Weinstein Co. Postpones New Tony Jaa Release

The Weinstein Company informed journalists this week that release of Tony Jaa's new actioner "The Protector" has been pushed to Sept. 8 nationwide. Titled "Tom Yum Goong" for its original Asia release, TWC had previously scheduled the film for an Aug. 25 rollout.

Jaa's follow-up to "Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior," his sensational international martial arts debut, finds the Thai martial artist in a similar role, playing a country boy pursuing international gangsters, but with the action set primarily in Australia. Helmed by "Ong Bak" director Prachya Pinkaew, "Tom Yum Goong" debuted throughout Asia in 2005, moving on to Europe earlier this year under various titles, including "Honor of the Dragon" and "Revenge of the Warrior."

Advance English-language reviews of the film have been running mixed -- a response shared by CinemaPlanet following a screening of the Thai-language version of "Tom Yum Goong." Jaa's Muay Thai martial arts stunts and fight scenes are still spectacular, particularly in a confrontation with a Capoeira expert in a Buddhist temple during a raging fire, but the storyline is episodic, lacking narrative momentum.

Whether TWC has imposed a re-cut that improves the pacing as part of the US distribution deal remains to be seen when press screenings are rescheduled for the Sept. release. The delay is reminiscent of the Weinstein's tenure at Miramax, where they were sometimes known for acquiring Asian-language titles and putting the US release on hold or shelving them entirely.

Within a couple of weeks it should become clear whether a similar pattern is developing at The Weinstein Company, or if Tony Jaa's growing international stature will create enough momentum to deliver the film to US audiences.