Actor, stuntman, and martial artist Gary Daniels chatted about his new film “Bring Him Back Dead,” which will be released on August 2.
What was it like to be a part of “Bring Him Back Dead”?
‘Bring him back Dead’ came about nearing the end of the pandemic. I had a couple of jobs cancelled due to the travel restrictions and had spent the past 18 months at home just training due to the gym being closed like most businesses. So it was a nice opportunity to get out of the house and stretch my legs so to speak.
What did you love most about playing your character?
Alex, my character was quite interesting as he is basically a good guy but who is forced into some unethical behaviours due to certain life circumstances. That makes him an interesting character to play as you have to try to keep the audience on his side while he does things that most people would find disagreeable
How does it feel to be an actor, stuntman, and martial artist in the digital age?
Well, nothing really changes for me. My preparation is the same and I will always do my best and give 100 percent in my performance. What has changed is that independent films are shooting on much lower budgets so shooting schedules are shorter which affects the time we have to shoot action/fight scenes.
A lot of producers/directors do not schedule the time needed to do it right. So all the work that goes into choreography, rehearsals and shooting the pre-viz by the action director ultimately gets cut out on the day of the shoot. It is very frustrating.
What is your advice for young and aspiring actors?
Just to believe in themselves. What can be believed and can be conceived can be achieved. Act as if you already are what you want to be and you will draw it to yourself. What you act as if you are, you become.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Success for me means achieving inner peace, and not letting anything in the outer world affect my inner state of being. But instead using everything thing that happens in the outer world as a signpost, a guideline to point me in the direction of who I choose to be.
What would you like to tell our readers about “Bring Him Back Dead”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
Well, it is just a movie, entertainment. Do not take it too seriously and try to watch it without judgement. There is a joke in the film industry.
How many martial artists does it take to do a fight scene ?
100 … Two to do the fight and 98 to say “I could have done it better.” So try to enjoy films that you watch without judgement.
