reboot can do the same as another certain video game-based property).
“Iron Fist” Short Film with Howard as Orson Randall
Additionally, Rogue Origin is also set to release an “Iron Fist” short featuring Howard in the role of Orson Randall, Danny Rand’s predecessor as the immortal weapon of K’un Lun.
Iron Fist was among the Marvel characters to have a home on Netflix prior to the cancellation of all the Marvel Netflix shows. Interestingly, Season 2 of “Iron Fist” ended with a tease of Orson Randall, complete with Danny donning Randall’s outfit and blasting off a pair of chi-charged bullets with Randall’s twin pistols.
Could Rogue Origin’s “Iron Fist” short lead to more Orson Randall action? Only time will tell…stay tuned…!