How Ninja Assassin Choreography Missed the Mark and Left Him Singed

Burned and Disappointed: Sho Kosugi's Fiery Experience on the Set of Ninja Assassin

In a bombshell YouTube video, martial arts legend Sho Kosugi has dropped some jaw-dropping revelations about his time on the set of Ninja Assassin—and he’s not holding back! The 80s ninja icon, who starred alongside Rain in the 2009 action-packed flick, revealed that he was far from thrilled with the film’s choreography. Despite his extensive training in traditional martial arts like ninjutsu, karate and kendo, Kosugi confessed that the fight scenes in Ninja Assassin were a far cry from the real deal. According to Kosugi, the filmmakers opted for a flashy mix of taekwondo, kung fu, and swordplay that had little to do with the authentic ninja techniques he’s mastered over decades. The martial arts maestro even admitted that if he’d had his way, he would’ve started from scratch!

But that’s not all—Kosugi also revealed that the on-set conditions were nothing short of dangerous. In the film’s fiery final showdown, where Kosugi’s character goes head-to-head with Rain’s Raizo, the intense flames on set weren’t just for show. Kosugi, who was in his 60s at the time, got more than he bargained for when the scorching heat actually burned the hair on the back of his head! 

Fans of the martial arts legend are now left wondering what could have been if Kosugi had been given full control over the film’s action sequences. One thing’s for sure—Sho Kosugi’s experience on Ninja Assassin was a battle both on and off the screen!