Rain cast in wachowski brothers’ “Ninja Assassin”

“The Matrix” creators, brothers Larry and Andy Wachowski, have set South Korean pop star-turned-actor Rain, aka Jung Ji-hoon, to star in their next feature, “Ninja Assassin.”

Now shooting in Berlin until July, the Warner Bros. is produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowskis, with “V for Vendetta” helmer James McTeigue directing. The martial arts extravaganza stars Rain as a man brought up in an orphanage functioning as a ninja farm. The man turns his back on his tradition to make his way in the modern world, which brings him into conflict with a ninja (Rick Yune) from the clan.  The film also stars Naomie Harris (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”).

Rain plays a supporting role in the Wachowskis’ recent hit “Speed Racer.” He also starred in Park Chan-wook’s 2007 Berlin Competition entry “I’m a Cyborg, but That’s OK.” The singer’s other upcoming activities include various music events tied to the Beijing Olympics.

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Ninja Assassin” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Entertainment Company.