Tak Sakaguchi Joins Iko Uwais in ‘Pendekar: Warrior’ as Nemesis (EXCLUSIVE)
Japanese action star Tak Sakaguchi has been cast as the nemesis of Iko Uwais in the upcoming martial-arts film "Pendekar: Warrior," marking his first major role outside Japan. The casting unites two performers from different fighting disciplines who have never previously appeared on screen together, with filming due to start in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Sakaguchi is best known for cult films such as "Versus" and "Re:Born," and for a 77-minute single-take fight sequence against roughly 400 opponents in "Crazy Samurai Musashi." Uwais, celebrated for "The Raid" films, "Headshot" and "Mile 22," will star as a former silat master drawn back into violence after leaving prison, in a story set in Jakarta that aims to showcase Indonesian silat internationally. The film is produced by Asia Media Alliance Group with Nation Pictures, Yeti Entertainment and Red Packet Media, with Uwais serving as executive producer through his own company.
In short
- Tak Sakaguchi cast as Iko Uwais's rival in "Pendekar: Warrior"
- His first major role outside Japan; shooting starts Q4 2026
- Jakarta-set film aims to showcase Indonesian silat globally
Explained simply
Silat is a family of martial arts from Indonesia and nearby parts of Southeast Asia, combining fighting techniques with movement and, in some traditions, dance. Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, is the setting for this film, which is intended to bring silat to a wider international audience.
Iko Uwais is an Indonesian actor and martial artist known for action films including The Raid. In this story, he plays a former silat master who returns to violence after prison; Japanese actor Tak Sakaguchi, known for films such as Versus and Re:Born, plays his adversary.
The film brings together performers associated with different fighting styles. Uwais is also an executive producer, alongside production companies from Indonesia and elsewhere in Asia.
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