Kenpo Sequel: What Happened to Perfect Weapon 2? (with Jeff Speakman)

[@willnichols6246]

For me, the Perfect Weapon was one of my favorite martial arts movies. Jeff Speakman was an incredible artist turned actor.

[@carlobella1850]

It’s not just the ultimate kenpo film it is one of the best 80s 90s martial arts genre movies of all times. These were movies that were done with a low budget and still have a cult following to this day! And Jeff is actually a real martial artist.. in my opinion he has updated kenpo better than anybody!

[@MaxMordecai-qg5rd]

I never heard of these styles until I dropped out of high school then I came up on a list of styles that I never even heard of but saw before I learned of them in movies

[@MaxMordecai-qg5rd]

This one is awesome I would love to see another kenpo movie Jeff Speakman you not that old man and even if you are that doesn't matter look at all the other older actors do movies

[@strikingmachine2975]

Mr Speakman is a great, Martial Artist, and he had the It Factor on the big screen. Unfortunately, some idiotic producers kept this man away from making big budget movies, during his prime years..

[@carlobella1850]

@@strikingmachine2975 if you ever listen to Sheldon Lettich, he produced a lot of 80s and 90s martial arts films.. he basically explained when they went away from those type of actors to mainstream actors like Keanu Reeves, and teaching them martial arts instead. This is right from the horses mouth.. you can watch his interviews with the Viking samurai here on KZbin. Dan should get him on.

[@MaxMordecai-qg5rd]

Yeah well there is always a way he can produce his own movies

[@thelurker9472]

I so warms my heart that Mr. Speakman is doing well.

[@AchtungBaby77]

And still looking like a bad ass!

[@glide789]

Shame Jeff never made it big like Van Damme and Seagal. He had so much potential. He had the looks, acting skills and of course martial arts skills.

[@JoeBuck207]

He should have been in his own tv series like Chuck Norris Texas Walker.

[@wesmartyn3829]

One of my favorite movies of all time. Jeff is truly, a master.

[@hancehinerman8099]

Great job sir on another perfect interview 🙏 Grandmaster Speakman is a true warrior 🥋❤️

[@xtream5productions56]

The Scene with Master Po touched me because is a Master talking to His Student , because when a master had a student for a long time is pretty much like family " You dont see half of the things I taught you , you only a Tiger, taught you the dragon you don't see it "

[@TorridDesign]

I had the distinct pleasure to work out with Mr. Tanaka as a young Kenpo student, and it's a memory I'll never forget. A true professional in every right.

[@combatsportsarchive7632]

My younger self was inspired by Jeff Speakman's "Perfect Weapon" movie. So I later sought out various forms of Kenpo/Kempo on YT and then evaluate which ones actually focus on full contact fighting. The more practical ones I could find are Igari Genshu's Nippon Kempo Kyokai, Nippon Kempo Kakuto and John Hackleman's Hawaiian Kempo.

[@davidfausel9029]

Another great interview. Nice job! Much respect to Mr. Speakman as always. Love that guy.

[@bethelacademyofmartialarts3966]

Great interview, ahhhh perfect weapon 2 what might have been

[@artlapham6380]

It's been years since I've seen or spoken to Jeff and so I really enjoy these videos. Thanks.

[@Scorch1028]

In defense of the character Jeff Sanders not being able to beat Tanaka with his fists and feet alone, Tanaka used a deadly weapon against the unarmed Jeff. Tanaka was easily frustrated facing a skilled opponent who he couldn't easily beat to death, like all of his past victims. So, Tanaka removed his belt which had a "knife buckle" attached to it, and threw it at Jeff, slicing his arm. Then, after missing Tanaka with the knife belt, Jeff picked up a broken segment of chain and hurled it a gas tank, which caused it to explode. I would argue that once Tanaka pulled out his knife belt, that Jeff was well within bounds, picking up whatever weapon he could find to even the odds. Jeff Sanders' Kenpo didn't fail, because it was his opponent who couldn't face him unarmed.

[@aaronpaulo7533]

Nah they were just ripping off gold finger with this fight

[@Soldier-of-God.]

I definitely would have liked to see a sequel to Master Jeff Speakman's 1990s cult classic The Perfect Weapon. In fact personally I would have liked to see it, as a trilogy. How intriguing that Speed was originally intended for Master Jeff Speakman, however it went eventually to Keanu Reeves, of which Master Jeff Speakman has mentioned incorporating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into his Kenpo 5.0 system, nowadays Keanu Reeves has become an avid practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and features heavily in his John Wick films along with other martial arts combat styles. I definitely growing up in the 1990s, wanted both the tiger and the dragon rings, both featured in the film as I think they would have been awesome merchandise. By the way if I am not mistaken the gentleman who portrayed the role of Master Lo in The Perfect Weapon film, was he not also the Japanese Ninja Master of Michael Dudikoff's character in the American Ninja film? Sensei Dan it would have been interesting if you could have been able to interview Sifu James Lew, featured in The Perfect Weapon, as well as the first Best Of The Best film, as one of its antagonists. He definitely has an intriguing martial arts background, along with a lengthy resume of stunt and choreography credits, for such classic films as Lethal Weapon 4 and Big Trouble In Little China. It is a pity Master Jeff Speakman was unable to continue his Hollywood film career, nevertheless I am glad that his Kenpo Karate martial arts career has continued to flourish until the present time. Thank you for such great interviews Sensei Dan looking forward as always to your future Art Of One Dojo projects 🇲🇽 🥋 Osu!

[@barrettokarate]

Toru Tanaka wasn't just a former pro-werstler, he was also a judoka and Danzan-ryu jujitsu practitioner and army veteran. He was a legit tough guy. 14:58 Good old (young), Capt. Olivia Benson. 20:32 _"What's his name...Keanu Reeves"_ I feel like there might be a little bitterness still. If Jeff had taken a little longer to say Keanu's name, then I could believe that he had forgotten his name, but he came back way too quickly. Or if it had been a guy who had fallen of the Hollywood radar, but not a megastar like Reeves. Usually, that's kind of like a little verbal jab at someone. That phrase just really stuck out for me.

[@aaronpaulo7533]

Oh yeah he’s definitely a very bitter man. Go watch his interview with Scott adkins he makes some very disrespectful comments about van damme saying how the guys not a real martial artist and he doesn’t look anywhere near as good as him on film etc 😊

[@dracoknights2340]

I wish they would have kenpo 5.0 here in Northern Kentucky. Thank you for the interview with Master Speakman, I absolutely love the movie Perfect weapon. I had a little bit of training in Shaolin Kenpo under Sensi Jim Brown but that was about 25 yrs ago. I would love to see the style brought back and to get back in

[@dracoknights2340]

Oh I am the year of the tiger and 2024 is year of the Dragon, I find that very interesting, my goal is to someday start a system called Draco-ki-do ( the way of the dragon) I have started a channel called Draco Knights, it's purpose is to have the attributes of knighthood while utilizing dragon energy.

[@timkittle5418]

Thanks, Dan. You have really brought out the Jeff Speakman that hasn't been available for public consumption. I am a JS fan AND afan of your channel.

[@PaulMcDowell-bg3tq]

Fellow kempo artists rejoice. Speakman made our ring famous and I am so happy he is doing well and very proud to be a holder of this beautiful ring myself.

[@Alecsweet3057]

I would like to start off by saying as a student of Kempo myself that this was a beautiful and awesome interview between Sensei Speakman and yourself the answers the things from the movie that I had questions about this totally answered everything and I just want to say thank you to both use for letting us watch this interview and for setting everything straight for those who like myself was wondering these techniques in the movie

[@raymondpinsky1103]

I had an interest in Eastern Philosophy. Started reading Thomas Cleary and Eva Wong. There's seem to be a connection in reference to the Chinese thought (philosophy).

[@RedSplinter36]

Jeff speakman has been a major part of my martial arts journey and childhood... he doesn't even know how deeply rooted he is in my family's martial journey. Truly a legend and Grandmaster. Thank you so much for doing all you do brother. P.s. I've been in contact with Rain and if you ever need a connection in the Kali and FMA world I'm always available.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Very cool, Rain is a good friend :)

[@10oneluv10]

Thank you Jeff Speakman for giving us The Perfect Weapon. I have been studying Kenpo for almost 2 decades, and The Perfect Weapon was the reason why I selected Kenpo as a discipline, and I feel I made the right decision. You did a spectacular job of showing how cool Kenpo can look, in addition to showing how practical it is as well. I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that real Kenpo techniques were used in some of the action scenes. Great life lessons such as showing mercy even though we have the power to enact revenge were highlighted and I feel that was very important to do so.

[@SeabrookMartialArtsAcademy]

What a great interview. I really like Mr. Speakman's discussion on the tiger and dragon, as well as the brilliance of Ed Parker to see things within fighting techniques that others could not.

[@HwaRang1970]

Phenomenal, as usual!

[@tommartin1223]

Thank you both...great interview

[@clinthosking6444]

Regarding the tiger/dragon symbolism. He uses his brain rather than his fists to beat Tanaka. With fire!

[@alexrain1188]

Great interview. So sad we didn’t get more Perfect Weapon.

[@jezza24]

Love being apart of Mr speakmans organisation am a purple belt new year resolution is to push for blue belt and continue to spread the word of kenpo 5.0 of where I live 👍

[@dninja6657]

Loved it n own the DVD , Jeffs a BMfr 🕶️🤙☯️🏆

[@armand531]

It's on bluray now. It looks amazing and has deleted scenes and interviews.

[@AngloSaxon1]

Love this channel, I really like the way you talk about different martial arts and their histories. I really liked the videos on different Kempo/Kenpo styles.

[@willyglover657]

This movie was the reason why I took kenpo, have lived my life on some of these philosophies

[@willyglover657]

Started practicing in 95

[@jonathanrayne]

Damn, Speakman should've been HUGE!!!!

[@Stamatos]

The extended cut of this film deserves a 4k restoration.

[@discutio]

Fun fact. I'm from Argentina and over here Street Knight was released back in the day in VHS as The Perfect Weapon 2. This was pre-internet and no information was available as it is today, so I found out years later that it was a completely different movie. The character's name wasn't the same, it was a different style of action also... so the evidence was right there, but a was a kid and just wanted to see Speakman in action... So in my mind, it was a sequel and some part of me still believes it, hahaha.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That is very interesting, I didn't know it was released like that. Yes, they are very different stories but I can see how Street Knight can sometimes feel like a Perfect Weapon 2.

[@SamCobb]

You should totally do a video comparing Ed Parkers original 24 technique ciriculam to the Kenpo we have today.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

We covered that in our Evolution of American Kenpo episode :) There isn't much to compare other than the techniques are in a different order and some of them changed in terms of minor details that only Kenpoists would really see the difference of.

[@SamCobb]

In the future I hope your able to do interviews like this with Larry Tatum and Lee Wedlake, to see what insight they have into american Kenpo.

[@jamalsoward8404]

Jeff Speakman did a movie called Street Knight.

[@colinblake24]

As a practitioner of Hapkido, I would love to see Kenpo 5.0 come to Annapolis, Maryland.

[@andresgutierrez3039]

I want some t-shirts how & how much

[@ArtofOneDojo]

www.artofonedojo.com/store We have several to choose from :)

[@clarklavasarnio2408]

He needs way more recognition for his acting career.

[@errolthomas9426]

It would be totally cool to see Kempoists/Kenpoists Jeff Speakman, Benny The Jet Urquidez, Mark Dacascos, Nia Peebles, Christine Bannon-Rodrigues, and a few others get together and make a Kempo/Kenpo film. Sou 🥋👊🏽🐉🐅

[@felipeaugustomartins2490]

THE GREAT MOVIE .. THE ACTOR OF MARCIAL ARTS ...OSS👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊

[@adam28171]

I think a second movie with bigger budget would have been great and more successful! BUT only if new fight scenes were developed. Seagal got known for a certain couple of techniques and every film you just know what happens in the fight scene before it happens. If the fight choreography was varied and not so many high kicks that all other 80’s martial movies got stuck in the same mode of doing, I think the fast hand techniques of Kempo could of attracted a massive audience and student enrolment. The fact the knife and stick were also used makes it very appealing. The sad part of not making a second movie was also that most people thought real fights were high kicking, multiple opponents that attack one at a time, were Kempo could of brought something new and more honest to the viewers as well as martial arts audiences. This in turn would have made the arrival of UFC style v style events not so shocking to what more realistic fighting is instead of everyone believing the Hollywood BS they had seen for decades in movies.

[@Andy_wwe_browns]

I first thought jeff speakman was Don Johnson, but I was like, ten years old.

[@mizukarate]

Are there any 5.0 classes in NYC?

[@kirkbrooks9447]

Look at the movie "Sound of Freedom" it took years after completion to get that off the shelf and into theaters simply because people in charge were afraid of it's religious themes. They bury things that scare them and the actors, and the rest of the crew take the metaphorical hit. In that industry there's not a lot of career rebounds, a couple of decisions go against you and you're out.

[@Livefreealways]

Jeff what do you think of Kimura Shukokai Karate? Thx

[@Liamrunsnstuff21]

Not related but a martial art question nevertheless. Let’s just say I’m a green belt at one American Kenpo school but then I transfer too a different school. Would I still be able to progress at another school. Yes it might be the same curriculum if they do go by Ed Parker but also I feel like some schools promote differently and have a different style of teaching. I hope this question makes sense. Thanks ☺️!

[@josephshehan4969]

Yes! some schools teach differently.😊

[@ArtofOneDojo]

This is definitely a school by school basis, but most of the time what happens is if you go to a school of the same style what TYPICALLY happens is they let you wear the same belt you earned, but you might have a catch up period of getting you up to speed to their version or to make sure you are at the same standing as the school and then progress from there. If you're switching different types of Kenpo, there is a fair chance they will make you start at while belt again, which they should if the material is different. But if you're going from one American Kenpo school to another, then generally (and it depends on the instructor) you just have an acclimation period to adjust to the new curriculum. Number of techniques, order of techniques, and versions of techniques will be different from one school to the next.

[@Livefreealways]

Btw: Sensei S Kimura was a fan of Kenpo! Said it had a logical purpose!

[@bababooey8688]

Jeff Speakman was a TOTAL BADASS. Great action movie star. I only wish he did a lot more movies. He would have been PERFECT for the film SPEED. Maybe call it PERFECT SPEED. I respect Keanu Reeves but a mannequin shows more emotion than him.

[@danielrumbos9143]

Sería genial

[@thehappinessclause6801]

I would love to see Toru Tanaka's jujutsu waza footage. Not movie footage. He was a really talented man but is often portrayed as just a brute.

[@geoffrobinson7104]

The Perfect Weapon was a great movie both plot and demonstrating Ed Parker Kenpo. As for The Perfect Weapon 2 and why no followup..... Ed Parker died 15 Dec 1990. Just after production finished and before the movie was finalized and put to the public. With Ed Parker's death, all the big dogs in the system started selfishly fighting over who would take over the system and they lost the opportunity for a sequel.

[@randyp-38ace53]

It’s a 90’s 🧀 cheese karate flick. The second movie wouldn’t have been half as good without Ed Parker on set. Point proven by the rest of Speakmans movies.

[@sixtiezlove346]

While we're on the topic of fictional depictions of martial arts, it has occurred to me that while you feature Batman as a character of interest to analyze, why haven't you also looked into Green Arrow? This "second rate Batman" is a character that is actually far more interesting in the realistic sense. I can more readily believe that a Green Arrow can exist than a Batman.

[@LaurenceOConnor-fg4dk]

Still time to make "Lethal Weapon 2". Set up a gofundme to finance it.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

You mean Perfect Weapon 2? There IS a Lethal Weapon 2 (I LOVE that series).

[@LaurenceOConnor-fg4dk]

@@ArtofOneDojo Yes, "Perfect Weapon 2". I apologise for my error.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

@@LaurenceOConnor-fg4dk No apologies necessary! I'd LOVE to see a Perfect Weapon 2....AND Lethal Weapon 5 :D

[@darienflanagan853]

The ring tiger and the dragon so true

[@fredricclack7137]

Belts 🇺🇸: Decades! ☯️

[@tsan3796]

Paramount about to go belly up - Sony planning on buying them out

[@1683clifton]

It was always the ground.

[@christophervelez1561]

Yooooo

[@vikingkombat9389]

Well, he got screwed from a company buy out in the film industry. And continued to try and perfect American Kenpo. They are pretty much on Kenpo 5.2 now. Yesr they have brought in the ground game.

[@4AM_DJ]

I saw the podcast. His next blockbuster should have been the movie Speed

[@jerryfounsville6603]

But I would think most people on interesting you fight down on the ground they would rather see all the fancy stuff fighting up on their feet at least now we know all of the reasons why The Perfect Weapon 2 was never really I think they still should have let you make the movie because they would have made a lot of money

[@TheSuperGringo]

Looking at woke Hollywood today, I think Master Speakman is happier teaching martial arts. Just saying.

[@cjsher90]

Hot Boyz is the true sequel

[@marcomolinero5877]

That dude looks like Chael Sonnen

[@tommartin1223]

Yay..im first

[@GothamKnight84661]

You want a cookie and a gold star?

[@TheHitDat]

We don’t need a part 2 ppl

[@ArtofOneDojo]

At this point no, but it's still fun to imagine what it could have been since it almost happened.

[@jokerfleckcast3196]

🎉 still pisses me off no end as to why Speakman was never given the film roles he deserved. The dude could legit act better than segal. Unlucky guy.

[@tsan3796]

Not about whose the better actor (or a martial artist) the downside is segal was a brand name at the time and had popular films released The studios want one thing …Asses in theater seats how hollyweird works Today not same young generations don’t go to theaters its all on a phone

[@jokerfleckcast3196]

@@tsan3796 true, segal was a household name, bit i think Speakman just had terrible luck.

[@tsan3796]

Better question Why the director/producers didn't cast Ed Parker as the Kenpo Master (esp being the Founder/fight choreographer) that was a travesty missed historical opportunity his art and himself preserved that Legacy on film would have been the "perfect ending" Yes Jeff was by far more capable acting and believable and can deliver lines better then the wife cheater and not a jackass on set either. I work in this industry and captured fights for decades and amazes me how bad actors are at trying to fight on screen or opposite how bad fighters are at acting ( i.e recently Conor McGregor in remake of Roadhouse) Jeff most likely didn't have an agency to fight for his potential or studios which is mostly the reason they decided to pass up his film deal based on his drawing power. Had he been a world title fighter then yeah they would have made more majors for him Segal just sold BS to producers that short run is over look where he is now !

[@dninja6657]

" Odd Job's" No Joke for Real lol 🫸🤛 , ☯️🏆

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Odd Job was played by Harold Sakata, who looked very much like Professor Tanaka and was also a wrestler.

[@dninja6657]

@@ArtofOneDojo remember he used to do "Vicks formula 44" commercials in the 70s 🕶️🤙🏆

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That was a little before my time but I had to look them up. Good stuff!

[@dninja6657]

@@ArtofOneDojo lol right 🕶️🤙