Tony Jaa burst kicking and screaming onto the screen with the release of Ong Bak - the movie that really introduced the world to Thai martial arts cinema - and its release made Jaa a global phenomenon. Jaa’s incredible physicality and charisma caught the attention of audiences around the world, the release of Tom Yum Goong/The Protector and subsequent films never really showcased Jaa as well as the first... but after a few set-backs that might have taken a lesser man out of the business, Jaa seems more focused and busier than ever before.
We’re now about to see Jaa step into the international market with his leading roles in THREE upcoming projects. Skin Trade (which sees him teaming up with Dolph Lundgren), SPL 2 with Wu Jing and his involvement in the Fast & Furious 7. Jaa spoke to us about all those latest projects.
Skin Trade:
"After his family is killed by a Serbian gangster with international interests. NYC detective Nick goes to S.E. Asia and teams up with a Thai detective to get revenge and destroy the syndicate’s human trafficking network..."
Impact: Now you've just completed shooting (at least principal photography) on Skin Trade which sees you working alongside Dolph Lundgren. What can you tell us about the project and how you first got involved with the film?
Tony Jaa: Dolph and I are friends. I liked the story and the fact that it would be made in Thailand for the International market. Dolph is fun to work with... we had wanted to do a film together and Skin Trade was the right project. The casting was great and allowed for some amazing action scenes while still keeping a solid dramatic story.
It’s your official English language debut. How are you finding handling extensive English dialogue.? Is it hard to make the change from being able to film in Thai, the language in which you're most comfortable?
Actually my first English language film is Fast and Furious 7. I started learning intensive English in May last year. I have no problem with conversational English, although of course sometimes I still make mistakes. Acting in English requires me to think about the emotional tone of my lines and make sure that I convey my character's feelings correctly. This has caused me to think more about my acting... and that is a good thing. My objective has been to do international films rather than continue with purely domestic films, so English is a necessity.
The film also stars upcoming actress Celina Jade (best known to audiences as Shado from the hit television series Arrow). How have you found working with her?
Celina is fantastic. She is a very, very good actress. We had a number of scenes together and she really helped me to improve my dramatic performance. She took a lot of time to rehearse with me and practice until I had things right.
The film also features a strong supporting cast including Ron Perlman, Peter Weller, and Cary Tagawa. Was it very important for you to surround yourself with an established cast... do you find working with such strong actors helps you in terms of performance?
I did not produce Skin Trade so in that sense my input on casting was limited. I was very pleased with the casting choices. I felt that it helped separate this film from a pure action film and put it into the category of a serious theatrical action/thriller. This was important to me as I know that I need to be mindful of the quality of the films I am in if I really want to succeed on the international stage. Naturally when you play opposite actors of this caliber it literally forces you to bring your performance up to their level.
The film’s director is Ekachai Uekrongtham best known for Beautiful Boxer, what do you think he has brought to the film as a director? Do you feel more confident and comfortable with a Thai director as you can converse directly?
Ekachai brought a dramatic aspect to the film that I think is unique and interesting. It helped ensure that the story line would appeal to a broad audience. In terms of language, I am quite comfortable with a director speaking English as well as Thai. I don’t have any problems communicating in English these days.
What do you feel Skin Trade has to offer an audience, in terms of action and drama? What would you feel are the highlights the audience has to look forward to?
I don’t want to spoil the story. However I will say that the movie has a very strong dramatic story with well-defined characters. The audience will be able to identify with the characters. The story itself is clear and I think the audience will follow the message well. This combined with some fantastic action makes the movie rather unique.
Teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrxhWwqVcrs
SPL 2: A Time for Consequences:
"A Thai prison guard is recruited to bust a wrongfully imprisoned undercover Cop from prison; the two must join forces to bring down a vicious crime family..."
There'd been talk of your involvement in a Hong Kong film pretty much since you burst onto the screen in Ong Bak, I even remember we were trying to reach out to you for Rush Hour 3 to play opposite Jackie back in the day. I'm sure there have been a lot of offers from Hong Kong, Asia and Hollywood for you, what made you decide to go with SPL 2?
I like the story and I like working with Wilson and Terence. Wu Jing is a very good performer as are Max Zhang and Simon Yam. I enjoyed the original SPL and was pleased at the idea of starring in SPL II.
How are you finding with Wu Jing... how do you think his style of action and yours go together? Is communication an issue or do you find that your mutual physicality breaks down a lot of language barriers?
Our styles are quite different and I think that will interest the audience. He is a great guy to work with.Wu Jing speaks conversational English so we have no communication problems.
What can you tell us about your role in the film and what we have to look forward to?
I will let the producers tell you about this in due course.
How are you finding with a Hong Kong action team? Do you have any input into the choreography or are you letting the HK team choreograph everything for you?
They have given me a lot of latitude in the choreography. I am very comfortable with them. They are creative and professional.
And how have you found shooting in Hong Kong?
It has been fun and different. FF7 is very Hollywood in shooting style. Skin Trade as a production was also very much Hollywood style in terms of how the shoot was managed. SPL II is somewhere in between Hollywood and Thailand so it is familiar ground for me.
Fast & Furious 7:
"Ian Shaw (Jason Statham) seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his team for the death of his brother..."
How did you first get involved with the latest Fast & Furious movie? Were you a fan of the franchise before you got involved?
I was always a fan of the franchise. My agent was contacted by Universal and my manager and I felt this was a very good platform to break out in front of international audiences. The cast is fantastic to work with and many friendships have been formed. People like Vin Diesel have been very kind towards me and I really appreciate it.
Can you tell us a little bit about your role in the film? Is it hard to adjust to the American way of film-making, with limitations as to hours and what you can and can't do yourself?
I cannot tell you about the film, I’m sorry... but I can tell you that they really let me do my things and you will see it on screen.The adjustment to Hollywood style was not hard, and I was really pleased with the opportunity that being in FF7 afforded me as well as the amount of fun I had with the people I worked with.
How have you found working with the cast and crew. And any thoughts you'd like to share as to the late Paul Walker?
Paul and I had become friends and spent considerable time together. His loss is still painful for me and the rest of the cast and crew. He was a wonderful and considerate person, and I think FF7 will be a real tribute to Paul and his memory.
Thanks to Tony Jaa for talking to us, and special thanks to his management team, Mike Selby & Brett Norensberg for setting up the interview.
