An Interview with Cynthia Rothrock
It is not often I have the opportunity to interview a true trailblazer in the world of action entertainment. It is not often I have the opportunity to interview a highly decorated martial artist whose accolades include induction in the International Sports Hall of Fame. It is not often I have the opportunity to interview an action star with a career that has spanned more than three decades. And for good reason… few people on this planet can make these claims. Cynthia Rothrock can.
CTB: For longtime fans of your work, The Martial Arts Kid was not your typical Cynthia Rothrock movie. Was part of the appeal of doing The Martial Arts Kid the fact that it was unlike anything you had done before?
CR: The appeal for me was that I wanted to do a family film that had a good message for children. Plus it was the first time I played a mom in a movie and I liked that idea since I have a daughter around the same age.
CTB: The legendary Don “The Dragon” Wilson plays your husband in The Martial Arts Kid. What was it like working with your longtime friend once again? And in theory would The Dragon and The Lady Dragon be the strictest parents ever?
CR: I love working with Don, and I know we have a few films in the future to do, including The Martial Art Kid 2: Payback. It’s always great to work with your best friends… going to work is a pleasure and you are sure to have a good time. But it is especially great to work with Don because he is a perfectionist. I am not the strict parent in real life, and I don’t think Don is either.
CTB: You have worked with a number of action stars throughout your career including Loren Avedon, Jeff Wincott, Kurt McKinney, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke to name a few. In your expert opinion does your The Martial Arts Kid co-star Jansen Panettiere have what it takes to pursue a career in the world of action movies?
CR: I think Jansen could have a career in action pictures. Not only is he a natural actor, and so darn cute, but he is very physical and willing to work hard at making the action look right and strong.
CTB: You mentioned the sequel to The Martial Arts Kid a few moments ago. Are all the key players returning for the sequel? Any inside scoops you can share with our readers? And when can we expect to see The Martial Arts Kid 2?
CR: The Martial Arts Kid 2 is going to be more gritty and more action. You will see some characters returning, some surprises, and of course it takes off from the end of the first one so you can guess who the number one bad guy is. I get to fight Marcos Taylor, so I’m very excited about that.
CTB: You actually broke first broke the news of The Martial Arts Kid 2 a while back on social media. You are very active on Facebook. I’ve seen you post everything from a KFC commercial you did back in the day to a recent encounter you had with “Mean” Gene Okerlund. What are your favorite and not so favorite things about Facebook?
CR: My favorite thing is that I get to connect with the fans on a somewhat personal basis. Facebook has also brought a lot of seminar work to me. Martial Arts schools see what a good time we have during and after the seminar and then are not intimidated to book me. The worst part is that sometimes you get a few crazies on Facebook, and when you can’t answer them they become rude. They don’t realize that with over 40,000 followers you can’t possibly answer everyone, every time.
CTB: Shifting gears for a moment, had the mixed martial arts explosion happened in the 80’s, do you think we would have seen Cynthia Rothrock competing in the UFC?
CR: No, I prefer to watch.
CTB: You have starred in over 50 films over the course of your career, do you have any personal favorites?
CR: I love all my Hong Kong films for the fighting, The Martial Arts Kid for the message, and Sworn to Justice is one of my favorites as well, along with my non-action picture Santa’s Summer House, where I played a modern day Mrs. Claus
CTB: Finally, any other upcoming projects or appearances you’d like to share with our readers?
CR: I am working on getting funding for a documentary on my life that I want to do. It is going to be quirky, funny, never boring, inspiring, and deals with the great adventures and spiritually of my life. I want people to see it and be entertained and motivated to do things they have always wanted to do, not just dream it but do it. ALL Things are possible with God, love that saying.
CTB: Thank you Cynthia! Best of luck to you. I’m looking forward to checking out your upcoming projects. And to any of our readers out there that want to support The Martial Arts Kid 2: Payback be sure to check out the Indiegogo page and get yourself some sweet autographed Cynthia Rothrock swag!
