Roundup’s Don Lee reveals the secrets and techniques to his punches, John Wick casting

There’s no one like Don Lee.

Often known as Ma Dong-seok, the hulking Korean motion star has made a reputation for himself along with his large body, punishing blows, and straightforward allure. After a prolonged and profitable profession at house, 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 Means Out, is the third (and finest) entry within the highly regarded Roundup crime thriller franchise, which has made waves not solely on the Korean field workplace, however all over the world.

Polygon exchanged questions with the star by way of e mail, discussing his motion philosophy and influences, the time he was virtually in a John Wick film, and his ideas on the upcoming Prepare to Busan remake.

Polygon: Your boxing background actually comes by way of in these films. 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 total 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 based mostly 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.

What’s most vital to you in making compelling motion within the trendy period?

There are numerous forms of motion in movies. Motion involving weapons, automobile chases, fantasy components, and extra. Amongst them, I’m most centered on motion that includes bare-handed fight with none weapons. I’ve been boxing for a very long time and even skilled to develop into an expert boxer as soon as. So the core of the motion sequences for The Roundup: No Means Out is boxing. Making use of actual boxing methods to motion films just isn’t a straightforward job.

As it’s difficult, the coordination and synergy with the stunt crew are essential. Heo Myeong-haeng, the martial-arts director, and the stunt groups on this movie have been working with me for 20 years, they usually perceive my intentions very nicely. That allows us to create extra lifelike motion scenes. Even now, I prepare in boxing day by day and interact in sparring classes with skilled boxers.

Which motion filmmakers and stars are doing it finest, in your opinion? Do you have got favourite latest motion films?

I began boxing after watching Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky sequence throughout my childhood. So Rocky is an motion film that’s irreplaceable to me. Lately, I’ve seen that director Chad Stahelski, recognized for steering 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 by way of. [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 command of the stunts for John Wick, additionally created unbelievable motion scenes. Chris Hemsworth’s Extraction had some actually spectacular motion as nicely.

The Roundup films have quite a lot 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 films? What’s your philosophy on full-contact motion?

Trying lifelike is vital, however security comes first. Whereas we by no means truly 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 robust sufficient to almost influence the organs. These are difficult forms of motion, however I did my finest to make it look actual and gratifying 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 Means Out. How do you alter your method?

On this movie, actors of varied 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 give attention to the ability 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, when you get punched by naked fingers with out gloves, you’ll be knocked out immediately. I needed to convey that in that scene. I’m at all times attempting to create lifelike motion sequences that the viewers can take pleasure in.

Does the truth that world audiences can now simply entry and watch your movies change something in your method?

By the common language of movie, it’s attainable to speak cinematically throughout the globe, transcending language limitations. In terms of producing or planning a movie, I attempt to not restrict my creativeness based mostly on scale or price range. By exploring and imagining with out being restricted by manufacturing constraints and sensible situations, I imagine that extra fascinating content material will be born. And content material like which will transfer audiences worldwide.

After Eternals, are you interested by any future Hollywood initiatives? Are there any explicit franchises that enchantment to you?

The Korean movie business and Hollywood are the identical in that all the actors and employees work onerous collectively to make a superb film. Mainly, essentially the most excellent distinction is Language. Hollywood movies use English, however Korean movies use Korean language. However underneath the widespread language named “film,” folks can talk with one another past the language barrier. And experiences from Marvel Photos vastly impressed me to design and develop the fictional universe once I make the movie.

Did you have got 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 is going to be remade excellently.