Hollywood Calls for Rain


Korean pop idol Rain has snagged his first leading role in a Hollywood film. The singer and actor told a press conference at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Wednesday that he has been cast as the hero in the action movie "Ninja Assassin".
The movie is to be produced by Joel Silver, the producer of "V for Vendetta," and the Wachowski Brothers, the directors of "The Matrix."

"It's such a huge opportunity that I feel like I'm dreaming," Rain said. "I'm not only working out to lose weight and training to build the perfect body, I'm also studying English hard."

This won't be Rain's first Hollywood movie. He recently shot a supporting role in the Wachowski Brothers' "Speed Racer", which is scheduled to open in theaters in May.

"You'll see Korean characters appear in some scenes in the movie," Rain said with a grin. "That's because I lobbied and sometimes pressured the producers to feature the Korean language."

Source:http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200802/200802140011.html


Rain to reign in "Ninja Assassin"
Written by Darcy Paquet

SEOUL - South Korea's biggest pop star Rain will take another step towards becoming an international film star with a leading role in Larry and Andy Wachowski's "Ninja Assassin".

Tentatively skedded to shoot from March to July in Berlin, Warner Bros. pic will be produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowski's, with "V for Vendetta" helmer James McTeigue likely to direct.

A press conference in Seoul on Wednesday with William Morris Agency executive VP John Mass and Rain's agency J.Tune Entertainment provided few details about the film, but highlighted the dramatic career path taken by the young singer/actor.

Also known by his real name Jung Ji-hoon, Rain took his first leading role in Park Chan-wook's 2007 Berlin Competition entry "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK". He also plays a supporting role in the Wachowski's upcoming "Speed Racer".

WMA and J.Tune have announced a special partnership to facilitate Rain's emergence as an international star.

The singer's other upcoming activities include recording a new version of seventies hit "Kungfu Fighting" for this summer's release of DreamWorks animation "Kungfu Panda", and various music events tied to the Beijing Olympics.

Source: Variety Asia http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5507/53/