The One (2001)

A rogue Multiverse agent goes on a manhunt for versions of himself, getting stronger with each kill. With only one version remaining, he races against the clock to finish him and become "The One."

Director:

James Wong

Writers:

Glen Morgan, James Wong

Stars:

Jet Li, Carla Gugino, Delroy Lindo

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jet Li	...	Gabe Law / Gabriel Yulaw / Lawless
Carla Gugino	...	T.K. Law / Massie Walsh
Delroy Lindo	...	MVA Agent Harry Roedecker / Gas Station Attendant
Jason Statham	...	MVA Agent Evan Funsch
James Morrison	...	LAPD Officer Bobby Aldrich / 'A' World Inmate #1
Dylan Bruno	...	Yates
Richard Steinmetz	...	D'Antoni
Steve Rankin	...	MVA Supervisor
Tucker Smallwood	...	Prison Warden
Harriet Sansom Harris	...	Nurse Besson
David Keats	...	MRI Technician
Dean Norris	...	Sgt. Siegel
Ron Zimmerman	...	Rotten Ronnie
Darin Morgan	...	Hugo
Mark Borchardt	...	Cesar

Storyline

There is not one universe, but there are many, which is a multiverse. Supposing you are just one person, there are many other versions of you in the other universes, there are ways to travel, but only a police agency, MVA, can travel only for police procedures. Gabriel Yulaw is a former MVA agent, who killed another version of himself in self-defense. It made the other versions of him stronger. When Yulaw found out about this, he became power-hungry killing the 122 other versions for two years. After killing Lawless and getting captured by his former partner Roedecker and a new MVA agent Funsch, Yulaw managed to escape the prison and is trying to kill his last target, Gabe Law who is a police officer. He is also at Yulaw's strength. Roedecker and Funsch now have to arrest Yulaw before he can kill Gabe. There is a possibility that the universe could die or make Yulaw invincible. After encountering Yulaw for the first time, Gabe thought that it was his split personality, but it wasn't. ...

---

Plot Keywords:

police | wrist restraints | sheriff | two word title | helicopter | 

---

Taglines:

In order to save the universe, he will have to fight the fiercest enemy he has ever faced...himself.

---

Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense action violence and some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

El único

Filming Locations:

Edison Generating Station, Redondo Beach, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$49,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,112,404, 4 November 2001, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$43,905,746, 16 December 2001

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$28,783,380

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revolution Studios, Hard Eight Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 85 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Dwayne Johnson ('The Rock') was attached to star, this film was known as The Rock Movie. When he left to work on The Mummy Returns (2001), it was listed for a short while as Untitled Sci-Fi Project, and when Jet Li came aboard, it became The One.

---

Goofs

In the first chase where the police of the Anubis Universe are chasing Yulaw, the first car goes under the partly raised garage door and hits its lights on it. The siren dies and the light and siren get broken off. When the car drives on, however, the top is sparking but the lights and siren are intact.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: There is not one universe. There are many: A multiverse. We have the technology to travel between universes, but travel is highly restricted and policed. There is not one you. There are many. Each of us exists in present time, in parallel universes. There was balance in the system, but now a force exists who seeks to destroy the balance so he can become The One.

---

Alternate Versions

German theatrical version was edited for violence to secure a "Not under 16" rating.

---

Connections

Referenced in FanboyFlicks, Bad Movies!: Kazaam (2012)

---

Soundtracks

Sinner
Written by Dave Williams, Mike Luce, C.J. Pierce and Stevie Benton
Performed by Drowning Pool
Courtesy of Wind-up Entertainment, Inc.

User Reviews

Li shows acting ability in sci-fi flick

The One is a martial-arts flick with strong sci-fi concepts. But the bottom line remains high-kicking action, and Jet Li delivers.

Li also shows his acting ability in this film. He displays that he can do more than one personality.

As Yulaw, he's a cold-blooded killer who lashes out with sudden fury and insolent superiority. As Gabe, he's a dutiful lawman and devoted husband. (Sin City's Carla Gugino plays his wife.) In the middle are Multiverse cops played by Delroy Lindo (Domino, Romeo Must Die) and Jason Statham (Crank), who lead a super supporting cast.

Director James Wong and his co-writer, Glen Morgan, are X-Files veterans who know their sci-fi. Choreographed by Cory Yuen (also of Li's Kiss of the Dragon), the best fight has Li battling himself, with each character using different techniques.

The One is one film whose far-out concept works.