DRAGON BLADE
"Justice has a new edge."
The Logline
In the shadows where justice fails, a ninja rises.
A principled food truck cook, leading a double life as a master ninja, is forced to abandon her moral code and wage a one-woman war against a powerful philanthropist's human trafficking empire after the system fails and the violence becomes deeply personal.
The Big Picture - Why This Film? Why Now?
"Dragon Blade" isn't just another action film—it's the birth of a revolution in martial arts cinema, a franchise poised to explode onto screens worldwide.
- High-Concept, Proven Genre: The female-led, visceral action thriller dominates global box offices (John Wick, Atomic Blonde, The Old Guard). Audiences crave the raw adrenaline of meticulously choreographed action driven by fierce, multidimensional heroines who shatter expectations.
- Authentic Action, Revolutionary Weaponry: Forget tired gun-fu tropes. With world-champion martial artist Rayna Vallandingham's lightning-fast precision and the never-before-seen "ChuckSword"—a weapon destined to become iconic—we deliver heart-stopping combat sequences that will leave audiences breathless and craving more.
- A Star-Making Phenomenon: This isn't merely a role for Rayna Vallandingham—it's the launching pad for the next global action superstar. Her unmatched fighting prowess brings an electrifying authenticity that Hollywood CGI simply cannot replicate.
- Franchise Gold Mine: The script's explosive finale and strategic post-credits revelation (the CIA's interest in Rayna) deliberately construct the foundation for a cinematic universe with limitless expansion potential—creating not just a film, but a cultural phenomenon and long-term investment opportunity.
Synopsis
In a city where corruption suffocates hope, a shadow warrior known only as the "Origami Ninja" strikes without warning. She moves like a whisper through the night, leaving only exquisitely folded paper butterflies—beautiful harbingers of destruction for those who prey on the innocent. With each precision strike, she dismantles the criminal underworld piece by bloody piece.
As these delicate paper signatures transform into symbols of violent redemption for the forgotten victims, they also become an obsession for the city's most relentless detective—a hunter determined to expose the face behind the shadows.
Looming above them all stands Anselmo, a billionaire philanthropist whose charismatic public persona has made him the city's most celebrated savior. But beneath his dazzling smile and generous donations lurks a monster—the architect of a vast human trafficking network that trades in suffering and despair. When the Origami Ninja begins slicing through the carefully constructed facade of his empire, an escalating war erupts that will push both predator and prey to their breaking points. When a devastating betrayal tears through the city's soul, leaving Anselmo—the true monster—still walking free, the rules of engagement shatter completely. As his ruthless ambition reaches new heights of depravity, threatening everything and everyone in its path, the Ninja's righteous mission transforms into a blood-soaked vendetta that will consume both hunter and hunted.
In this unforgiving crucible where justice and vengeance become indistinguishable, can one woman's fury illuminate the darkness? Or will the shadows she embraces to fight monsters ultimately consume her soul as well?
The Vision - Director's Statement
"As a filmmaker and a business analyst, I see stories as both art and systems. The system of justice is broken, and 'Dragon Blade' is the story of what happens when a good person is forced to operate outside of it. This isn't a story about mindless violence; it's about the cold, calculated fury that is born from love and desperation.
My vision is for a film with the visceral, bone-crunching action of John Wick but with the emotional heart of Léon: The Professional. The city of San Antonio isn't just a backdrop; it's a character—a place of vibrant culture and deep shadows. We will capture its unique texture, creating a world that feels grounded and real, even as our hero performs superhuman feats.
I wrote 'Dragon Blade' to be a singular, driving story with a clear, powerful voice. As director, I will ensure that every frame serves that vision, creating a tight, thrilling, and emotionally resonant experience that will leave audiences breathless and ready for the next chapter."
- Eliud "Elliott" Lamboy, Writer/Director
The Tone & The World
VISUALS: Gritty, rain-slicked urban nights contrasted with the warm, vibrant colors of San Antonio's day-to-day life. The action will be captured with kinetic, clear cinematography—no shaky-cam. We see every strike, every block, every brutal impact.
TONE: A seamless blend of street-level grit and hyper-stylized action.
- Comparable Films:
- John Wick (2014): For its world-building and masterfully choreographed, weapon-based combat.
- Sicario (2015): For its tense, morally ambiguous atmosphere and portrayal of a protagonist descending into darkness.
- The Equalizer (2014): For its theme of a quiet, methodical hero protecting the innocent.
The Cast
LEAD ROLE (RAYNA) - RAYNA VALLANDINGHAM (Offer Pending)
- A True Martial Artist: Rayna is a multiple-time ATA World Champion in Extreme Martial Arts. Her involvement immediately elevates the project's credibility and action quality to an elite level.
- Proven Mainstream Appeal: Rayna was recently featured in the final season of the Netflix hit series Cobra Kai, introducing her to a massive global audience and proving her appeal within a top-tier streaming property.
- A Rising Star: With a significant social media following and recognition in the martial arts world, Rayna brings a built-in audience. This is her breakout dramatic role.
- Authenticity is Key: Investors and audiences can spot a fake. With Rayna, every fight scene is real, powerful, and authentic.
THE DETECTIVE (WASHINGTON) - DANNY TREJO (Proposed)
- Iconic & Bankable: Danny Trejo is an icon. His presence lends immediate marketability and perfectly embodies the world-weary, grizzled detective who has seen it all but finds himself in the middle of something entirely new. Casting him signals the grounded, gritty, and respected tone of our film.
The Secret Weapon - The "ChuckSword"
We are introducing a weapon and a martial art never before seen in cinema.
Created by our Stunt Coordinator, Tommy Zion, the "ChuckSword" is a revolutionary hybrid weapon that combines the fluidity of nunchaku with the lethality of a blade.
From Tommy's Vision:
"This is where craftsmanship meets combat innovation. The ChuckSword is more than just an incredible piece of equipment. It's the heart of a brand-new martial art... Express your artistry. Train with confidence. Wield the ChuckSword."
This is not a prop; it's a centerpiece. The "ChuckSword" will be to "Dragon Blade" what the lightsaber is to Star Wars—an iconic, marketable, and visually stunning element that sets our action sequences apart from anything else in the market.
The Core Team - Vision & Experience
We've built a lean, dynamic team that balances a fresh, singular vision with veteran industry know-how.
- Eliud "Elliott" Lamboy - Writer & Director (The Visionary)
- The passionate, driving force behind the project. As the sole writer and director, Elliott brings a unified, uncompromising vision to "Dragon Blade." His background in business and technology ensures a disciplined, goal-oriented approach to filmmaking.
- Patrick Perez - Producer (The Veteran Hand) (Offer Pending)
- Patrick brings the essential experience needed to deliver this film on time and on budget. His proposed role would be to:
- Oversee preparation of all financial paperwork for investors.
- Secure pre-production distribution deals.
- Manage the script breakdown, budget creation, and key personnel hiring.
- Shepherd the project through all phases of production to completion.
- Patrick's involvement is our guarantee of professional execution and risk mitigation.
- Patrick brings the essential experience needed to deliver this film on time and on budget. His proposed role would be to:
- Tommy Zion - Stunt Coordinator (The Innovator)
- A 30-year martial arts veteran and the creator of the "ChuckSword." Tommy will design and oversee a new style of cinematic combat that will be the signature of the "Dragon Blade" franchise.
The Investment Opportunity
We have formed Tommy Zion Productions LLC to produce and own the film. We are seeking partners to join us in bringing this exciting project to the screen.
Total Budget: $2,000,000
- Production Budget: $1,500,000
- This covers all "above the line" (cast, director, producer) and "below the line" (crew, locations, equipment, insurance, post-production) costs for a 30-day shoot.
- Key ATL Costs Included:
- Patrick Perez (Producer): 4% of production budget ($60,000) + $5k deposit.
- Rayna Vallandingham (Lead): $300,000 package fee.
- Backend Royalty: 2% for Rayna Vallandingham.
- Marketing & Distribution Budget: $500,000
- A dedicated fund to ensure a powerful promotional campaign, festival submissions, and securing the best possible distribution deal.
Investment in Tommy Zion Productions LLC provides direct equity ownership in the film and its future franchise revenue.
The Financial Edge - The Texas Advantage
Filming in the San Antonio/Austin area provides a significant financial advantage that directly benefits our investors.
The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP)
- A Significant Rebate: This program offers a cash grant of between 5% and 22.5% of eligible Texas spending.
- What this means for you: On a budget of this size, a substantial portion of our Texas-based expenditures will be returned to the production, directly reducing the financial risk and increasing the potential ROI for our investors.
- Deep Talent Pool: Central Texas boasts experienced, non-union film crews, further maximizing our budget efficiency.
We are not just making a film; we are making a smart, geographically-advantaged investment.
The Audience & Market
Primary Audience:
- Males and Females, 18-45.
- Fans of high-octane action thrillers (John Wick, The Raid).
- Martial arts enthusiasts and action film connoisseurs.
- Fans of anti-hero and vigilante stories.
Distribution Strategy:
Our primary path is a theatrical release, leveraged by a strong festival run (SXSW, TIFF, Fantastic Fest) to generate buzz and secure a favorable distribution deal. The marketing budget will be key to creating awareness and driving box office results, followed by lucrative streaming and international sales.
The Ask
We are seeking $2,000,000 in financing in exchange for equity in Tommy Zion Productions LLC.
This investment will fully fund the production, post-production, and marketing of "Dragon Blade," positioning it for commercial success and launching a new, profitable action franchise.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Eliud "Elliott" Lamboy [elliott@texasaiconsulting.com] WGA West Registration No: 2302693
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