Triple threat Derek Ting is back as Jim Yung in his latest military action/sci-fi film, Agent Recon.
Agent Recon follows a covert military task force track a mysterious energy disturbance at a secret base in New Mexico that is suspected of experimenting on alien technology. Once there, the team encounters an unknown being of extraordinary strength and speed, and the ability to control an army of mindless warriors. The trio must fight through the unstoppable hordes to prevent humanity’s demise.
Agent Recon stars Derek alongside Marc Singer and Chuck Norris.
Derek subsequently wrote, directed, and produced Agent Intelligence (2017), a science fiction action thriller, released on Hulu, and its sequel, Agent Revelation (2021). The Agent films follow the story of an ancient alien race plotting to take over the world, and Derek’s character must uncover the truth and save humanity. His involvement in the production demonstrated his versatility and creative vision.
Derek is an actor, producer, and writer known for his work in independent films and recently named “Hong Kong’s new action vanguard” by Prestige Magazine. Originally from New York and now based in Hong Kong and the US, Derek has made significant contributions to the film industry through his involvement in various projects.
Check out our interview with Derek:
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT:
Twelve years ago, I released my first feature film, Supercapitalist a financial thriller set in Hong Kong and New York, with Warner Brothers. Although the film’s release and reception were commendable, it was only the beginning of what I aimed to achieve.I wanted to portray Asian males in roles that deviated from the stereotypical roles of martial artists and sidekicks. I wanted to play bankers, lawyers, and military personnel, while also bridging the gap between Eastern and Western cultures. Over the course of four subsequent film releases with Paramount, Hulu and Showtime, the pandemic granted me the opportunity to reflect on the kind of filmmaker I aspired to be.
In my view, movies should serve as a unifying force rather than a source of division. Therefore, Iset out to write something fresh and enjoyable—a tale featuring aliens, robots, zombies,conspiracies, and military action. This project is crafted with a captivating five-act structure, replete with twists and heartfelt moments.
And let’s not forget the beloved Chuck Norris. His real-life persona is as remarkable as one would imagine. Upon reading the script during a flight from Hawaii, Chuck’s wife, Gena, informed me that he exclaimed, “We have to do this movie.” Learning that he couldn’t put the script down brought tears to my eyes. I’ve continually strived to improve my craft and push myself to new heights. Hearing such affirmation from Chuck Norris and his family was incredibly validating.
During our initial meeting, Chuck Norris remarked that I reminded him of himself at my age. Since then, he and his family have been incredibly supportive, with his son Dakota even choreographing the film’s fight sequences for Mr. Norris. I worked closely with them to ensure that we portrayed him in the best light possible while also affording his fans the opportunity to witness this iconic legend doing what he does best.
Working with Marc Singer (known for his roles in Beastmaster and “V”) was an absolute. pleasure. He maintained a positive atmosphere on set and assisted me in fine-tuning scenes when I was preoccupied. Just like the heroes he portrays in his films, Marc fearlessly stood up against impossible challenges like working in the cold wet rain.
Furthermore, we received support from the California Film Commission, a feat that every esteemed producer informed me was akin to winning the lottery. But such is my life—one fraught with seemingly insurmountable odds.
Combining all these significant milestones, Quiver Distribution signed on, and Bondit decided to finance the film on the twelfth and final day of shooting. Yes, you read that correctly—I had a mere twelve days to bring this movie to life, complete with its thrilling action sequences, all captured with the cinematic Arri Alexa cameras.
Since filming commenced in January 2023, amidst rain in Los Angeles, we have been working tirelessly to meet an ambitious ten-month deadline. In addition,Earth’s greatest heroes Chuck Norris and Marc Singer, this film boasts 400 mesmerizing visual effects, an exceptional score, and top-notch sound effects.
As a tech journalist on the side, I hold profound respect for the time and effort required to create something meaningful. I sincerely hope that you will consider this project as the culmination of my team’s unwavering dedication and the countless hurdles we have overcome. I eagerly anticipate sharing these stories with you. It has been an exhilarating and novel experience.
release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
