Netflix means to right the wrong that wasIron Fistwith a new action-packed martial arts crime drama series starringThe Raid’sIko Uwais. Wu Assassins will launch globally on Netflix July 07, 2025.
The supernatural-infused action series comes to us from executive producers John Wirth (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,Falling Skies) and Tony Krantz (24). Wirth will also serve as showrunner and head writer.Altered Carbon’sByron Mann co-stars as Uncle Six, while Summer Glau (Fireflymakes an appearance as Miss Jones in theNetflix original.
The 10-episode series will follow Kai Jin (Iko Uwais), a young Chinatown chef in present day San Francisco as he gets thrust into the world of the “Chinese Triad”, of which his father is the head. Kai encounters a mystical spirit, and becomes the legendary “Wu Assassin”, and must use his enhanced martial arts skills to recover supernatural powers from five criminals threatening to destroy the world. The recentWu Assassinstrailer showcases the stylish fights and mystical elements over the backdrop of a sample track fromSnoop Doggand The Higher Brothers. The visuals blend ancient Chinese elements with modern day settings, and a little body-switching camera trickery similar to the Wachowski siblings’Sense8. Kai looks ready to take on his father who claims he will do “anything necessary to protect my power. Even if it means killing my beloved son.” And we’re sure ready to watch!
Fans of the genre can expect an exciting ride as Iko Uwais will also function as producer, lead martial arts and fight choreographer and stunt coordinator. Uwais served as fight choreographer on the popularThe Raid: Redemptionabout a S.W.A.T team fighting to escape a surrounded tenement building with limited resources, as well as its follow-up filmThe Raid 2. Both movies are known for their high-energy, entertaining action sequences. He also served as co-fight choreographer inMile 22, in which he starred alongside Mark Wahlberg (Transformers: The Last Knight) and Lauren Cohen (The Walking Dead).
Wu Assassins’release comes during Hollywood’s recent, and welcome, push to produce moreAsian-American content. With the success ofCrazy Rich Asians, Marvel’s announcement of the upcomingShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and the growing Chinese film industry, Netflix has seen the writing on the walls.
Thestreaming serviceis expected to launch the series on August 19, 2025. It will feature 10 episodes, each 45 minutes. It is being helmed by creators John Wirth and Tony Krantz. Along with fellow executive producers Stephen Fung, Michael Frislev, Chad Oakes. It stars Iko Uwais, Byron Mann, Li Jun Li, Celia Au, Lewis Tan, Lawrence Kao, Tommy Flanagan, Katheryn Winnick, Tzi Ma, JuJu Chan, Summer Glau, Robin McLeavy, Travis Caldwell. We can expect episodes directed by Stephen Fung, Roel Reiné, Toa Fraser, Katheryn Winnick, Tony Krantz, and Michael Nankin, from writers John Wirth, Cameron Litvack, David Simkins, Julie Benson, Shawna Benson, Yalun Tu, Jessica Chou.
