As martial artists go, Ong-Bak star Panom Yeerum (a.k.a. Tony Jaa) is up there with legends like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Trained in Muay Thai, Krabi Krabong, Stick, Sword, Pencak Silat, Capoeira and Wushu, he’s one of the world’s most versatile and deadly human beings. Anyone who’s seen his films will know that he’s fascinating to watch in action, and later this year we’ll get to play as him is his very own, combat-intensive IP.

Thailand-based developer Studio HIVE  announced yesterday that it has secured videogame license rights to the next instalment of the Ong-Bak movie series, and is currently working on a multiplatform title in close collaboration with motion picture production company Sahamongkol Film International.

Akarapol Techaratanaprasert, Business Development Director at SFI had this to say:

“Ong-Bak is well known as a powerful international martial arts brand. We are very selective with our licensing partners and found in Studio HIVE the right partner to bring Ong-Bak to gaming platforms. Their approach to tie in movie and game is the right way to create a perfect interactive entertainment.”

HIVE’s General Manager Kan Supabanpot added:

“It’s a great honour for our team to work on the very first Ong-Bak multiplatform game. As a Thai development studio we love the movie and have a deep understanding of the Ong-Bak brand values and we make sure that the videogame will be an inspiring martial arts action experience for gamers.”

We’re lead to believe that the Ong-Bak game will arrive on PS3, Xbox 360 and other platforms before the end of 2012. Keep coming back to PS3Vault for updates.