If you’ve never seen Ong Bak or Ong Bak 2, you’re missing the most impressive display of contemporary martial arts on film. And you won’t be able to see much more of it.
Because Tony Jaa is going to become a monk. He’s going to leave the film industry to become a Buddhist monk, which he’s already been ordained as. That’s some very, very serious career choices. That’d be like Tom Cruise dropping out of being Tom Cruise so he could make himself into a fine, upstanding priest, or a leader in a church of some….oh, wait. Never mind. Tony Jaa could crush Tom Cruise with his fists, and he was forced into making Ong Bak 2 by Thai producers. So think of how terrifying film producers in Thailand have to be.
Much has been made of the actor’s issues getting Ong Bak 2 made, with Jaa reportedly walking off into the jungle during production issues. Which would be akin to Tom Cruise wandering off into the valley whilst shooting Mission Impossible 4: Mission Impossibler.
People are speculating that Jaa will wait out his 10-year contract with the film company responsible for for making the Ong Baks. Alls I knows is, you if Tony Jaa comes up to you and tells you he wants to be a Buddhist monk, you don’t tell him no.
Comments
Jon Hill
June 2nd, 2010 - 4:25:36 PM
Hate to burst your bubble, but in Thailand it's custom for men to become monks. Everyone does it and usually it last for a short period of time. It can be looked more as a ritual than a career choice. Many do it to honor a fallen friend or family member. It can be as short as seven days. Becoming a monk is not like joining the priesthood. He'll probably be back making films shortly.
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Neha
February 5th, 2011 - 9:02:23 AM
Tony, am glad to see that you have become a monk.I think that this is a good period where one concentrate only in praying. Also, one eat only vegetarian foods.I also like to pray and maybe i will go to vrindavan in india.
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