Taglines: A power beyond measure requires a protector without equal.
For 60 years a mysterious monk with no name has zigzagged the globe to protect an ancient scroll – a scroll that holds the key to unlimited power. Now the Monk must look for a new scrollkeeper. Kar is an unlikely candidate, a streetwise young man whose only interest is himself. But when he inadvertently saves the Bulletproof Monk from capture, the two become partners in a scheme to save the world from the scroll’s most avid pursuer. Packed with spectacular special effects and martial arts action, the Monk, Kar, and a sexy Russian mob princess called Bad Girl must struggle to find, face, and fight the ultimate enemy.
Bulletproof Monk is an American action film directed by Paul Hunter in his directorial debut, and starring Chow Yun-fat, Seann William Scott, and Jaime King. The film is loosely based on the comic book by Michael Avon Oeming. The film was shot in Toronto and Hamilton, Canada, and other locations that resemble New York City.
In 1943 Tibet, a Tibetan monk is informed that he has fulfilled the prophecies made of him, which include forgoing his name. He is then entrusted by his master with the protection of a Scroll which contains knowledge by which the reader becomes the most powerful of living things, a protection that will keep him youthful and immunize him to injury until, at the close of 60 years, he must pass the knowledge to an heir. The master, who has formerly been the guardian of this Scroll, is killed by German soldiers shortly after the transfer. His pupil, the now nameless Monk, escapes the Nazis.
Sixty years later, a young pickpocket named Kar robs a police officer. He is arrested, frees himself, and flees reinforcements. Above, the Nameless Monk notices several men attempt to capture him, and he escapes into the subway. He and Kar collide and cause a young girl to fall into the path of an oncoming train. Kar and the Nameless Monk rescue the girl, and the three escape; Kar leaves his bag of stolen goods in the station. The Nameless Monk and Kar introduce themselves and Kar steals the Scroll from the Nameless Monk and runs away. The Nameless Monk chases after Kar, whom he suspects may be a suitable successor.
Directed by: Paul Hunter
Starring: Yun-Fat Chow, Seann William Scott, Jaime King, Karel Roden, Victoria Smurfit, Marcus Jean Pirae
Screenplay by: Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris
Production Design by: Deborah Evans
Cinematography by: Stefan Czapsky
Film Editing by: Robert K. Lambert
Costume Design by: Delphine White
Set Decoration by: Penny A. Chalmers, Clive Thomasson
Music by: Eric Serra
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, language and some sexual content.
Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release Date: April 16, 2003
