An Interview with Matthias Hues
If you were going to build an action movie villain from the ground up, he’d probably look like Matthias Hues.
Matthias Hues has tangled with a variety of action heroes including Dolph Lundgren, Jeff Wincott, Loren Avedon, Billy Blanks and Lorenzo Lamas over the course of his three decades in the movie business.
When Matthias Hues is not kicking the crap out of the good guys in action movies, Hues is known as something of a gentle giant, a class act and true gentleman. I found that to be the case when Matthias took time to answer my questions for this exclusive interview…
CTB: What is it about you that you think makes you the perfect “bad guy” in action movies?
MH: I believe there is a certain look and behavioral footprint popular bad guys showcase. Something that makes them stand out from the crowd. I think in my case it is my height, the longish blond hair and the way I use my physique. I realized early on it isn’t enough to simply be muscular but how you use your muscle. I was always intrigued by cheetahs and the way they hunt and go in for the kill with speed. I believe it made this my footprint when it comes to action. I also prefer to either show no emotions and excitement or deliberately break it at certain moments when I feel it is least expected. Like in Dark Angel suddenly smiling in the middle of a car chase. I remember it was back then more or less by accident, instinct you might say and people raved about it and I made sure to remember that for upcoming films. Being a bad guy isn’t being a bad guy, it is a multifaceted assortment of emotions that even at times are all over the place to keep others unbalanced. Throw everyone off with the unexpected. Never become a cartoon of something or you will look stale. I guess this is my mantra and success.
CTB: Fans will get to see you do what you do best in the upcoming Black Rose. What can you tell us about your character and the movie?
MH: I remember when Alexander called me and asked me to set up the movie for him. He needed a strong powerful opening to establish the rest of the film and his character. Hence an opponent who is or will right of the start tests his limits so the audience will know what they can expect for the rest of the film. And I immediately said yes and we have had a blast filming it as you will see.
CTB: You worked with Alexander Nevsky on another movie slated for a 2017 release, Maximum Impact. I noticed it is listed as an action comedy, to the best of my recollection Maximum Impact would be your first action comedy. What was that experience like?
MH: Yes it is and we had big shoes to fill with our screenwriter Ross LaManna wrote Rush Hour. It was a great pleasure and fun to have all theses comedic icons on the set. I was impressed with the ease Alexander Nevsky fell in line with the likes of Tom Arnold and made this film such a joy ride to watch. I myself tremendously enjoyed working along side with Mark Dacascos which turned out we both clicked so amazingly on our timing and spoofs. It was an overall blast and we even thought about having our characters developed into a TV series it was that silly and off beat but always backed up with some cool action. You will see us being down and out film stars and stuntmen now making a living as bumbling bad guys who simply cannot do anything right. The kicker Mark’s character is all along being recognized throughout the film from his old TV series and cannot decide if he would now rather be a bad guy or does he still want to be a celebrity. Hilarious, you will see. As for the rest… action, action and more action. There was so much fun and talented performances from such an amazing cast. Director Andrzej Bartkowiak from Cradle 2 The Grave and Doom, who is a Hollywood icon, brought the box office flair and grandeur.
CTB: I want to go back in time a bit to one of my favorite movies, Fists of Iron. Any fun memories/behind the scenes stories of working with Michael Worth and Marshall R. Teague in that one?
MH: I loved the movie as well but it has been a while to be honest. All I can say, Michael is about the nicest guy I ever worked with and he packs a hell of a punch and was just a pleasure to be in the ring with. Anytime he wants to do it again I say bring it on Michael, I love you. Fists of Iron 2 would be a fantastic idea. Marshall R. Teague is the real deal man. He is solid, like a G.I. Joe the Real American Hero type in real life and then some. I loved listening to his stories Did you know he goes one on one with killer boars? I think he is the bravest man I’ve met in all these years. I know boars, they are like the most dangerous animals out there. Hats off to you Mr. Teague.
CTB: Finally, last year you were teasing the possibility of a sequel to the movie you are probably most known for, Dark Angel. Any update on that project?
MH: Ha, I wish, We always come so close, it’s insane. There is always someone real serious about financing it and pulling it through. This isn’t the problem. The hurdle it is at Warner Brothers now and they’ve got their own ideas about what they will allow to be remade. But we are hopefully in line. for take off one of these days. Let’s be patient I tell myself.
CTB: Thank you Matthias for all your contributions to the action genre over the years and taking some time out to talk to me today.
MH: All my best to the readers of Bulletproof Action. I love to work hard and will give you many more years of hard hitting action. Best wishes as always.
Visit the official Black Rose site, BlackRoseMovie.com and don’t miss Black Rose in theaters on April 28th and on DVD on May 2nd.
Also be sure to follow Matthias Hues on Twitter (@MatthiasHues) for updates on all his upcoming projects.
