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"The Warrior's Way" in Los Angeles: The Interviews

Posted by chloejn6 pts Sunday, November 28, 2010

From November 14th to November 19th, Jang Dong Gun and the rest of the cast and crew of 'The Warrior's Way' had a fully packed schedule, beginning with an appearance at the Pacific Media Expo held at the Pasadena Hilton, and ending with the red carpet premiere at the CGV Cinemas. Last week, we brought to you exclusive photos from the red carpet, and now, with less than one week remaining until the film's December 3rd release, we bring you the second of our three part 'The Warrior's Way' series: the interviews. The cast and crew were interviewed multiple times throughout their promotion week, and we've complied the best questions and answers to give you a little insight into the making of 'The Warrior's Way' and the cast's interaction with Jang Dong Gun.

Q & A with Jang Dong Gun Q: You are unquestionably a major actor in Asia. What made you come to America and why did you select this film? A: I've filmed a few films with foreigners and those remain as good memories and experiences. I began working with director Sngmoo Lee on a different project, but 'The Warrior's Way' got approval from American producers. When he offered me the role, I was happy but I was also nervous because it was a new challenge that I've never faced before. First off, I liked the script and I anticipated working on this film. I also thought that regardless of this film's outcome, this would be a good experience for my future career as an actor. Q: You seemed to have great chemistry with Kate Bosworth. Have you met before? A: I did not know Kate personally, but I did know who she was. We met through the making of this film. As an actress, she is very passionate and dedicated to her craft. Honestly, I used to have prejudices towards Hollywood actresses, but after meeting Kate, I was able to know that they weren't as I thought. She was no different from the hardworking actors and actresses in Korea. When in front of the cameras, there were many times in which we were able to connect. As my first English movie partner, I don't think I'll ever be able to forget her. I feel very thankful as well. Q: Your character for this movie seems much darker than your previous roles. How did you prepare for this role and how is it a reflection of you? A: It was a bit difficult playing a character that does not express his emotions outwardly. As the film progresses, outwardly there is no change, but on the inside, there is a drastic change. It was very difficult to show that without expressing too much. It was very frustrating at first, but I received much help from the director. As for similarities with my self... the fact that he doesn't show his emotions well? If there were any similarities, it would have to be that. Q: What is your most impressive scene in this movie and how do you relate to it? A: It's much different now than before for it relates to a child. The character that I play is a man that is unable to kill a baby that is the last bloodline of his enemy. Therefore he struggles throughout the film as he protects this child. At the time of the filming, I wondered why he was unable to kill the child after killing so many people. But now that I have a child, if I were to film that scene again, I believe I could do a much better job. Q: Much of the film was shot in front of a green screen. What it in any way difficult for you as an actor to imagine your surroundings while acting? A: This films was nearly 100% filmed in a studio. At first I thought that it would be more comfortable since I wouldn't have to worry so much about the weather. But after about a month, my mind started getting a bit weird. Just seeing the color green made my eyes feel strange. It was difficult not being able to use the setting's help while acting. Since the movie is set in a desert, the character is constantly squinting his eyes due to the sunlight. But since there is no sun, I had to forcefully squint my eyes from the beginning to the end and eventually I formed muscles in that area of my face. Fortunately, having seen the final product, what I imagined wasn't far off from the result. Q: How was it working with the child on set? A: I heard that it was difficult to work with a child but this child was special. We even went on to name her the CG baby because she made the appropriate facial expressions at all the right times.  So rather than it being a difficult experience, it was very enjoyable. The only uncomfortable factor with working with the child is that we had to work around her schedule. Q: We're sure that you would have great success in the US. Would you ever consider moving here permanently? A: Since I now have a family in Korea, I'd have to ask them first. More than anything, my child. My life now revolves around him so, once he gets older, I'll discuss it with him.

Q & A with director Seungmoo Lee Q: How was it working with a diverse cast? A: The subject matter of this film is cross-cultural and the making process of this film was also cross-cultural. What I learned is that we are all in the same film-making community and the color of our skin or race didn't matter. We believed in the same passion and vision and so there were no problems. Q: You did extensive blue screen work. Was that difficult creatively? A: Creatively the difficult part was to imagine everything. Technically it gives a lot of freedom, you don't have to worry about the weather, you don't have to worry about the physical limitations of the set. But, you have to imagine something beyond the green screen when you give direction to the actors. It gives more creative freedom and control to the film maker. So, I would love to make another green screen movie again. Q: Any thoughts about the film? A: I was always happy about the presentation of Asians on the Hollywood screen, but I knew we had more to offer to the worldwide audience, than just fighting experts. Of course, this is an enjoyable action movie, but we tried very hard to give more depths to the character and to give more drama to the character. So I believe with the help of [Jang Dong Gun], we could present a new image of the Asian male to Hollywood and the world.

Q & A with the producers Barrie Osborne (B), Jooick Lee (J), and Michael Peyser (M) Q: What attracted you to this project? B: I was introduced to [Jooick] through a few friends. Jooick had a number of projects that he introduced to me that I really liked and I knew that the one in particular, 'Warrior's Way,' was a novel, unique blending of cultures and genres. I thought it was a fascinating story and I loved the color of the script and the fun of making this kind of movie. M: I met Jooick through Barrie... and he asked me to take a look at this [project]. I said there is something about this 'Warrior's Way' stuff that's like wow. We went about to create a movie in full vision. It's a western, it's an Asian hero story, and what I love about it is [that] all the characters... are heroes and they are all in battle. And I think it's gonna be a big crowd pleaser. J: I think every movie has it's own life and destiny. Because I cannot imagine this movie without Michael, without Barrie, and every other staff member. I think it's destiny, that we met together and made a team and to make a good movie. M: We all have a very strong interest in feeling the stories that the audience wants...This was a really genius idea, and it was well executed. Sngmoo was quite brilliant and we were lucky enough to get an amazing cast. Q: How was the creative process of this film unique? B: When you make a movie, you're telling a story. All of us, from all of our different cultures, from New Zealand, from Korea, from America, it's about joining forces to tell a story. It's great to be able to gain insights of different cultures in bringing that story to screen. Q: Will this film be released in other countries outside of the US and Korea? J: Yes, the film will be released in all Chinese speaking countries with subtitles. M: The movie will be out on December 3rd in the US, in Korea, in the UK, and many parts of Europe. It will open in Australia and New Zealand in January and maybe a whole 2nd wave of territories in January, closer to the Chinese New Year. Q: Any advice for Jang Dong Gun? M: Look for roles, find people to work with who take advantage of what you bring. And what you bring is a terrific presence beyond your acting ability. It's one of the most powerful things in the movie. He's a star. The camera loves him. B: I think he knows what he needs to do and he needs to be in films that play to his strengths.

Q & A with Kate Bosworth Q: How was it working with Jang Dong Gun? A: It was lovely, I immediately clicked with Dong Gun and he's just such an easy energy to be around. He's lovely, respectful, very present, and collaborates easily and willingly. Q: Do you have any particular memories regarding working with Jang Dong Gun? A: I'm a little bit of a prankster and I was always trying to get him into some mischief. But he's too good. He's a good boy. I couldn't corrupt him.

Q & A with Danny Huston Q: Did you have any memorable moments with Jang Dong Gun while shooting the film? A: My best moments were when I was sword fighting with Kate and I would be doing a lot of different things and he would just be looking at me very seriously. It would make me think that I was overacting. But then I understood that his stillness and my overacting created two good nemesis, kind of like a yin-yang type of feeling. Our different acting style helped us.

Q & A with Tony Cox Q: As 8-ball, you play a critical role between all of the characters in the film. How was it working with such great actors and how was the chemistry on set? A: It was great. Everybody enjoyed everybody.  For me it was like going to school, I couldn't wait to get to class. I would see the great Geoffrey Rush and he would be doing all sorts of stuff with his hands. I would find myself just looking and watching him, how he gets into character. Kate is just a hard worker. She gives it everything she has. And the Colonel [Danny Huston], patting me on my head in that one scene, I wanted to kill him. He really got my juice burning. He was so much into that role. Everybody was good, everybody did their job. Those guys [doing martial arts] work so hard. Stay tuned to allkpop for the final part of the 'The Warrior's Way' series later this week! Photos: Terence Lee & Nate

  1. JANG DONG GUN
  2. KATE BOSWORTH
  3. INTERVIEW
  4. THE WARRIOR'S WAY
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