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

There’s no one like Don Lee.

Also generally known as Ma Dong-seok, the hulking Korean motion star has made a reputation for himself with his huge body, punishing blows, and simple attraction. After a prolonged and profitable profession at residence, he discovered worldwide consideration with his scene-stealing function in Train to Busan earlier than Marvel solid him as Gilgamesh in Eternals.

Lee’s newest, The Roundup: No Way Out, is the third (and finest) entry in the very fashionable Roundup crime thriller franchise, which has made waves not solely at the Korean field workplace, however round the world.

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 Train to Busan remake.

Polygon: Your boxing background actually comes by means of in these films. I’ve learn you needed to be a boxer while you have been youthful. Can you inform me what that boxing expertise brings to a job?

Don Lee: I’ve been boxing my whole life, and thru boxing, I’ve realized about endurance and humility in life. Furthermore, the motion on this [Roundup] sequence can also be principally designed based mostly on boxing. Watching the film Rocky impressed me to dream of changing into a boxer. And I additionally began to dream of changing into an actor whereas studying boxing.

Image: BA Entertainment

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

There are varied varieties of motion in movies. Action involving weapons, automobile chases, fantasy components, and extra. Among them, I’m most centered on motion that entails bare-handed fight with none weapons. I’ve been boxing for a very long time and even skilled to turn out to be an expert boxer as soon as. So the core of the motion sequences for The Roundup: No Way Out is boxing. Applying actual boxing strategies to motion films shouldn’t be a straightforward 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, they usually perceive my intentions very nicely. That allows us to create extra practical motion scenes. Even now, I prepare in boxing each day and interact in sparring periods with skilled boxers.

Which motion filmmakers and stars are doing it finest, in your opinion? Do you have got favourite current 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. Recently, I’ve observed that director Chad Stahelski, identified for steering the John Wick sequence, delivers trendy motion sequences. I’ve maintained a long-standing friendship with him, and was additionally supplied a job in [a] John Wick, which sadly didn’t come by means 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 accountable for the stunts for John Wick, additionally created unimaginable motion scenes. Chris Hemsworth’s Extraction had some really spectacular motion as nicely.

Image: BA Entertainment

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?

Looking practical is necessary, however security comes first. While we by no means really hit a co-star’s face, there are pictures the place we’d like to hit one another’s our bodies. Actors do put on security gear in such circumstances. However, even when we’re cautious, the hit is robust sufficient to almost affect the organs. These are difficult varieties of motion, however I did my finest to make it look actual and satisfying for the viewers.

How does a disparity in physicality inform the way you strategy a struggle scene? Most of the individuals you struggle are smaller than you, however then additionally you struggle the bigger bouncer in No Way Out. How do you alter your strategy?

In 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 concentrate on the energy as a slugger does. In boxing matches, there are circumstances the place the opponent will get knocked out with only one or two punches. In actual life, should you get punched by naked palms with out gloves, you can be knocked out immediately. I needed to convey that in that scene. I’m at all times making an attempt to create practical motion sequences that the viewers can take pleasure in.

Does the proven fact that international audiences can now simply entry and watch your movies change something in your strategy?

Through the common language of movie, it’s doable to talk cinematically throughout the globe, transcending language limitations. When it comes to producing or planning a movie, I strive to not restrict my creativeness based mostly on scale or finances. By exploring and imagining with out being restricted by manufacturing constraints and sensible situations, I consider that extra fascinating content material may be born. And content material like which will transfer audiences worldwide.

Image: Marvel Studios

After Eternals, are you curious about any future Hollywood initiatives? Are there any specific franchises that enchantment to you?

The Korean movie trade and Hollywood are the similar in that every one of the actors and workers work arduous collectively to make a great film. Basically, the most excellent distinction is Language. Hollywood movies use English, however Korean movies use Korean language. But beneath the frequent language named “movie,” individuals can talk with one another past the language barrier. And experiences from Marvel Pictures vastly impressed me to design and increase the fictional universe after I make the movie.

Did you have got any response while you heard there could be a Hollywood Train to Busan remake, directed by Timo Tjahjanto?

Train to Busan holds a particular place in my coronary heart. I hope it is going to be remade excellently.