Johnny Tri Nguyen returns with a film that solves the mystery of the tomb of Vietnam's first emperor.

(From right to left) Director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh, musician Quoc Trung, martial arts director Johnny Tri Nguyen, DOP K'Linh - Photo: Producer

According to information just released by BHD to the press on April 8, Guardian Spirit - The Mystery of King Dinh's Tomb is not only an action, historical film but also a journey back to the roots, to better understand the value of every inch of land, every day of life.

A day before, BHD, in collaboration with the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province and the Department of Culture and Sports of Ninh Binh province, organized a workshop on "Dinh Dynasty Costumes and Ancient Costumes" with the participation of five ancient costume consulting groups of the film crew.

The film is in pre-production. It is expected to start filming for 60 days in the last two months of this year and be released in the second quarter of 2026.

The film that Nguyen Phan Quang Binh has been nurturing for 10 years

Director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh shared that Ho Linh Trang Si is a film that he has cherished and pondered over for the past 10 years.

Once, by chance, on a trip to Ninh Binh , a boatman told the director a folk legend about the tomb of King Dinh Tien Hoang - the first emperor who laid the foundation for an independent Vietnam after more than 1,000 years of Chinese domination.

At that time, Nguyen Phan Quang Binh felt very proud and wanted to make a film inspired by that story.

"When I start making a movie, even a historical one, I encounter many obstacles, but making a historical movie is what I want to do," he said.

The Guardian Spirit opens a dramatic and emotional story.

After King Dinh Tien Hoang passed away, seven warriors were assigned a top secret mission: to race against time, confront hostile forces, and take the king's 100 coffins in seven different directions, deceiving the enemy who was plotting to destroy the tomb - a place believed to be the source of prosperity for the nation.

But what lies hidden within the coffins? Is it simply the body of the first emperor, or is there a greater secret that the seven warriors swore to protect?

Revolving around their journey, it is not only the battle with the enemy outside, but also the internal battle, where loyalty, love and sacrifice intertwine, creating a heroic ballad.

The film is today's tribute to the first emperor of Vietnam and the unknown soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect this sacred land.

Historian Duong Trung Quoc shares about the crew - Photo: NSX

Johnny Tri Nguyen returns to cinema

Guardian Spirit marks the return of director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh and musician Quoc Trung after the film Endless Field 15 years ago.

With Endless Field , Quoc Trung won the Golden Kite Award for music in 2010.

Johnny Tri Nguyen

In addition, the film also features the contributions of Johnny Tri Nguyen as martial arts director and DOP Nguyen K'Linh.

Known for his eye-catching martial arts moves in Bloodline , Dragon Trap , and impressive appearances in Hollywood films like Cradle 2 the Grave and Da 5 Bloods , Johnny Tri Nguyen is a guarantee of action in the film Guardian Spirit.

Johnny Tri Nguyen said in this movie, he "doesn't want to repeat any movie, the action must be really new, leaving an impression on the audience after watching it".

DOP Nguyen K'Linh is one of the "golden photographers" of Vietnamese cinema, behind the dreamy frames in I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass, Glorious Ashes , and most recently, Tunnel: Dark Sun.

Documents about this period, especially ancient costumes, are extremely limited.

Five groups participated in researching Dinh Dynasty costumes and ancient costumes for the film, including Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Dong (of Dai Viet Co Phong and Vietnam Center), Pham Thu Hang and artists Cao Viet Nguyen (Kinh Bac Legacy), Nam Thanh Phan (Green Hair and Ao Dai), Duong Pham Tri (Chieu Minh Cac) and Vu Duc (Great Vietnam).

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/johnny-tri-nguyen-tro-lai-voi-bo-phim-giai-ma-bi-an-lang-mo-hoang-de-dau-tien-cua-nuoc-viet-20250408165852918.htm