An Interview with Temur Mamisashvili
We have something special on tap today, an interview with actor, fight choreographer and stunt man, Temur Mamisashvili.
Born in Tbilisi, Temur began his martial arts training when he was just 9 years old. Temur’s dedication to the martial arts would eventually find him working with some of the biggest action stars in history and even gain him a spot on the world famous Jackie Chan Stunt Team.
I recently had an opportunity to fire some questions at Temur about his career in the world of action entertainment…
CTB: How did you get to be a part of the world famous Jackie Chan Stunt Team?
TM: I moved to Hong Kong from New York hoping to make it in an Asian action film industry . So eventually got into my first Jackie Chan movie, Dragon Blade, as part of the foreign action unit, that’s when I met most of JCST members first time. after that I got a roll in Skiptrace. Than I joined The Foreigner as part of the stunt team, I was recommended by my good friend, JCST member Max Huang (who played Kung Lao in the new Mortal Kombat), to Han Guanghua who was action directing The Foreigner in London. that time I wasn’t considered as an official member of JCST yet.
Later on, Max was action directing Bleeding Steel he asked me to join his core team, so during that project Jackie decided to make me official member of his team. So I am 8th generation Jackie Chan Stunt Team member since then.
CTB: What is the craziest stunt you have ever performed?
TM: I wouldn’t say I have done anything too crazy. There are some stunts that you know you will get hurt doing, but the main concern is to not to get injured.
On a project called Wonder Family with the JCST, I had to jump into bell tower from the side window, hit the giant bell, push it away and precisely hit the edge and fall into small circle opening under the bell about 3 meters down. The problem was you couldn’t see that small hole under the bell, so once I jumped in, I went very fast and before I could protect myself from the edge, I already crashed into it with my ribs and fell down the hole. I then ricocheted, bouncing off the side and falling into some metal construction. The result was cracked ribs and cracked skull.
CTB: That sounds pretty crazy to me… but I guess all in a day’s work for the Jackie Chan Stunt Team. Speaking of Jackie Chan, you have worked with Jackie Chan on a number of occasions, the latest being the upcoming Panda Plan. Any fun behind the scenes stories from Panda Plan?
TM: I was very humbled that Jackie and Director Luan Zhang trusted me with the role of James, the lead villain role in Panda Plan.
There was many fun moments on set, of course. In one of fight sequences I had to kick Jackie in the chest, so I did, Jackie falls back, then his not moving. It looked like he was knocked out. The stunt coordinator and everybody on the crew is looking at me with these faces like how could you? Some of them even yelled my name. I know I didn’t kick him too hard but you never know, since Jackie is 70 years old. I was very scared, suddenly Jackie opens his eyes and laughs, so basically he was pranking me. It was such a relief that he was OK.
CTB: Jean-Claude Van Damme is hands down one of my all-time favorite action stars. You had the opportunity to work on JCVD’s 2015 film, Pound of Flesh. What was it like working with Van Damme?
TM: Pound Of Flesh was one of the most memorable projects I have worked on, thanks to our dear friend, Mike Leeder, who brought me in.
Originally, I just went there for couple of days work, playing the small roll of “show fighter”. After meeting with action director Master John Salvitti (from Donnie Yen’s stunt team), I was asked to join the action team. That was the first time that I get to be stunt team member. I picked up a lot of useful skills while working with Master John, skills that have helped me a lot in my action movie career.
I was also fortunate to meet Jean-Claude Van Damme, my childhood idol! When I saw JCVD for the first time on set, he was sitting in his chair, I was so exited but I couldn’t dare to talk to him. Then Mike Leeder takes me over to him to introduce me. So Mike goes, “Hey Jean-Claude, this is Temur, he just joined our crew.” JCVD looked at me and said, “No! No! You know I am a big star, I don’t wanna talk to you.” I was devastated, I didn’t know what to say or what to think. I was about to leave. And suddenly he gets up quickly and yells, “I’m just kidding with you man!” He then gives me a hug and lifts me up in a air.
So basically now I can say I’ve been pranked by Jackie Chan and JCVD! Hahaha.
CTB: You also had the chance to work with Scott Adkins in 2019’s Abduction. Any interesting Scott Adkins stories you can share?
TM: I am a big fan of Scott as well. I first met Scott at the Jackie Chan Stunt Team 40th Anniversary celebration in 2017. The second time I met Scott was on the set of Abduction, also thanks to Mike Leeder.
Unfortunately, I did not have any scenes with Scott on that project, but had a chance to see him in action. Scott is very humble, and a real gentleman. I would love to have a fight scene with him in the future.
CTB: Movies have taken you all over the world. What has been your favorite place (or places) to film?
TM: That is what I love about making movies. I get to go to places where I would have never even thought about going to. There have been many favorite places so far, definitely hard to pick one, but if I had to I would say Montenegro. I really enjoyed staying there, I guess because it is in Eastern Europe and I am from Georgia so I was more familiar with the culture. That was on HK project, Golden Job, I stayed in Montenegro for 18 days and only worked for 4 days, so rest was just vacation.
CTB: Another upcoming action movie you are a part of that is Agent 86. What can action fans expect from Agent 86?
TM: Agent 86 is a passion project directed by my very good friend, Bassem Khayati. I was actually very impressed by Bassem and very proud that he managed to finish the whole film with a very low financial investment and released in several countries. I was happy that I got to be part of it. And while I haven’t seen the whole film yet, the scenes I have seen looked great and I can tell you that the action will be awesome!
CTB: What are some of the things you’d like to do next in your acting/stunt career? Is there anyone you haven’t worked with that you’d like to?
TM: As far as my career goes, I am going to continue acting and trying to get in on the western market. Also, I have plans for my country Georgia, which is an amazing place to shoot movies. I am trying to get Chinese movies produced in Georgia and I would love to open an action/stunt training center in Georgia.
One of my biggest idols is Donnie Yen. My kicking style is very much influenced by him! So it is my dream to work with him one day. I was very fortunate to meet him several times, but I have never had the opportunity to work with him yet.
CTB: Last but not least, Big Mike Leeder, who has contributed to our site in the past on numerous occasions, has mentioned your new hairstyle, so I have to ask… why a blue mohawk?
TM: Well originally Luan Zhang, director of Panda Plan, wanted it to be a blonde and gold mohawk, then he went with blue. So it was his decision. But, I did like blue more too.
CTB: Everyone stay tuned to check out Temur and his blue mohawk in Panda Plan (hitting the United States and Canada on October 18th) and thank you Temur for your time and best of luck as your action career continues!
