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Here’s an interesting new project and one that harkens back to the DTV era franchise that starred Olivier Gruner. It appears that The Circuit 4: Faith Fighter is priming for a summer 2024 release as advertised by new key art (which you can view below) and it stars some heavy action star firepower in former 90’s martial arts DTV action sensation Billy Blanks, who went on to reap fortune with his Tae Bo workout regime, and the one and only David “Bolo” Yeung who is the son of martial arts icon Bolo Yeung of Enter the Dragon and Bloodsport fame. This is another movie that flew under my radar and a trailer was unveiled just a little while back featuring footage of the fourth chapter which sadly does not involve Gruner in the lead, but he is still involved. It appears that Blanks is armed and ready with his fists and feet for his first starring role in a martial arts themed actioner in years. Blanks has popped up here and there over recent years but now he’s returned to doing what he does best! Scroll below for the trailer and poster!
An aging retired fighter has to get back to the ring in order to save a young student. Billy Blanks, David (Bolo Jr) Yeung, and Al Sapienza star.
Martial artist, actor, filmmaker and former 90’s DTV action star Jalal Merhi, who helmed all three previous entries, is back in the director’s chair once again and from the initial teaser trailer, this one looks and feels exactly like all those VHS actioners that flooded Blockbuster stores years ago. True, this is an indie affair with a limited budget but that will surely be its charm and it looks to contain plenty of fight action for fans and to see Blanks in action again is definitely worth a watch.
It’s also important to note that The Circuit 4 is a theatrical retooling of the TV series that was shot a few years back which did feature Gruner more heavily. There’s no word if that 13-episode series will ever see the light of day so if anyone has Intel on it. hit me up. The Circuit 4 looks to focus on Blanks’ plot of the series where he plays Samson and looks to re-enter the illegal underground tournament to avenge the death of his brother who was played by his real-life sibling Michael “The Kicking Machine” Blanks in the second film. He also is looking to protect the life of a younger fighter who is messed up in the tournament as well. Gruner is in it, but it looks like he will be in the background more or at least that is what the teaser shows us as Gruner is hardly seen in the new footage. All the newer key art looks to promote Yeung’s participation in the movie which is a no brainer given that it looks like the genre is prepping him to be a major player in martial arts infused action films of the future.
I must apologize as I totally missed the opportunity to ask Mr. Gruner about it in my interview I did with that PHAT Samurai Guy. I must admit that I had forgotten about it as it’s been a few years and only this new trailer and poster has flamed the fires for it once again. You can watch our video interview with Olivier Gruner below though.
Just for the fun of it, check out the original trailer for The Circuit series which also starred a bevy of action talent including Eric Roberts, Richard Tyson, Art Camacho, and Patrick Kilpatrick. I also posted three articles for the TV series in the past which you can also check out below!
Lock n Load for future intel on The Circuit 4 and hopefully more from the series as the movie looks to hit sometime this summer.
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