IMPACT: Darren, how did you get involved with 'The Man with the Iron Fists', and how would you describe your character “Rodent Chief”?
DES: As with any film project I went through the audition process. I had read for numerous parts which were taped and sent to RZA. After some time and much support from yourself and the Beijing casting I was offered the role of the "Rodent Chief" who is the leader of the Rodent Clan. The name of the clan pretty much speaks for itself, a bunch of dirty grubby little scavengers who aren't afraid to get dirty.
IMPACT: Were you aware of RZA and his love for kung fu movies etc before this film? How did you find working with RZA as a director and his vision for the characters, the movie and the world of “Iron Fists’’?
DES: During my college years I was very aware of RZA and his love for Kung Fu movies because of the Wu Tang Clan music. I wasn't a heavy listener of Hip Hop at the time, as I am now, but I think their debut album of "Enter The Wu Tang Clan (36 Chambers) really brought something very different to the East coast hip hop music.
As a director he is an amazing visionary. He attended to every detail of the story right down to every character detail: from hair , makeup, clothing , foot wear right down the the types of weapons each character used. Just like Lucas did with Star Wars.
IMPACT: The role on paper was pretty cool to begin with, did you get the chance for any input to the character?
DES: The Rodent Chief scene originally was a completely different character. The parameters of the scene were essentially the same but the character was just a survivor from another clan after a ferocious battle with the Lion Clan. He did a rewrite of the scene and the Rodent Chief was born. He told me that he loved this long haired wig & bandana that I had worn for the audition. Haha, I made the mistake of sending some snap pics in the wig as well and that ended up being the picture they used for the cast's headshot wall. I didn't get to meet RZA until I got to Shanghai and we did chat briefly about his take on the character. From there on in he pretty much let me take it from there with the addition of some great direction.
IMPACT: How did you find working with RZA and Eli Roth on the project? A lot of people seem to have assumed that perhaps Eli was directing as opposed to RZA himself, whereas it was much more of a partnership with Eli offering support...
DES: I think it needs to be clear that RZA is the director of this film. The vision for the film was entirely his. He is also the producer, writer and lead actor. That's a lot to take on at once & very admirable. My scenes were very action packed and Corey was choreographing it. RZA was directing and Eli was of course there for support to help RZA when he couldn't be in two places at once. For myself, working on this film was a memorable experience.
IMPACT: It’s an interesting project in that it’s a 'western eastern' featuring a cast and crew from both China/Hong Kong and Hollywood. How did you find the production flowing with such a diversity of nationalities and languages being used on set?
DES: It was indeed a very ethnically diverse cast and crew for the project. From my view everyone got along well and were all keen on working together to make this film the success it has become. A lot of the HK/China crew didn't speak English but fortunately i do speak some Mandarin so it wasn't too hard to blend in. I think that the second unit team (comprised of Hong Kong and China stuntmen and crew) was impressed that I showed up with my own jerk vest,pads and had some previous experience on wires. There wasn't a lot of time for rehearsals for my wire set up so I think it made things run a bit more smoothly.
IMPACT: How did you find working as part of such an impressive cast, Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, RZA, , Daniel Wu, etc
DES: Unfortunately I didn't get to work with all of the cast. My scene was mainly with Rick Yune and Mc Jin (Jin Au-Yeung). I already knew Jin from before and Rick and I got along very well. I had met Lucy Liu on Ecks vs Sever/Ballistic back in Vancouver but I think she arrived to set after I was done filming.
IMPACT: Was it interesting for you to be working with a China/Hong Kong crew after doing so much work in the West?
DES: It's always interesting filming in a foreign country. it's interesting to see the differences in the way films are made but what's more amazing is how certain aspects of film making are similar. I found the China/Hong Kong crew very friendly and fun to be around, especially the hair and make up people. I understand that we were fortunate to get the crew that we did.
IMPACT: How did you find working with Corey Yuen and his action team on the movie?
DES: I had met Corey previously on two projects: Romeo Must Die and War (aka Rogue Assassins). This film (The Man With The Iron Fists) was probably the closest that I have ever worked with Corey. He remembered me from the two previous projects and we had a few opportunities to chat which is something we never had time for the past. I'm a huge admirer of his craft and it's always a pleasure to work with him and his team.
IMPACT: How would you describe the whole Iron Fists experience from your point of view, and how would you pitch the movie to a potential audience?
DES: This is by the far the coolest project that I have ever worked on. I have said it on many occasions that I believe this film will be the evolution of Kung Fu film making. It has a nice blend of East and West with many other elements that appease to wide range of audience. I have never, up to this day, worked on a a project of this scale and said "...it can't fail"
IMPACT: What’s next for Darren E Scott?
DES: Funny you should ask that. As you're well aware (because you are one of the producers!), I've just finished filming a short called Gus & Chloe. It was a great Iron Fists reunion as the cast includes Gemini Twin Grace Huang and Dragon Inn Singer Celina Jade. The film is directed by Iron Fists' line producer Christopher Bates and with cinematography by Meteor Cheung. (This film is also produced by Blood Traffick director Jennifer Thym and Allison Yuen ( The Man with the Iron Fists and Man of Tai Chi). I was very fortunate to share the screen with HK legend Yuen Cheung -yan, the actor/fight choreographer whosehas worked on everything from Charlie's Angels and Daredevil through Fist of Legend, Tai Chi Master and Miracle Fighters). I'm also looking forward to a release of Seven Miao's Game of Assassins sometime next year, which is a full blooded Chinese language martial arts film.
