Hi Tony! As a fan of yours and a fan of martial arts films in general, it is a great honor to interview you! Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions from your fans all over the world. First of all, what do you do? Last time we contacted you, you said you were heading to Africa. I hope there were no incidents!
Tony Jaa: I had a great time in Africa. Traveled with friends, including Ron Perlman and Michael Jai White. We visited Kenya, Rwanda and Djibouti, and the reception was incredible. On the way to Africa, we spent several days in Istanbul, and everywhere you turn there is a whiff of history. When we returned from Africa, we visited Petra (Jordan). Indescribable beauty.
We all heard the news that you had signed on to star in the Kickboxer reboot with fan favorite Scott Adkins, and everyone was absolutely thrilled to see the two of you on screen together. Unfortunately, as you already know, Scott Adkins abandoned the project. Is there a chance that you'll co-star with Adkins in the future?
Tony Jaa: In about 10 days I'm heading off to film Kickboxer. I really hoped Scott would be in the film. Scott and I are friends and I'm sure we'll work with him someday. Scott is a great actor, and we still need to find movie fighters like him.
Did you like the original Kickboxer with Jean-Claude Van Damme? Can you tell us a little about your role as a “mentor”? How will the film differ from the original? In the original, the “mentor” had few action scenes. We hope this time the situation will change for the better.
Tony Jaa: In this version, the role of the “mentor” is very different, it has much more drama and action. This is not an exact copy of the original. I was pleasantly surprised by the script and filming planning. I think everyone who liked the original Kickboxer will like this movie. I also believe that the storyline and drama can attract a wider audience.
That's good to hear! You discovered Hollywood with Furious 7 and Kickboxer. What are the biggest differences between filming these two films and the ones you filmed in your native Thailand? Did working on the Hollywood-Thai Slave Trade make the transition easier?
Tony Jaa: What I liked about Hollywood was the professionalism and production resources. Of course, it’s nice to film there, especially in action films. Switching to Hollywood provides a better platform to work from.
In Furious 7, did you have any scenes together with UFC champion Ronda Rousey or action star Jason Statham? What was it like working with these two amazing athletes, given that Rousey is a world-class judoka and Statham is a former professional diver?
Tony Jaa: I became good friends with Statham on the set of Fast & Furious, and the friendship continued when he came to Thailand to film his new film. Jason is a true professional and a pleasure to work with. I spent some time with Rosie and we did some training together. She is simply something, a very good actress, a very disciplined fighter and a very nice person.
I know that you have studied Muay Thai, Muay Boran, Wushu, Judo and Taekwondo. Have you ever thought about taking up mixed martial arts? MMA is at the peak of its popularity right now. Didn't Rosie show you any MMA moves on the set?
Tony Jaa: I'm familiar with MMA. My style also has a lot of mixed elements. However, mixed style fighting is not what I'm going to do. You have to be either an actor or a fighter, because... the workouts are very different. You can't do both at the same time. MMA in the UFC is cool, but the difference from the realities of film production is huge. Screen fights are prepared in advance, but in MMA fights there is greater freedom of action.
The trailer for “Slave Trade” recently premiered and it looks great! The cast is simply incredible. White and Lundgren were joined by the experienced Ron Perlman and Peter Weller. Has working with these guys improved your acting skills?
Tony Jaa: I learned a lot from Ron Perlman, he helped me with dramatic acting, which made acting much easier.
It's been more than 10 years since you debuted in Ong-Bak. How is the Tony Jaa of today different from the Tony Jaa of 10 years ago? What are the biggest changes?
Tony Jaa: I don't think I've changed much. I've been able to see more of the world than ever before, but nothing has changed, I still love my job and I'm happy to be able to do it.
Speaking of Ong-Bak. Your duet with choreographer Panna Rittikrai was approved by heaven. You both brought to the screen something we've never seen - combining the acrobatic style of Jackie Chan with the power of Bruce Lee and the grace of Jet Li. This resulted in Jaa's signature style. What do you remember most about your mentor, the late Master Rittikrai?
Tony Jaa: There is nothing specific, there are a lot of memories. I will always remember and appreciate the trust and kindness with which Panna treated me.
In SPL 2 you worked with a Hong Kong film crew. Tell us a little about the fight choreography. I can imagine how gorgeous Muay Thai with Hong Kong notes will look. And, of course, everyone is looking forward to seeing you and Jackie Woo on screen. Maybe we can see a little wushu performed by you?
Tony Jaa: I loved filming SPL 2. In the film, my style is mixed, but it is still more Muay Boran. It was a pleasure working with Jacky Wu, he has great skills and we got along well and enjoyed the process.
After working with such bright stars as Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Vin Diesel, Jackie Woo, Michael Jai White and Dolph Lundgren, who else would you like to work with in the future?
Tony Jaa: I've been very lucky to have been able to work with a number of real stars in such a short period of time while acting in international films. I don’t know what awaits me next, but at the moment there are negotiations going on for several new roles. Whoever it is, I will be pleased anyway.
There are two stars that fans want to see you with - Iko Uwais and Donnie Yen. There were rumors about your possible participation in the filming of “The Raid 3”, is this true? I know this is wishful thinking, but maybe you could talk to producer Wilson Yip about working with Donnie Yen on SPL 3 to close out the trilogy! This would make the dream of all martial arts movie lovers come true!
Tony Jaa: I was never offered a role in The Raid 3. In filmmaking, the reality is that it is the producers who handle the film and casting. That is, they choose projects and actors.
Which film of yours are you most proud of? Which one do you like best?
Tony Jaa: I hope my best film is yet to come.
What's your favorite martial arts movie?
Tony Jaa: I really like Enter the Dragon.
In 2015, 4 films with your participation will be released at once. This year will clearly be a real breakthrough for you! Can you tell us about your future projects, what are you planning after filming “Kickboxer”? You probably deserve a long vacation, we fans just want more Jaa movies!
Tony Jaa: I was well rested and ready to get to work next year. There are several films in the plans, but I will be able to talk about them only in a month or two, when the producers officially announce the information.
On behalf of the readers of the site, I would like to thank you again for the time you spent on the interview. We hope that in the new year your star will shine even brighter! Do you have anything final to say to the readers?
Tony Jaa: Thank you for spending your time and following me, I really appreciate it and am flattered that they are interested in me.
Author: David Waugh
Source: maactioncinema.com
Translation: EvilDollaR
Yeah. I realized that it was not Jah who was writing when I heard his English... well, a person with such a level of speaking cannot write so perfectly (I think the situation with Gigi is the same).
By the way, they (Tony and Gija) hang out together so often that I would be jealous if I were their other half. =)
?
Its text version is very different from the spoken one. And another interesting fact - Gija tweets/Facebooks almost always 2 hours after Tony. Coincidence? ;)
Now I’m 100% sure that it’s not Tony who writes on Facebook.
บทความที่ดีเยี่ยม-Excellent Article
Something obviously about special forces....
If I understand these comrades correctly - http://filmcombatsyndicate.blogspot.ru/2014/11/exclusive-kickboxer-loses-fung-gains.html
Then Stephen Fung left the director's chair, and he will be replaced by a certain John Stockwell, the director of "Bloody Revenge" with Gina Carano.
+ Tony posted a photo with Tomer Sisley and Diego Boneta, but has not yet revealed which movie this photo is from:
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/q84/s960x960/1404518_1570463496503046_2931612909634061158_o.jpg[/img]
Tony Jaa won't star in Kickboxer. Filming was postponed until he was busy with another film.
I don’t think it will even come to filming. And if it gets really fantastic, then it needs to go back.
And blackjack.
http://www.filmz.ru/pub/1/29151_1.htm
Mark Dacascos gathers his “Expendables”... with NEVSKY!
He answered so neatly. I would say be careful))). He definitely learned to be multi-variant when giving interviews))).
Dolph and I are together in Skin Trade. A Man Will Rise, is still with the studio that was making it, and was not completed. I don't know the status. T.J.
via facebook official tony jaa
They are all friends, it turns out. Jaa, White, Scott, Statham, Pearlman, etc., etc.
Thank you very much for the translation. I learned a lot of interesting things.
He didn’t really say anything new....I want more information about SPL 2
Some sources wrote "somewhere in 2015". Those. no one knows for sure.
No word on his directorial project A Man Will Rise with Lundgren...do we know anything about a release date? It’s like they gave up on the film after filming)