Film · TMDB
6.3Two warring gang families (one African-American, the other Chinese) maneuver for bragging rights to the Oakland, California docks. Hang Sing and Trish O'Day uncover a trail of deceit that leaves most of the warring factions dead... or worse!
Released: 2000-03-22115 minDir: Andrzej BartkowiakAction, Crime, ThrillerBudget: $25.0MBox office: $91.0M
Cast
- Jet Li as Han Sing
- Aaliyah as Trish O'Day
- Isaiah Washington as Mac
- Russell Wong as Kai
- Delroy Lindo as Isaak O'Day
- D. B. Woodside as Colin O'Day
Themes
- martial arts
- hip-hop
- oakland, california
Article
Romeo Must Die is a 2000 American action film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak in his directorial debut, and features fight choreography by Corey Yuen. The film stars Jet Li, Aaliyah (in her film debut), Isaiah Washington, Russell Wong, DMX, and Delroy Lindo. The film marks Aaliyah's only film that was released during her lifetime, before she was killed in a plane crash one year later. The plot is loosely related to William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, transplanted to contemporary Oakland with African American and Chinese-American gangs representing the feuding families.
Frustrated by the lack of originality in Hollywood action films, producer Joel Silver built the film around Hong Kong action films. He cast established Hong Kong actor Jet Li following his role in Lethal Weapon 4. R&B singer Aaliyah was cast and sang the soundtrack's lead single "Try Again" which topped the US Billboard Hot 100.