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There’s no one like Don Lee.
Also referred to as Ma Dong-seok, the hulking Korean motion star has made a reputation for himself along with his large body, punishing blows, and simple attraction. After a prolonged and profitable profession at residence, he discovered worldwide consideration along with his scene-stealing position in Prepare to Busan earlier than Marvel forged him as Gilgamesh in Eternals.
Lee’s newest, The Roundup: No Approach Out, is the third (and finest) entry within the very talked-about Roundup crime thriller franchise, which has made waves not solely on the Korean field workplace, however around the globe.
Polygon exchanged questions with the star through e-mail, discussing his motion philosophy and influences, the time he was nearly in a John Wick film, and his ideas on the upcoming Prepare to Busan remake.
Polygon: Your boxing background actually comes via in these motion pictures. I’ve learn you needed to be a boxer if you have been youthful. Are you able to inform me what that boxing expertise brings to a task?
Don Lee: I’ve been boxing my whole life, and thru boxing, I’ve realized about endurance and humility in life. Moreover, the motion on this [Roundup] sequence can also be principally designed primarily based on boxing. Watching the film Rocky impressed me to dream of turning into a boxer. And I additionally began to dream of turning into an actor whereas studying boxing.
Picture: BA Leisure
What’s most important to you in making compelling motion within the trendy period?
There are numerous sorts of motion in movies. Motion involving weapons, automotive chases, fantasy components, and extra. Amongst them, I’m most targeted on motion that entails bare-handed fight with none weapons. I’ve been boxing for a very long time and even skilled to develop into knowledgeable boxer as soon as. So the core of the motion sequences for The Roundup: No Approach Out is boxing. Making use of actual boxing strategies to motion motion pictures just isn’t a simple job.
As it’s difficult, the coordination and synergy with the stunt group are essential. Heo Myeong-haeng, the martial-arts director, and the stunt groups on this movie have been working with me for 20 years, and so they perceive my intentions very properly. That permits us to create extra reasonable motion scenes. Even now, I prepare in boxing each day and have interaction in sparring classes with skilled boxers.
Which motion filmmakers and stars are doing it finest, in your opinion? Do you might have favourite latest motion motion pictures?
I began boxing after watching Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky sequence throughout my childhood. So Rocky is an motion film that’s irreplaceable to me. Just lately, I’ve seen that director Chad Stahelski, identified for guiding the John Wick sequence, delivers fashionable motion sequences. I’ve maintained a long-standing friendship with him, and was additionally supplied a task in [a] John Wick, which sadly didn’t come via. [Ed. note: The role was in John Wick 3, which conflicted with his filming schedule for 2019’s The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil.] J.J. Perry, who was in control of the stunts for John Wick, additionally created unimaginable motion scenes. Chris Hemsworth’s Extraction had some really spectacular motion as properly.
Picture: BA Leisure
The Roundup motion pictures have lots of high-impact punching, with the motion, camerawork, and sound design all working in coordination to counsel you’re actually slugging fools. How a lot contact is definitely in these motion pictures? What’s your philosophy on full-contact motion?
Trying reasonable is vital, however security comes first. Whereas we by no means really hit a co-star’s face, there are pictures the place we have to hit one another’s our bodies. Actors do put on security gear in such instances. Nonetheless, even when we’re cautious, the hit is powerful sufficient to almost affect the organs. These are difficult sorts of motion, however I did my finest to make it look actual and pleasurable for the viewers.
How does a disparity in physicality inform the way you method a struggle scene? Most people you struggle are smaller than you, however then additionally you struggle the bigger bouncer in No Approach Out. How do you alter your method?
On this movie, actors of assorted weight courses, from middleweight to tremendous heavyweight, seem as my opponents. Since I prioritize realism in boxing motion, in sure scenes, I transfer swiftly as a boxer does, whereas in others, I deal with the facility as a slugger does. In boxing matches, there are instances the place the opponent will get knocked out with only one or two punches. In actual life, for those who get punched by naked palms with out gloves, you can be knocked out immediately. I needed to convey that in that scene. I’m all the time attempting to create reasonable motion sequences that the viewers can get pleasure from.
Does the truth that world audiences can now simply entry and watch your movies change something to your method?
By the common language of movie, it’s attainable to speak cinematically throughout the globe, transcending language limitations. With regards to producing or planning a movie, I attempt to not restrict my creativeness primarily based on scale or finances. By exploring and imagining with out being restricted by manufacturing constraints and sensible situations, I imagine that extra charming content material will be born. And content material like that will transfer audiences worldwide.
Picture: Marvel Studios
After Eternals, are you curious about any future Hollywood tasks? Are there any specific franchises that enchantment to you?
The Korean movie trade and Hollywood are the identical in that the entire actors and employees work onerous collectively to make a very good film. Principally, probably the most excellent distinction is Language. Hollywood movies use English, however Korean movies use Korean language. However beneath the frequent language named “film,” individuals can talk with one another past the language barrier. And experiences from Marvel Footage vastly impressed me to design and increase the fictional universe after I make the movie.
Did you might have any response if you heard there can be a Hollywood Prepare to Busan remake, directed by Timo Tjahjanto?
Prepare to Busan holds a particular place in my coronary heart. I hope it will likely be remade excellently.
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