An Interview with Roger Yuan
When it comes to the world of action entertainment, Roger Yuan has pretty much done it all. He has been an actor in movies like Shanghai Noon and Bulletproof Monk. He has done fight training and coordinating in movies like 47 Ronin and Jason Bourne. He did stunt work in movies like Rapid Fire and Double Dragon. He has even done a little writing and producing… as I said, he’s pretty much done it all.
Roger’s latest project is Blindsided: The Game, a great action short made by action experts and one you can watch right now on YouTube. In this interview I talk to Roger about Blindsided, being a part of the James Bond blockbuster Skyfall, working with martial arts legends Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan and more…
CTB: Let’s start off with what is probably an obvious question… how did you get involved in the movie business?
RY: I was obsessed with martial arts from an early age, even teaching myself from 5-16 years of age. I would check books out of the library on martial arts, buy magazines, watch Kung Fu films, and ask other kids to show me what they knew. My parents were first generation immigrants and didn’t have the money nor the time to indulge my obsession. So, I had to find another path. Film was a way for me to make it a profession and also continue training and expanding my martial arts experience.
CTB: Your latest project is Blindsided: The Game, an extension of the original Blindsided short starring Eric Jacobus and directed by Clayton J. Barber. Both Blindsided projects featured an impressive list of action experts, yourself included. What was it about the Blindsided projects that made you want to be a part of them?
RY: Clayton has been a friend for many years. Before I moved to Ireland for 16 years, I had coordinated some action TV series and pilots, and we worked together. So when he asked me to play Gordon, he knew my history as both an actor and action coordinator, and I became interested as we discussed who Gordon is and the freedom I had to develop the character. It was a great collaboration, with many talented people from the stunt community. But what I really appreciated in our conversations was that Clayton wanted to do a film that was character driven about this friendship between Eric’s character and my character. It was also great fun to choreograph the knife fight scene with Eric, Nic, Brett and Khalid. Also, the camaraderie that was prevalent among the whole crew, just hearkened back to being free and independent and totally creative, without the concern of monetary success.
CTB: Can we expect more from the Walter and Gordon characters in the future?
RY: You never know.
CTB: How big of a deal was it for you to be a part of Skyfall? You got some screen time but you also worked extensively behind the scenes as the fight trainer working with the likes of Bond himself… Daniel Craig. Would you consider yourself a big James Bond fan? Do you have a favorite Bond movie? And where do you rank Daniel Craig among those who have played James Bond over the past five decades?
RY: It was a big opportunity as Skyfall was the 50th Anniversary Bond film. I am a Bond fan, and it was a pleasure training Daniel, as well as helping to choreograph the fights on Skyfall. Sean Connery is the original, but Daniel brings a gritty physicality and the acting chops… I have a hard time deciding between him and Sean Connery as the definitive Bond. One of my favorites was On Her Majesty’s Service, because Bond has a three dimensional story where he falls for, marries, then loses his wife.You Only Live Twice, for the introduction of ninjas. And of course Skyfall.
CTB: Over the course of your career, you have been a part of big blockbusters like Skyfall, direct to video movies like Shootfighter: Fight to the Death and you have even done some television work in series like Renegade and Walker: Texas Ranger. Are there different levels of preparation involved or is it the same amount of work for you no matter if it is a hour long TV show or a feature length film?
RY: The creative process is the same, but the time for preparation or training actors and pre-visualizing fights generally is commensurate with the budgets. But there is also more constant upgrading or changing of action elements because either bigger budgets have the luxury, or smaller budgets, adapting whatever the environment offers, resulting in the same sometimes up to the moment changes and adaptations.
CTB: Any fun Jackie Chan stories from working with him on Shanghai Noon?
RY: The drinking game scene between Jackie and Owen Wilson where they were in bathtubs getting sloshed, started at a cast and crew dinner where Jackie supplied all the wine from his winery, and all the stunt team played the drinking game. Which led to more people slamming full glasses of wine, and led to bad producer karaoke, according to Jackie.
CTB: Another martial arts legend you have had the pleasure of working with is Chuck Norris. Do you have a personal relationship with Chuck or is it all professional? And do you have any Chuck Norris Facts we may not have heard yet?
RY: Chuck is a wonderful, genuine and kind man. I am honored that he recruited me into his system personally. Choreographing and acting on Walker was so much fun and an honor, I always welcome the opportunity to spend time with him, listen to some of his stories and experiences… Chuck would make a very good relationship counselor, by the way.
CTB: You have had the opportunity to train actors and other well known celebrities over the years, could you pick out one student who really picked things up quickly and one who was a little more challenging of a student?
RY: Nope. I make fun of all of them and keep them guessing. So, not going to lose my Yoda staff.
CTB: Finally, any upcoming projects you want to give our readers the scoop on?
RY: I was honored to be recruited by Chad Stahelski to play a triad boss in John Wick 3.
CTB: As if we needed another reason to be excited for John Wick 3, that is great news! Thank you Roger for this interview.
