Daniel Bernhardt (Daniel Bernhardt) was born in Bern, Switzerland. Before his screen debut in “Bloodsport 2”, he enjoyed success with top designers while working as a male model. The sequel received cult status, and Mr. Bernhardt was hailed as the rising star of his generation. Viewers around the world recognize him by sight after his role as the evil Agent Johnson from the film “The Matrix Reloaded”. Mister Bernhardt Over the course of his 15-year career, he starred in more than 20 films. He recently made his debut as a writer and director with his short film "Fetch", which received flattering reviews from viewers (see previous publication).
How did you manage to “break through” into the film industry?
Daniel Bernhardt: I was 28 years old; lived in New York, worked part-time as a model, and then I was invited to audition for an advertisement for Versace. It was shot by the famous photographer Bruce Weber, and the main character was Jean-Claude Van Damme. They looked for models who had previously practiced martial arts. So I was chosen to film the fight with Van Damme. I was really excited because I've always been a big fan of his. We shot the commercial in 1992, and I absolutely loved fighting in front of the camera. I put together a demo reel of myself working out in the gym, hanging out on the beach and working out with my friends. I sent it out and got a call from Mark DiSalle, the producer of Bloodsport and Kickboxer. He said, “I want you to do Bloodsport 2.” I immediately thought it was a prank call and hung up. Ultimately, I flew to Los Angeles and met with Mark. He spoke very flatteringly about my demo reel and categorically insisted that I star in the sequel to “Bloodsport.” As a result, Mark did not participate in the project, but thus I was chosen to replace Van Damme.
Were you at all afraid to play the role that made Van Damme a superstar?
Daniel Bernhardt: To be honest, I wasn't scared. I regarded this as a new challenge from fate. I really liked Van Damme's films back then. His popularity at that time was growing more and more, and he could not take part in the continuation. I was very honored to be asked to replace him. I realized that I had been given an amazing opportunity and began to prepare as best I could for the role. It took a lot of time to study the craft of acting. Preparation included diction lessons, acting lessons and a fair amount of intense training.
For the role of Alex Cardo in Bloodsport 2, did you have to study martial arts?
Daniel Bernhardt: I started studying martial arts at the age of 15. So when I was cast, I already had skills in kickboxing, kung fu and taekwondo. I trained under the great master Hee Il Cho, who is still my close friend and mentor to this day. I have always been good at kicks, and they told me that Master Cho can improve their quality significantly. It was thanks to my martial arts skills that I was chosen to play Van Damme's opponent. Therefore, they play a very important role in my career.
Looking back, do you consider your first screen debut a little naive?
Daniel Bernhardt: I owe my breakthrough into the film industry to “Bloodsport 2.” When I first arrived in Los Angeles, I was neither an actor nor a screen fighter; I was a former male model with dreams of becoming an actor. Bloodsport 2 ultimately took 2 years to complete. Throughout this time, I trained twice a day and took acting lessons at night. So in 1995, when we shot the film in Bangkok, Thailand, I was more prepared than ever. It was the most unusual experience of my life, I must say it was truly crazy. Imagine, I’m in Thailand, on the set, saying: “Teacher, send me to fight in kumite.” I couldn't believe it, and I was like a kid in a candy store. However, everything was not so simple. The producers and director were new, there was some roughness, but overall it was a lot of fun.
In Bloodsport 4 you returned to the screens, but it looked like you were playing a completely different character from the previous two parts. Can you comment on this somehow?
Daniel Bernhardt: It was extremely strange. To be honest, I didn't want to do Bloodsport 4. They changed the character, and besides, I didn’t like the plot. I was offered a very strange script, and the whole project was a little bizarre. However, I was obliged to film there because of the contract. I must say, there was something positive in this project: there I met my [future] wife Lisa Stothard. There is a reason for everything in life. I was forced to do the movie, and I tell people, Bloodsport 4 is a little different, there's no other way to put it.
In “Bloodsport 4” you faced Stefanos Miltsakakis in the final battle. Stefanos is one of the most compelling screen villains of all time. Is he the same in real life?
Daniel Bernhardt: Stefanos and I have been friends for a long time. I always liked his work and his specific appearance. So I asked him to star with me in Bloodsport 4. Very cool guy. When we finished filming our fight, we both had more than one injury. One day we filmed for 15 hours straight. I knocked out his shoulder and he hurt my knee. Despite this, the entire choreography was recreated, and if you watch how we threw each other, the reason why we survived then may seem like a real miracle. Once he hit me while sitting on top, and I missed a couple of blows. Yes, and I kissed myself a couple of times. This happens in films of this genre. We left the set like two warriors limping after a battle, but we both knew that the fight scene turned out great.
Did you have any injuries while filming films with such physical stress?
Daniel Bernhardt: There were never any serious injuries on the set. I never broke any bones or anything like that. But I will say that after each film you feel like a person who has returned from the battlefield. Typically, recovery after filming takes a month or two. For example, in Bloodsport 4, I had a really bad injury after I overdid it on a roundhouse kick and strained my muscles when my foot hit my ribcage. This is not a very pleasant thing; if you pull such muscles, you end up not being able to move normally. I couldn't turn from side to side, I could hardly sit in a chair. He was injured just when they started filming the fight scenes. Therefore, in order to make me feel a little better, I had to postpone production for a week. I am left-handed, and it was my left leg that was injured. If you think back and rewatch the movie, you will notice that I only use my right leg. I had to use a special bandage to keep my ribs from coming apart. That's why I don't take my T-shirt off during fights.
When I was filming “The Matrix Reloaded,” I suffered a very serious injury to my hip ligaments in a fight with Keanu Reeves. I was injured, essentially, while still in rehearsal; there were three days left before filming. After the 50th take [!!!], I strained my ligaments so much that I could hardly lift my leg. I found a chiropractor, wrapped it as best I could, and iced it overnight. I strained more than one muscle and ligament in this film. Usually I had to use a lot of ice. But you shouldn’t complain, you accept it and continue. To me it's like battle scars.
In your films you are always in excellent physical shape. Is it difficult to maintain her during filming?
Daniel Bernhardt: It's difficult because during production you start to lose weight. To prepare for a film, I train properly and maintain a strict schedule with a varied diet and routine. So it's easy for me to stay in good shape. But as soon as filming begins, everything turns into complete chaos. It's really crazy, sometimes you have to spend 15-18 hours on set. Maintaining weight in this case becomes a real problem for me. When I was filming Bloodsport 2, both brothers helped me. During training, they brought me food or protein lunches every 3 hours. They even appeared in the film as fighters. The trick is this: before filming the episode with a naked torso, I did push-ups to look “pumpier” in front of the camera. In addition, I had to follow a strict diet consisting of chicken, rice and vegetables. Every day for three months I ate only this kind of food.
You got into the film business. What influenced or impressed you so much?
Daniel Bernhardt: I've always liked movies. As a child, I really loved coming to the cinema and sitting in this dark room. When the curtain opened and the film began, it was as if I had been transported to another world. My whole life is connected with films. I grew up watching old action movies like “18 Steps of Shaolin” and Bruce Lee movies. Was an avid fan of Bruce Lee; I must have watched his films a hundred times. Because of him, I took up martial arts. Later I enjoyed watching films with Van Damme and Steven Seagal. When I was younger I liked them. I consider myself a film buff because I love watching even mediocre films.
Who do you admire in terms of acting?
Daniel Bernhardt: My attention has always been focused on the actors of the “older” generation. Guys like Paul Newman, Montgomery Cliff, Marlon Brando and James Dean. I like these types of actors. The actors of the 40s, 50s, 60s were real “men”.
Which director's style inspires you?
Daniel Bernhardt: Tarantino, Rodriguez, Guy Ricci, Ridley and Tony Scott are very inspiring. I look to them for inspiration. Many people have told me that my directorial debut, Fetch, is very reminiscent of the work of Guy Ricci. And I'm proud of it.
The short film “Fetch” is your directorial debut. You also wrote the script and handled the financing. Can you tell us something about this project?
Daniel Bernhardt: It was creative work. I created the characters, wrote the script, produced and directed. Fetch is a private detective. He does the search, that's his job. What you see in the film is exactly what I wrote. The main theme is the missing dog, it is what connects everything else, which is why I called the film “Fetch”. I'm working on turning the film into a feature film or possibly a television series. Business is very tough these days. It's difficult to raise money. I'm interested in this, but so far nothing has worked out. At the moment I am holding negotiations with two companies that are extremely interested in making a full-length film. If we're even a little lucky, we'll start filming the full version next year.
Have you completed work on the script for the feature-length version?
Daniel Bernhardt: I've already written a full-length script and I think we need to stick to the short film style because the audience reaction has been so positive. The character's versatility allowed me to easily increase the length of the film from 20 minutes. up to 90 min.
Renowned stuntman/actor David Leitch played the title role. I think he was just great. Are you going to cast Mr. Leitch as the lead in the feature version?
Daniel Bernhardt: I couldn't agree with you more. David is a good friend of mine and I really liked the way he played. I've seen his work over the years and always thought he was a good actor. I believe he “ruined” this role in the sense that now I can’t imagine any other actor in the image of Fetch. If David has the opportunity, I would happily cast him in a feature film. He really helped us with our creative approach, and I think it's very important for a director to be inspired by those around him. David was with me on set for 18 hours a day. I would go into battle with such a comrade.
The choice is obvious; however, why did you decide not to star in this film?
Daniel Bernhardt: I initially toyed with the idea of playing the lead role. But I realized that this is madness! I will be directing my first film, and at the same time playing the main role. I met a friend and he recommended David to me. In the end, I was very pleased with the fact that I agreed to David; the director’s duties were already difficult. During the four days of filming, I barely slept, I was very tired and on edge. The short naps were interrupted by thoughts of what I might have forgotten or new plot ideas. It was a crazy time.
In the film you appeared in a cameo role as our hero’s enemy. Was it for fun?
Daniel Bernhardt: The only reason I agreed to do this episode was because the extras were bored and needed to be cheered up. I walked up to them and said, “Come on guys, pretend this is an episode of Braveheart.”
At the end of the film there is a fight in which the main character fights a female fighter. She is gorgeous. Who played this role?
Daniel Bernhardt: Her name is Bridget Riley and she's amazing. She's a world champion kickboxer and we thought it would be funny if she kicked the crap out of Fetch.
The fight choreographer in your film was Chad Stahelski. You have collaborated with Mr. Stahelski more than once. Can you describe your professional relationship?
Daniel Bernhardt: I met Chad Stahelski in Bloodsport 2. There he was a stuntman. We did a fight scene together and he asked if I would mind if he came up with the choreography for it. I was so impressed that we hired him to choreograph all the fights in Bloodsport 3. I made 4 films with Chad, and then we met again in The Matrix Reloaded. Chad doubled for Keanu Reeves, so the two of us, under the direction of Yen Woo Ping, spent many hours working. Chad is now a very well known and respected second cast director and fight coordinator, he is simply amazing. The stunt team “87Eleven” is one of the most popular, they performed all the stunts for the film.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Author: Jason Rugaard
Source: moviemavericks.com
Translation: EvilDollaR
I've always liked this actor, thanks for the interview! :)
Cool guy! I remember it perfectly from my favorite series Mortal Kombat as Shiro!
It would be nice to know the date of this interview
November 16, 2010
Thanks a lot. Little is written about him, I thought he was no longer acting in films =)
For me, Bloodsport 2 was not considered a good film, probably because the first part is one of my 3 favorite films, but it is by far his best work. Although, apart from Bloody Sports 2-3-4 parts, I practically haven’t seen it anywhere.
Great interview.
I'm looking forward to part 2.