Beware, there is a major spoiler at the end of the interview. ;)
UPDATE: Added a new trailer
Why did you agree to film “Shaolin”?
Nicholas Tse: My criteria for choosing films is actually very simple. First, creators must be passionate about their work on the project. Secondly, I have to like the script. Also, I was thinking: I've been in this genre for a long time, but I still haven't had the opportunity to work with Andy Lau, so I was hoping to correct that omission. I have previously acted in many of Benny Chan's films and we have mutual trust and understanding. Therefore, when he told me about the film, I agreed, seeing that it fit all my requirements.
What do you think the Shaolin Temple represents?
Nicholas Tse: It's something spiritual, generosity.
What are the differences between the new “Shaolin” and the old “Shaolin Temple”?
Nicholas Tse: It's extremely unfair to director Benny Chan because everyone is comparing this version to Jet Li's Shaolin Temple. I want to tell everyone - don’t compare, we’re not filming a remake of “Shaolin Temple”, this is a completely different story. I think it would be wrong if people were influenced by past prejudices when watching it. The old “Shaolin Temple” was only about martial arts, but in this version we emphasized humanity, described how humanity and Buddhism can coexist.
You've starred in a lot of action films over the past few years. Are you so interested in this genre, or do you just want to become a “star”?
Nicholas Tse: Honestly, I wouldn't mind starring in some quiet melodrama. I asked Dante Lam why they always present me with scenarios where I have to fight. He answered very insightfully: such roles suit you. Investors are putting up a lot of money and they want to see someone on screen with acting skills, good looks and a passion for hard work. Such a person is difficult to find. But I can fight, play, work until I lose my pulse, wouldn’t that suit them? All because of my passion for Wushu. I believe that fighting, among other things, is body language. That's why I never made a distinction between fight scenes and dramatic scenes. In my work, fight scenes are just as important as dialogue.
Did you specifically study Shaolin kung fu for filming this film?
Nicholas Tse: Here I play a negative character, so it doesn't matter how I fight. I love kung fu with all my heart, but I am well aware that even after three or five years of training, I still will not be able to fully recreate the essence of “Shaolin Fist” on screen. That's why I told the director from the very beginning that I would never play the role of a monk.
So you used your unique “Nicholas Tse Fist” style?
Nicholas Tse: I knew that the fight scene would be most exciting if I could recreate the character's personality during the fight. Once I become bad, my fighting style changes. I deliver my very first aggressive blow to the enemy’s most vulnerable spot. This confirms what a low and vile person Cao Man is. In battles I wanted to achieve a similar effect.
You have never studied martial arts professionally. How do you manage to feel wushu like that?
Nicholas Tse: I've watched a lot of movies, it's not that difficult.
Tell us about your character from “Shaolin”.
Nicholas Tse: In “Shaolin” I play a warlord, his name is Cao Man. He can be called Andy Lau's "right hand", but we have different views on the world, so I become the so-called villain. Cao Man is constantly immersed in his own world, he is guided only by his own opinion. And although this opinion is wrong in the eyes of others, he still insists on his own, and even moves from words to deeds, this approach is very intimidating. Before filming started, I was thinking about how I could properly play the role of Cao Man, but later I realized that if I could make him a mean-spirited yet pathetic person, that would be the best fit.
What is the biggest challenge of becoming an on-screen villain?
Nicholas Tse: I've always felt that in Chinese films the villains rarely go to extremes. I hope I get to play a character who is much nastier, meaner and meaner than the villains of yesteryear. There are many restrictions, but if the audience grinds their teeth and wishes for the death of this character, then I have done a successful job.
You mentioned that you wanted to make your character more despicable. To achieve this effect, did you use any of your own personal approaches?
Nicholas Tse: Yes, most of the time it depended on how I delivered my dialogue and how I expressed my emotions. For example, in one episode where I torture and humiliate Andy Lau's family, I added this touch: I licked the face of his wife Fan Bingbing. This act may be confusing to many, but it instantly highlighted the character and mentality of my character.
The biggest challenge on set was the horse riding?
Nicholas Tse: Absolutely. I have a hypersensitive sense of smell when it comes to horses, and combined with asthma, this made the job very difficult.
What do you remember most about the film?
Nicholas Tse: I especially liked the fight with Jacky Wu and the scene where I kill him. The choreography of the fights was beautiful, it accurately conveyed the Zen philosophy and general mood. In another episode, I drown Fan Bingbing in a barrel of water. The idea is quite unusual, and I believe that I managed to recreate the image of the villain.
What do you expect from “Shaolin”?
Nicholas Tse: Although it may sound too corny, I hope to see a completely different me in him. I always paid attention only to good scripts, but I didn’t really ask for them. In the end, I had to play the role of a villain, and such an opportunity should be cherished. I hope that you will see not only another Nicholas Tse, but also another villain who will “give you goosebumps”, whose twisted logic, among other things, can be consistent.
New trailer
Source: wu-jing.org
Translation: EvilDollaR
He played the villain perfectly.
No matter what they write about this film, I will definitely wait for its release and watch it! :)