DSE Introduces Dream Stage Pictures

LOS ANGELES – Dream Stage Entertainment, the parent company of the PRIDE FIGHTING

CHAMPIONSHIPS, announces the formation of Dream Stage Pictures, an affiliate company for the creation

of motion pictures.

Already in production is Dream Stage Picture’s first film, a tale entitled Nagurimono (translated as “one

whose nature it is to fight”), which takes place in Edo (Tokyo) at the end of the Shogunate Rule during the

1860s.  The story involves exclusive, private fights being held for the entertainment of feudal lords and

shoguns.  The film will be a combination of action and romance and will feature up and coming Japanese

actor, Hiroshi Tamaki, as well as established film and television star, Takenori Jannai.    

The goal of Dream Stage Pictures is to create quality films that do not necessarily focus around the

presence of PRIDE FC fighters.  Nonetheless, fighters may have bit roles in the films … among others,

Nagurimono will include Kazushi Sakuraba, Don Frye, Wanderlei Silva, Quinton Jackson, Alexander

Otsuka, and Yoshihiro Takayama.  Dream Stage Entertainment takes great pride in maintaining a strong

relationship with its fighters throughout their fight careers and, as such, it is the intention of Dream Stage

Pictures to continue to maintain a strong relationship with fighters and to open the doors for them to explore

a new career when their fighting days are over.  

What the Fighters are Saying:

Kazushi Sakuraba: “I was so nervous that I asked the director to make my lines

shorter, as few as possible.  There was a scene where I had to have a stare down with

Tamaki’s character and that was the hardest thing for me because I don’t even stare

down my opponents in the ring when I really fight.”

Yoshihiro Takayama: “I didn’t get nervous at all.  I felt ok because I’m always fighting

in front of large audiences anyway.  In the movie I fought against Don Frye!  We actually

punched and hit each other seriously and I really think the audience will feel that it’s real

because it was.  I think the audience can enjoy the fight scenes on their own.”

Don Frye: “This is the third movie for me, but in the past I had just done cowboy roles

in westerns.  This movie is kind of like a Japanese version of a western and I thought it

was really cool.  I fought against Takayama again, just like in real life.  We fought for

real and we slugged it out.  At one point he gave me a serious big boot (laughing).”

Wanderlei Silva: “I’m very happy and honored to be involved.  This is like a totally new

challenge for me and it gives me an opportunity to explore other possibilities instead of

just being a fighter. “

Quinton Jackson: “The movie is really cool.  I think I may have decided what my

second career is!  I fought Sakuraba in this movie and I’m telling you it’s gonna look

real.  We really worked on it.  I think it may be the best scene in the movie.”

Nagurimono is expected to debut in September of 2004.

For more information on PRIDE FC, visit pridefc.com!

- From Dream Stage Entertainment (with a little editing from us - highlights, color, etc...)

(2/25/04)