KUALA LUMPUR: The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is well-known internationally, but in the coming years, Malaysia will have its own “Paskal cinematic universe”, thanks to filmmaker Adrian Teh.
Teh, whose first action film Paskal was an unexpected hit with viewers last year, said that his original cinematic universe would not be focusing on superheroes but “original Malaysian heroes”, mostly based on real-life people.
“No, these heroes don’t meet one another or team up in adventures, but they share common traits which Malaysians, and filmgoers around the world will find admirable.
“They are brave, strong, honest, family-oriented and patriotic men — my idea of a ‘league of extraordinary gentlemen’,” he said at the set of his latest action film Wira in Sentul Park, Jalan Ipoh yesterday.
When asked about Wira, Teh said it reunited him with Paskal’s stars Hairul Azreen and Henley Hii and told the story of a former soldier who excelled in mixed martial arts.
“Hairul, who greatly impressed me in Paskal, is back in action as this soldier named Hassan. His family, especially his tomboyish younger sister Zain, is threatened by an unscrupulous mixed martial arts organiser, Raja, because she owes him money.
“To protect his family from further intimidation by Raja’s henchmen, Hassan chooses to team up with Zain in a rematch against Raja’s formidable children Rayyan and Vee,” explained Teh.
Filming began last April 10 around the federal capital, Rawang and Kajang, and will end on May 14. Besides Hairul and Hii, the RM8 million film also stars Fify Azmi, Josiah Hogan, Dain Said and Indonesian actress Ismi Melinda.
Jointly produced by Multimedia Entertainment, Act 2 Pictures, Golden Screen Cinemas and Astro Shaw, it is likely to be screened by year end.
“I plan to have four or five films in my ‘cinematic universe’ and once Wira is ready, viewers will get to see an end-credits teaser for the next film,” said Teh, adding that Hairul would not be playing the hero in every film.
Paskal, a navy commando adventure screened in September last year, was enjoyed by Malaysians from all walks of life, and Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak was impressed by the stellar acting of its ensemble cast.
Paskal collected RM2 million on its opening night, RM7.5 million after four days and RM22 million in 18 days. It is the third best-selling local film after Munafik 2 (RM46 million) and Hantu Kak Limah (RM36 million).
The joint production of Asian Tropical Films, Golden Screen Cinemas, Multimedia Entertainment, Granatum Ventures and Astro Shaw was about the Royal Malaysian Navy's Pasukan Khas Laut (Navy Special Warfare Force) or Paskal, which was formed in 1982.
It focused on the force’s anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and the Sulu Sea, as well as its peacekeeping missions in Angola, and was based on the experiences of its commander, First Admiral Anuar Alias.
Paskal stars Hairul, Ammar Alfian, Taufiq Hanafi, Gambit Saifullah, Hafizul Kamal, G Theeban, Hii, Nam Ron, Amerul Affendi, Datuk Eizlan Yusof, Steve Yap and Jasmine Suraya Chin.