Is it as fun to prepare for a film calledNinjaas I think it probably is?
Well, when I was 12 my Dad bought me a ninja suit and I never took it off.
I was running around in the back garden having a whale of a time.
If someones gonna pay me for that, obviously Im a happy man.
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They presumably wouldnt let you shoot this movie in your back garden, though.
It would have been a nice touch, with my Mums washing on the line and everything.
No, unfortunately not.
This is the second Ninja film.
I thought it was really great.
I also thought it was a great deal better than the first one.
What did you guys do differently this time?
We were upset about the firstNinjafilm.
You cant really see when youre doing it.
But I think the main reason was my character was a very weak lead.
I think we didnt make the action scenes in the first one as good as we could have done.
We certainly made sure we did a better job of those in the second one.
Its a better story.
Of course, the revenge plot is a staple ninja plot unit.
If its not broke dont fix it.
So we used that again.
God, you just want to get a good script.
We can figure out the action, well make the action good.
What were really looking for is a good script.
But thats easily done.
Thats just the way it is.
But really, what were always looking for is a decent script.
You do what you might with what youve got sometimes.
But, hopefully, youre starting with a great script.
Is that something youve ever considered doing, maybe at a family gathering?
Hopped onto the roof and done one?
Hed rather give them his money than fight them because thats the kind of guy he is.
So, it was his own fault for being such a nice guy.
It makes you think.
Ninjas should just be bad guys.
When in doubt, kick the shit out of everyone.
I think thats the best way to do it.
Thats not a bad policy.
You could have that on a family crest.
Thatll be in my next movie.
I was going to ask you about that.
There will be aNinja 3,right?
I honestly dont know.
Id love to do it because its nice to do a trilogy, isnt it?
Weve done one and two, we might as well do a third.
I think weve put the character in a nice direction now and its working well.
I think people would like to see a third one but its not up to me.
I think you guys got into a really nice groove with the fight scenes in this one.
The thing with action films is you want there to be a sense of escalation.
Was there any pressure when youre putting together the final fight scene?
Undisputed 2, for example.
I think its really important to end on a high note and give the audience what they want.
Youve got to schedule yourself enough days and hope that you dont get injured.
There were three fights inNinja 2where I was pretty badly injured.
It affected them a little bit.
We had to shorten two down and chuck another one out altogether.
But I suppose we had enough action anyway.
What injuries did you pick up?
I hurt my back pretty badly.
The way I heard ofNinja 2was fromRaiddirector Gareth Evans Twitter account.
He was very complimentary of it.
I understand youre a fan of his as well.
What did you think ofThe Raid 2?
Do you know what?
I prefer the firstRaid, because that story just works so well.
Its so tense, he really goes through the ringer with all these characters.
I need to watch the second one again.
I loved it, but I thinkRaidis the better movie.
Its great that hes not just regurgitated the same thing and hes tried to do something different.
Im a fan of the John Woo bang out movies, the Japanese films that hes tried to emulate.
Hes doing a great job.
The car chase was amazing.
I know youve mentionedThe Raid 3.You would want to be inThe Raid 3 is that fair to say?
Id like it… Id like it.
If you say too much about these things it kind of works against you, to be honest.
I would agree with that.
You need someone who could do the business and theres not that many of us out there.
Also on Twitter, Gareth Evans pitched you as a villain forBad Boys 3,which I would love.
[laughs]I saw that tweet but I think thats as far as it goes.
Thatd be great, as well.
I love Gareth, hes fantastic.
It blows my mind that hes from Wales.
Hes really flying the flag for the kind of films that you dont get any more.
Its all these summer comic book movies now.
You dont get hardcore action films any more.
They still cut into it too quick, but a lot less than a lot of other films.
They did a really good job, I thought.
I want to ask you about Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Youve done a few movies with him.
Would you consider him to be a friend?
He congratulated me recently on my marriage.
That was very nice of him, to ring me up and do that.
I appreciate mine probably dont mean the same as Jean-Claudes.
How did you get to work with him?
Because I didUndisputed 2,the directors next film wasThe Shepherdwith Van Damme and he brought me into that.
Id met Van Damme previously to that in Hollywood.
Wed had a talk about a few things.
He was talking about trying to do aKickboxerTV series at one point, with me as the lead.
We only spoke about it, nothing really came of it, but the relationship was there.
Weve done four movies now.
I imagine that was an odd one to read.
I really liked what John [Hyams] was trying to do with that.
I think its a really great film and a lot of people have put it down unduly.
Its a clever film.
Maybe some things should have been a bit easier to grasp for the audience, Ill give you that.
Thats really a story about the monster, through the monsters eyes, from his point of view.
It was an interesting way to take the franchise.
I think the critics liked it a lot more than the fans who wanted a stupid action film did.
Because that must be frightening.
We did some strange stuff with that.
The first shot, we wanted the axe to go into the wooden floor.
Because we needed it to obliterate it.
When it goes into the wall its a real axe.
We just ended up saying Bring out the real bats!
We spill blood for them.
I think thats why you have a dedicated fan base, because people recognize that.
Is there any chance of him coming back?
Yeah, a big chance.
Were trying to sort that out at the moment.
Dont ask me why it takes so long, but were definitely talking about.
Can I pitch you my idea forUndisputed 4?
Its an underground fight tournament in a Geordie youth club with Ant and Dec as the villains.
We call it Boyka Grove.
[laughs] Thats a good one.
Do you think it would work, if I talked like that?
I dont see why not.
Its about the only accent I havent heard you use yet on film.
Ill have to work on my Geordie accent.
Now, youve made aHerculesfilm with Renny Harlin.
How was he to work with?
He would have these dinners, the whole cast would meet up.
Hes a really nice guy.
I loved working with him.
But he keeps the set very light as well.
I had a blast making that film and I really enjoyed playing that character.
Its a shame it hasnt been received a bit better but I really did enjoy it.
How exciting was it to be around them?
Its mind blowing, isnt it?
Doing the airport sequence, just to meet Stallone on his own is massive.
Just to meet Arnold on his own is massive.
I saw that Jean-Claude was as nervous as me to be honest, which was an interesting dynamic.
Of course we do.
Just a mind blowing experience.
Ive made it, Mum!
You had a fight scene with Jason Statham at the end.
The scene where you two represent the young action stars.
Well, it was frustrating because we only had a day to do it.
Im there thinking Surely people want to see a good fight here.
Isnt that what people want to see?
Me and Statham going at it and have a good fight scene?
But thats filmmaking for you.
Thats why theyre businessmen, not artists.
That was very frustrating.
And finally, whats your favourite Jason Statham film?
Hang on, let me have a little think.
Like, you might sayExpendables 2.
No, Im not gonna go for that.
I am gonna go for…Safe.
Safeis a good film and the action is sick.
Thank you, Scott Adkins!
Ninja: Shadow Of A Tearis available on bluray and DVD from 12th May.
Its worth noting that you dont need to have seen the first movie to enjoy it.
