Matthew Ziff Cast in 'The Martial Arts Kid,' Starring Martial Arts Favorites Don 'The Dragon' Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock; Kickstarter Campaign Launched to Complete Project

LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Martial Arts Kid is a film launching on Kickstarter on Monday, April 21 and is co-headlined by two martial arts legends – and you can't get a more natural or bankable pair for a Kickstarter than these two icons. The legendary "Dragons" are back - and martial arts fans are sure to be stoked and willing to pledge.

Cynthia "Lady Dragon" Rothrock ("China O'Brien") and Don "The Dragon" Wilson ("Bloodfist") are teaming up as the co-headliners in a new film, "The Martial Arts Kid." It is Rothrock's first action/martial arts film as a lead since 2004's "Sci-Fighter" and Don Wilson's first action/martial arts film as a lead since 2007's "The Last Sentinel."

Rothrock and Wilson, who have starred in over 75 action/martial-arts films combined, will play the aunt and uncle of a troubled teen who moves to a beach town in Florida after the death of his mother. They both teach him martial arts as a way to heal and to protect those he cares about and himself.

The teen has not yet been cast, but other major roles that have include TJ Storm ("Black Cobra") as the opposing instructor to the "Kid" and Matthew Ziff ("Six Gun Savior" and "Treachery") as the bully and tormentor of the "Kid."

Other roles already confirmed are Natasha Blasick ("Meet The Spartans," Sasha on "Days of Our Lives") and Tara Cardinal ("Legend of the Red Reaper"), Inga Van Ardenn ("Crossing Shadows"), comic Graham Elwood ("Cram"), Jeff Behar, Adrienne Camille ("The Devil's Dozen"), Daniel Moncada ("Sabotage"), Sofya Skya ("Assassins Run") and Vicki Vodar ("Cross Threads").

The Kickstarter for the film begins today, April 21. Those who want to contribute to the project can click on the following link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1088382504/204013739?token=9426b7bb

A pledge for as little as $5 will earn a thank you in the film's credits, as well as a thanks by e-mail, Facebook and Twitter, while a pledge of $10,000 or more will entitle the giver to becoming an Executive Producer of "The Martial Arts Kid," VIP treatment throughout the entire filming process, goodies and perks associated with all lower donations and a VIP invite to the wrap party. "Casting is ongoing for many roles. This is the beginning," says James Wilson, Don's brother, who along with former kickboxing champion Cheryl Wheeler Duncan is producing the film and says they already have enough funds to proceed, but are hoping to raise more than an average direct-to-video flick would require, with the possibility of the film being shown theatrically.

Composer/songwriter Martin Blasick, who gained serious Oscar consideration for his work on "Magic Mike," is a contributing songwriter. Emmy-award-winning composer Boris Zelkin is doing the soundtrack. Cinematographer Denis Maloney is on board as DP. He shot "The Contender" with Jeff Bridges, Joan Allen and Gary Oldman. Michael Baumgarten is the Director and screenwriter. He is an award-winning screenwriter, notably for "Smitty" with Peter Fonda, Mira Sorvino and Lou Gossett Jr.

"It's a little different from the films we've done in the past," says Rothrock, the Queen of Martial Arts Films. "I feel really good about it. This is going to be one of those films that looks like it will have enough of a budget and enough care to make sure everything is done the right way. From the script, the casting, to the music we use in certain scenes, James and Cheryl are making sure every detail is taken into account and that everyone is putting forth their best effort into making a great film. That's very exciting to me."

STAR INFO:

CYNTHIA ROTHROCK
Rothrock is known as "Queen of the Martial Arts Films." The lead in over 40 martial arts/action films, including "China O'Brien," she is one of the most successful and bankable action stars in history.

DON "THE DRAGON" WILSON
Wilson, one of the most successful kickboxers ever, has starred in over 30 action films, including eight "Bloodfist" films and proudly points to the fact that every film he had starred in has made a profit.  

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MAK_Movie_2014   
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MAKMovie2014 
KICKSTARTER: www.kickstarter.com/projects/1088382504/the-martial-arts-kid

Contact:
James Wilson 
818 284 9585 

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SOURCE Matthew Ziff