Shaz Khan’s Movie The Martial Artist Postponed Amid LA Wildfires

The release of Shaz Khan’s Movie The Martial Artist, originally set for January 31 in Los Angeles, has been postponed due to the wildfires in the city. The film will now debut in the spring of 2025

The wildfires have scorched 40,687 acres in Los Angeles, causing massive destruction. More than 15,000 structures were lost, and over 100,000 people had to evacuate. At least 28 lives have been claimed by the fires.

Directed by Shaz Khan, who co-wrote the script with Michael Ross Albert, Shaz Khan’s Movie The Martial Artist stars Khan, Faran Tahir, Sanam Saeed, and Babar Peerzada. The film was shot in the United States, Pakistan, and Central America. It is the first international English-language film with four lead actors from Pakistan.

The film’s team issued a statement explaining the delay. They confirmed that the wildfires in LA forced the change in the release date. However, they reassured fans that the movie would now premiere in Los Angeles in spring 2025.

While the release date in Pakistan remains under wraps, the film will be available in both its original English version and a dubbed Urdu version. The producers are also considering an Eid release, due to overwhelming demand, but will finalize the date soon.

For his role, Shaz Khan underwent extensive training with MMA champion Rafael Cordeiro in California. In an Instagram post, Khan expressed his goal to humanize MMA fighters and showcase the sport as a blend of science and art. He emphasized the resilience and strong character of MMA fighters, highlighting their humility and relentless drive to grow.