I would like to talk about the film “Icarus” or, as it is called in America, “The Killing Machine”. Is there a possibility of a sequel?
Dolph Lundgren: Well, not really. To tell the truth, I had some problems with the producers - it was not released in the version that I had in mind. That's why I wasn't very happy.
It’s a shame, I liked it so much – you showed yourself very well there.
Dolph Lundgren: Thanks, but the original version was better. Live and learn.
There are several films in your directorial portfolio. What made you take up directing?
Dolph Lundgren: Well, I wanted this for a long time, but I... you know... somehow it didn’t work out. There was no right time. But when the director who was supposed to direct me in a film called “The Defender” fell ill, he recommended me for the position of director without my consent. He talked to the producers, they came to me, and I was a little dumbfounded, you know, I didn’t expect this. I thought about it and decided to do this. It was quite difficult because I was only given 10 days to prepare, but I studied the script well - I worked on it with the director - I guess that's why he decided that I would be a good replacement for him. It was not easy, but pleasant, and I liked the work. I felt something - I realized that I was doing well. I made a few more films, and the feeling was different. It's not the same satisfaction that you get from acting, because you're the one making the audience think and feel. The film as a whole, and not just your presence on the screen.
Are your actor/director friends giving you any advice now?
Dolph Lundgren: Not directly, I'm not asking for help. I learned a lot from working with [Sylvester] Stallone... people like him... even though he's the only actor/director I've worked with, I've learned from him. I learned something from Sidney Fury, the guy who was sick then... he made a lot of films, starting with Marlon Brando, etc. And I worked with John Woo, Roland Emmerich and others like that - after that you already know the answers to many questions. Being basically a director, you have to answer questions all day - two hundred questions a day: red or blue, small or big, up or down... and you just do the best you can, relying on your intuition. And then at the end of the day, a picture emerges, and after a certain number of films you've made, something like your unique style emerges, you know? I think this requires about 10 films, if you haven’t studied this separately, as was the case in my case. I've shot 5 or 6, so I'm getting close to that point. I think in a couple of years I will feel even more confident.
What can you tell us about “Slave Trade”? Is this another film in which you are the writer and director?
Dolph Lundgren: Yes, I came up with this plot about 5 or 6 years ago... or even earlier. About human trafficking. I'm currently in development - I'd like to play a minor character and find someone to play the main character so I can get a bigger budget. It's like a Michael Mann movie about people being mirror images of each other, with light and dark, good and evil, something like that. The plot is about human trafficking, in it one guy... a policeman with his family - was wounded and maimed by the “bad” guys, who, as it turned out, were Russian. And the other guy is something of a mirror image, he's from Russia and has already been through what the American cop will have to go through at the end of the first act of the film - it all ends with them joining forces in the second and third acts. So I thought that I would play the role of a Russian and look for an American actor for the other role. I’ll try to work on the project this fall, and if they start filming the sequel to “The Expendables,” then next year.
So you haven't been given a role in the sequel to The Expendables yet?
Dolph Lundgren: No, because no one has been cast yet. I don't know the schedule, and I have a few other projects going on right now, but the director was only cast about two weeks ago... so it's not very clear yet. Although from what I heard, filming will begin in September. I think in France and China.
Have you already finished filming or are you still filming the new “Universal Soldier”? [Universal Soldier 4: A New Dimension]
Dolph Lundgren: Finished. We wrapped filming about two weeks ago in Baton Rouge - it was great to work with John Hyams again. I have a few fights with Andrei Arlovski and Scott Adkins, and the sort of sermon I preach to all these soldiers is pretty funny. There was something like a five-page monologue - I had never done this before, that was the whole joke.
Yes, I really liked these films - especially with your participation. So I'm looking forward to this part.
Dolph Lundgren: Well, thank you. Should be an entertaining film. Moreover, it is in 3D - and I didn’t work in 3D, but I saw something on the monitor on the set. Looks great, interesting. The emphasis is less on the feeling of something moving towards you from the screen, it is more reminiscent of an “old school”, slightly more restrained action movie, and I think John Hyams made the right choice.
If you don't mind, I would like to go back more than 25 years ago... Is it true that during the filming of “Rocky 4” Sylvester Stallone was hospitalized because of you?
Dolph Lundgren: Well, he was in the hospital for 2 weeks - I don't know if it was because of me or because of work... maybe because of both. Don't know. But he says it was because of our fights - it turns out I hit him too hard. Due to the fact that we were throwing quite strong punches to the body, and I was a fighter at the time, I really didn’t notice it on set. But he spent 2 weeks in the hospital. So I don't know, I don't know... maybe that's what happened.
Now I’m wondering, on the set of “The Expendables,” did he have to tell you to control yourself and not kill Jet Li in one of the battles?
Dolph Lundgren: [laughs] Yeah, Jet Li was a little nervous. It all ended with him hitting me in the jaw in the first two seconds, but I don’t care... It could have been worse. I don't intend to hurt anyone on set, so I don't think it was necessary.
My podcast co-host will kill me if I don't mention Grace Jones. He's in love with her. Do you still keep in touch with her after everything?
Dolph Lundgren: You know, I haven't talked to her for several years. A couple of years ago I saw her in Cannes and ran into her. We had a great relationship, she helped me a lot in show business... be it music or films. Unfortunately, after “Rocky 4” it somehow didn’t work out - everything happened too quickly in my life... and in hers too. No, she's great... I love her music... in particular, I would like to use her music in one of my films. I have another script called “Wanted Man”... it's about a drag queen. Well, it's about a cop... a straight guy... a tough guy... a macho cop and a drag queen who, for some reason, team up. A transvestite is a witness at a trial. Be that as it may... Grace Jones' music fits the situation perfectly. That's why I'm keeping this idea in reserve... maybe until next year.
Okay, I have a couple more simple questions. What's your favorite movie?
Dolph Lundgren: Damn... tough question. Don't know. “Gladiator”, I really like it. Historical, epic, emotional. I really like the first “Godfather” too. “Unforgiven”, that’s already three... I don’t know what order to put them in, but...
Okay, that's enough. Who is your favorite actor or actress?
Dolph Lundgren: Probably Clint Eastwood and Marlon Brando, I like them both. And the actress... I don’t know... Marilyn Monroe is very nice. [laughs]
And not just for one reason.
Dolph Lundgren: Yes, exactly.
What's your favorite food?
Dolph Lundgren: Oh, I guess steak... medium rare... fried potatoes and good red wine.
Posted by Tim Nydell
Source: hitrockbottom.org
Translation: EvilDollaR
Thanks to Celpaso and SerYoga for the link.
Oh, it was nice to read, especially with Jet Li ha ha)))
Thank you!!! Great interview.