Michael Jai White is returning to both the MMA cage and the director’s chair with the upcoming “Never Back Down 3”. The sequel to White’s 2011 directorial debut “Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown” sees him reprise the role of MMA guru Case Walker, with Larnell Stovall returning as fight choreographer and “Chocolate“-star Jeeja Yanin also joining the film. Later, news emerged that the Australian Hercules Nathan Jones had come aboard, and it seems now that he’s brought his “Tom Yum Goong” co-star Tony Jaa with him, if the above photo that White posted to his Facebook page earlier this week listing off the “cast” of the film is anything to go by.
If Tony (who is currently wowing Hong Kong movie goers in the just-released “SPL II”) is indeed joining the film, it will mark his second on-screen collaboration with White following “Skin Trade“. And as if that wasn’t enough action talent, Brahim Achabbakhe and Ron Smoorenburg will also be appearing in the film, on top of former UFC Heavyweight champion Josh Barnett. Indeed, you’d be forgiven for mistaking the poster for the film as advertising an actual title fight between Barnett and White!
“Never Back Down 3” (we’ve just heard) has wrapped its production in Thailand. Stay tuned for more info on the film as it drops!
