Jiu-Jitsu master John Machado wraps on David Mamet’s Redbelt and jumps into comics

Less then a month ago world renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Master John Machado wrapped production on David Mamet’s upcoming martial arts film, Redbelt, scheduled to be released by Sony pictures in 2008.

The film placed Machado at the helm of martial arts film choreography, bringing under his tutelage luminaries such as Chiwtel Ejiofor (Children of Men, Kinky Boots, Inside Man) and Rodrigo Santoro (300). Redbelt also features Machado in the role of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion, a title which he holds in real life. Redbelt also stars Tim Allen, Joe Mantegna, David Paymer, Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini, and Danny Inosanto (famous for his role as the assassin Pasquale in Bruce Lee’s last film, Game of Death).

Machado’s latest venture has the celebrated martial artist teaming up with Creative Impulse Publishing to release an international comic cook mini-series and graphic novel entitled Faixa-Preta (The Black Belt). The story takes place in the year 2020 in a city called Novo Rio, Brazil, where battle lines have been drawn between the crime bosses of the favelas (Brazilian slums) and a merciless military government. An orphaned boy named João, who has been given the gift of foresight, holds the key to either side’s victory or defeat. His only counsel is an old Jiu-Jitsu master, who comes to his aide and guides him on the right path toward understanding and harnessing his awesome powers.

Creative Impulse Publishing has enlisted the talent of video game character designer Chadwick Coleman (who has worked with Electronic Arts, THQ and Disney) to both write and illustrate the project, which will see a 2008 release in three languages–English, Japanese, and Portuguese–to coincide with the release of Redbelt.

The first images of Faixa-Preta available to the public will be unveiled at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con International, where Creative Impulse Publishing will continue its inaugural year with the launch of two new series: Durga: The Geomancer and Bardo, as well as issue #2 of their critically acclaimed series, JFH: Justice-For-Hire.

More on Redbelt
Redbelt is the story of Mike Terry, a Jiu-jitsu master who has avoided the prize fighting circuit, choosing to instead pursue a life of honor and education by operating a self-defense studio in Los Angeles. Terry’s life is dramatically changed when he is conned by a group of movie stars and promoters. In order to pay off his debts and regain his honor Terry must step into the ring for the first time in his life.