June 11, 2006
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Sung “Days”
This Friday on June 16th, Justin Lin’s “The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift” premieres.
I’ve been noticing the film hasn’t been getting a lot of equal coverage on the entertainment shows which I can only attribute to the movie’s lack of “names”.
But I have to say, those that do catch the flick will be pleasantly surprised. I sure was.
It’s definitely it’s own film within the franchise. A fun popcorn movie with Justin’s stylistic choices all over it (watch especially for Lucas Black’s slow-mo rollover during the first race and a 350z bumper’s near miss with a wall).
To the naysayers and folks with pre-formulated opinions, yeah it’s about a white guy being a fish out of water yada, yada — the movie isn’t claiming to break any narrative ground but it’s a pretty balanced perspective for a studio film largely in part due to Justin (axeing things like gongs, temples and visual gags of the white guy being a foot taller than the Asians in the original script) – and as a result, Sung Kang’s role is awesome. I wasn’t surprised to read the following quote from a behind the scenes interview with Justin:
“When we were screening this movie, Sung tested through the roof. It was unanimous: Every focus group we threw out there, he was their favorite character. Now they’re [Universal] looking for vehicles for him to be in. That’s what it’s all about, man: opportunity. It’s not a revolution or anything — it’s winning one gunfight, not the war. But it’s important. Little by little it adds up.”
The character’s very well developed and should really give Sung’s career some much deserved heat in conjunction with his other movies, ”The 
Motel” on June 28th and then “Undoing” on June 30th at the LA Film Festival. To see a trailer combining two of Sung’s upcoming films, check out this hilarious trailer: “The Motel and The Furious“.
Jason Tobin (“Virgil” in “BLT“) also makes a few appearances in the ”TFTF:TD where his dialogue is spoken in his true British Accent. I felt like I was at my ”BLT” alums’ “graduation” on the film’s huge red carpet event last week.
Please come out and support ‘em to help foster yet another small step towards progression.
(Fun tidbit: Sung’s character in “TFTF:TD” is named “Han” – like his character in “BLT” and Roger Fan’s character in Justin’s last movie “Annapolis” was named “Loo” - like his character in “BLT” – “Daric Loo” — perhaps alluding to the fact that after high school their characters respectively went off to Tokyo and joined the Naval Academy? 
Something’s fishy I think.
And just maybe, just maybe that Tech Support guy I played in all those Dell Commercials was also named “Ben” — like my character in – ehh, that wouldn’t be as impressive.
)
Comments (23)
I thought the guy in the Dell commercials was you!
I was quite excited to see that Japanese actor Satoshi Tsumabuki is in TFTF: TD as well. I noticed him in the trailer. Guess he’s making his way into American films. I had a huge laugh when I looked him up on imdb.com and noticed that he was listed as the “Exceedingly Handsome Guy” for TFTF: TD.
i was originally lukewarm about a racing movie with asians, fearing that stereotypes would zoom across the screen. however, i’m getting more and excited by the day knowing Justin had a strong word in how things would turn out!
um sorry to say, but FF3 TD is going to just perpetuate an underground life style my friends have been into and also egg kids on to try it at home which = hurting alot of people in the process besides killing a really cool thing. Drifting. I have one of the cars that are sought after for drifting s13 coupe, well needless to say I just don’t like the fact that people just look at my car and think 1 thing now…I drifting and also motor swap, yes I know what my car is capable of doing and my friends do exhibit their skills on the track, but I know that kids will do what they did in the 1st 2 FF movies, try it at home and make the 11 oclock news
…I don’t like the stereo types either of a lifestyle with out a moral.
hey there! Remember me?! Been a while! Hope all is well!!!!
Thanks for the plug, P.
I can’t believe those bastards at Universal trying to steal our thunder with their mash-up trailer! I’m going to have my lawyers get on this right away.
And Jason Tobin’s FF3 name was “Virgil!” I bet you’ll be in one of Justin’s future Hollywood flicks and you’ll be a “Ben” ;P
Yay for Sung Kang! He’s an awesome man!! Thanks for letting me know that the movie is by Justin Lin!!
hey parry i have been reading your blog for a bit. it is pretty interesting seeing the behind the scenes of ppl in the industry. one of my best friends (rocky joe) is doing directing and such in the LA area.
i was commenting here because it seems like you build a lot from your exposure on BLT. do you ever feel that you may one day become type-casted into another BLT type of role?
also i am wondering if you have any advice for me on this new movie site that i am starting up: http://movie-today.com i am looking to maybe get asian films online (and other films in general) organized.
Partythenwork: Regarding your question - Nah, chances are if someone’s visiting my site, they know me from the movie and I have no qualms about that. I’m secure enough with myself and have been pursuing/been in other projects. But if “BLT” is all people will ever know me from, that’s cool too. Many people go through a lifetime without making that kind of impression and I’d never disregard that. As for your site, you might want to talk to someone at vconline.org or sdaaff (San Diego Film Fest). Good luck!
Great…U make me feel so redneck white now for not keeping up with the Asian American Media
oh smack. I could’ve sworn I saw “Virgil” in the credits. lol~ maybe not then >_<
i thought it would be like all the rest of the films.. but since you’re recommending it and i love BLT and Sung Kang i will definetely show my support!
I TRIED OUT FOR LIL BOW WOW’S PART. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM NOT LIL BOW WOW.
You wonder why movies like this don’t get much in the media. The first time i saw the commercials for this movie, i was like AIYAH! This is such a crap story. i swear they’re milking the series for all they can get! What’s the deal? Why stereotype asians again? You were in a movie that tried to break that from the mainstream and we’re back to square one because of this movie. But it’s awesome to see that you blog. =)
so roger, sung, and jason are among the BLT alumni who’ve made it into one of Justin’s studio films. when are you, karin, and john gonna get in on the action? haha, is Justin playing favorites? =)
i’ve noticed the whole name thing too. nevertheless, i’m excited to check out all the “blt alumni” in the movie.
Jinburhanudin: Thanks for commenting — I think we’re all trying to still ‘break strereotypes from the mainstream’, but now it’s determining how to go about doing it in the commerical studio world where there’s a lot more cash at stake (and frankly, where it counts the most). Remember, with “BLT”, we were able to do anything we wanted with no studio initially involved but on the downside, it wasn’t seen by a larger audience and other Asian American indies going that route haven’t seen the same level of exposure “BLT” did — they’re still at the mercy of the studios deciding if they want to buy/distribute their film.
With Tokyo Drift, it’s going to be a little more give and take, that’s the reality of things but on the upside (depending how you look at it) millions will be exposed to the film. If you read articles like these: http://www.angryasianman.com/extra.html you’ll realize that it would’ve been in much worse hands if someone like Justin wasn’t involved.
So yes, on the surface and commercials it may seem like your Fast and the Furious of old (and honestly, in some scenarios in might still seem that way) but I think if you give it a chance, you’ll be surprised at some moments that could’ve gone the old stereotypical way. I
f we were truly back at ‘square one’, Sung Kang wouldn’t have been cast in such a well developed role and the lead actress would’ve been the typical geisha fetish set dressing. I think we’re making those baby steps that we need to. -parry
Interesting thoughts. i guess i’m just pissed because everytime i see an asian on TV…they tend to pick the ugly ones (not meaning you.or John Cho (i think that’s his name?….) but they make them stupid and obnoxious! They’re portrayed as mathematically smart, over acheivers, and boring!! i only see filipinos sing, but they’re NOT mainstream, and most of the models are so chinky looking!! it’s like…dood. we HAVE to have better looking asians out there with talent?! where are the chinese, korean, japanese singers? in hong kong singing wacked ass music? And if you’ve been in the movies already as an asian actor, they’ll reuse you over and over again EVEN if you can’t act. (i.e Xhang Zi Yi, Pat Morito, Lucy Liu, Ming Na) they’re used in a sterotypical way, and then reused in tv and movies which makes them SEMI mainstream. But still…there has to be more!! I might RENT tokyo drift, but honestly…..asian guys watch it for the chicks, white guys watch it for the chicks, girls watch it cause their boyfriends are there for the chicks. i’ll try and give it a try. thanks. sorry to be so pessimistic. I’m just jaded. I’m in an alternative rock band. Just started. don’t want to be famous. Just heard.
Hi Parry!
I had no idea you had xanga! It’s great to see you on this online community blog! I doubt you remember, but we met about a year and half ago in Maryland at the Fuel conference. I even took a picture with ya! I’ll post it up on my page some time this week or so…hope you are having a great weekend!
Parry, I love your blog. What’s the deal with “Finishing the Game” JL’s new indie? Are you in it? Did shooting start yet? R u guys gonna open casting? I read the SFGate interview with and been wondering about it ever since. Please let you fans know.
Whoa..no way. Haha. That’s pretty slick. I think you’d be great as a street racer
…you know, add some street creds under your belt? haha. 
It’s a bit late to comment, but I’d like to say that even though I had low expectations going into the movie, I came out liking the movie quite a bit, especially the cameos. Having a foot in the drifting community, a lot of people did a lot of naysaying about the movie, but the movie turned out to be far better than I thought it would be, with many elements of Justin’s directing style apparent in the movie. Also, props to whoever came up with the idea to have Hans eat constantly rather than smoke constantly (as he did in BLT).