After losing the legendary Aussie Martial Artist, Actor & Choreographer Richard Norton last year we thought we would never see our favorite in a movie again. Seemingly his last appearance turned up to be a villain role in Cynthia Rothrock Western/ Action hybrid Black Creek (2025) but to quote the Master Yoda himself “there’s another one…”.
Richard Norton & Stephen DeGenaro
Passionate Filmmaker and Martial Artist Stephen DeGanaro filmed some scenes for his upcoming project RAGING JAKE in the late 2024 and he had none other than Norton play his (step)father. Considering Norton was the O.G. of Australian Martial Art Actors (since the days of Octagon and Force Five ) it was a fitting tribute. I actually knew about this and even just recently commented that it was too bad we’ll never get to see it.
Jake uncovers a conspiracy tied to his past, his missing brother, and a violent criminal underworld. Every step closer to the truth pulls him deeper into danger.
The original concept trailer shot in 2024
Well, it’s a bit of a miracle because it turns out that over the two days of filming they got the main scenes with Norton done and there’s enough filmed for him to show up in a finished movie. And even if his role might be relatively small in the end it’s fitting that his last movie is a full on Martial Arts Fest filmed in his native country.
Now, for DeGanaro, this story is something he is deeply passionate about, including writing a whole book before he ever got the film going and he promises visceral (almost Ong Bak level?) brutal Martial Arts with no wires or CGI. Considering he is a dedicated Jeet Kune Do practitioner under Richardo Vargas (also the movie’s fight choreographer) we’ll hold him to his word.
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With a fellow Aussie- Bran Foster putting out a non- stop banger like Life After Fighting (2024) recently it’s on DeGanaro to keep the momentum going and maybe, just maybe Australia can become a new Hong Kong, Thailand or Indonesia of action films.
For those of us who want to support the movie, it’s expected to go live on Indiegogo, right here any day now (so by the time you’re reading this link should up and running).
Worsemovies 