Above Image: Promotional shot of JuJu Chan in character from Jiu Jitsu. (C) 2020 Paramount All rights reserved, used for promotional purposes only.
Greetings
valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix.com readers. Actress JuJu
Chan stops by for a brand new interview. JuJu can be seen in the
brand new film from Paramount, 'Jiu Jitsu'. The film also stars Alain Moussi, Marie Avgeropoulos , Frank Grillo
, Nicolas Cage
and Tony Jaa
. The movie is a nod to old school SciFi films, fun
and entertaining. JuJu shares her thoughts on Jiu Jitsu, working with
Tony Jaa, Nic Cage, and what she is working on in Hong Kong
currently. Sit back, relax, grab some tea, time to get behind the
action with JuJu!
Danny Templegod: Chat
about the audition process for Jiu Jitsu? Was the role of Carmen
written for you, or was it a casting?
JuJu Chan: I
didn’t find out till after I arrived in Cyprus for the shoot, but
the role was indeed written for me, so there was no audition process
for me. I was offered the role and seeing Nicolas Cage, who I’m a
huge fan of, and Tony Jaa (we’re both with the same agency and
have been looking for projects to work on together) were on it, I
jumped at the opportunity.
DT: Your
character seemed tailor made to your personality, that is why I asked
haha. I make it no secret that I freaking loved the film, a throwback
to old school 80s SciFi action, with an added martial arts twist,
what attracted you to the script and to your character?
JC: It
just seemed like such a way-out-there fun idea! I mean, anyone who
writes a serious critique of the film doesn’t get it. It was never
meant to be a serious film. It’s pure high concentrate martial arts
entertainment tailored for the hard core lovers of M.A. action out
there! For me, I loved that the Carmen character was both a killer
fighter and a bit of a girly girl when it came to her relationship
with her man. She’s kinda like me that way…LOL
Above Image (C) 2019 Daniel Herron, All rights reserved. Image used for promotional purposes only, not monetized.
DT: Yeah I
never understand people slamming a fun film. Chat about working with
Nic Cage, always respected his acting prowess, were there nerves or
was it relaxed working with him. Perhaps let the world know , some
things you learned or tips acting wise you may have picked up from
him as I know you are a student of film always learning and growing.
JC: Any
nerves that I would have had working with Nic were all dispelled by
him the first day we met. On day one I arrived at the stunt gym where
he was rolling with the stuntmen, doing BJJ. As soon as he saw me he
got straight up, walked to me with his hand out to shake, and
introduced himself like he was a complete unknown actor. I mean, he’s
fricking Nicolas Cage! But he turned out to be the most humble,
hardworking, and talented actor I’ve ever worked with. He made it
very easy for everyone to work with him. And he did most of his own
action! That’s dedication for you. I learned so much from him it’s
hard to list it all. But it’s not just about the craft, it’s also
about how to collaborate and get more from people. He’s every bit
the star he deserves to be.
DT: What a
cool story, I hope you can work with him again! I am thrilled you got
to work with Tony Jaa as well, a real talent and honorable man, chat
about his fighting skill and humble attitude. I always mentioned you
to him in our communications. I am sure you both had the opportunity
to train together, chat about working and training with Tony.
Above Image (C) 2019 Daniel Herron All rights reserved, used for promotional purposes only, not monetized.
JC: Tony’s
amazing skills are known by anyone who’s seen him in action. He
just has a way to make his moves look so powerful, yet he’s always
in control and you feel safe working with him. And he is so Zen to be
around… any pressure during the shoot seems to be repelled away by
him. Definitely looking for more projects to work with him again!
DT: The
location of Jiu Jitsu was lush and amazing, chat about working in
Greece and the variety of locations you used.
JC: So
we filmed in Cyprus. I didn’t know this until I arrived there, but
it’s known as the Island of Love because the Goddess Aphrodite was
said to be born there. It’s just such an amazingly beautiful
country, and for such a small nation there’s so much to see and do
there. You can go skiing in its mountains in the morning, then hit
the beach in the afternoon! We shot in its countryside, a cave and on
sets. As you know the film was set in Myanmar, and I think the set
designers did a pretty good job with making everything look like it
was there.
Above Photo: JuJu Chan as Carmen gets to using her favorite weapon in Jiu Jitsu (C) 2020 Paramount All rights reserved, image used for promotional purposes only not monetized.
DT: Very
interesting about Cyprus, I thought you filmed in both Greece and
Cyprus locations. Chat about the long action take you posted about
and how important that is to continuity rather than quick, blink and
you miss it edits. Did you have some fights that were edited for
time, curious what else was filmed? After the opening part at the
military base took like several minutes, to set the story, the rest
of the film moved very quickly, some parts seemed time edited.
JC: When
acting take by take it’s very difficult to gauge what the film will
finally look like. That’s really the director’s job. Honestly,
when I finally got to watch the film it was quite different to what I
remembered of the script. But for my part, it was extremely important
to me to get the action right. Luckily I was working with a great
stunt team, with fantastic fight choreography from Alain, Ryan, Max
and the Thai stunt team. And it was great that they all wanted to
bring out the best in each of us, so fighters like Tony and Frank got
to show off their best moves, and I got to do what I most wanted to
do. Of course that meant I got to show off my double nunchakus, which
is my favorite weapon.
Long
fight takes are what shows off the physical skill of an actor. Look
at the great fight sets of Lau Kar Leung, a master of Hung Kuen who
directed some of the most iconic Hong Kong martial art films. He had
a great staff fight against Sammo Hung which to me is one of the
greatest onscreen fights. The choreography was so intricate! I want
to do onscreen fights like that. So with 'Jiu Jitsu' I wanted long
takes whenever I could.
Above Photo: JuJu Chan as Carmen, gets to kicking a thug in 'Jiu Jitsu' (C) 2020 Paramount All rights reserved, used for promotional purposes only, not monetized.
DT: I
refuse to spoil the plot of course for those who have not seen 'Jiu
Jitsu', but it does follow parts of the original 'Predator' film, yet
feels more physical, what are your thoughts on the story in general
not just your parts?
JC: … Ummm…
I’ve never seen 'Predator', so this story is all new to me. LOL!
DT: Ok
JuJu, homework, time to watch the original 'Predator', haha! I will
say that 'Jiu Jitsu' is getting some major ads and even a limited
theatrical run here in the U.S., I know Antony told me that the
initial premiere was supposed to be in Las Vegas, do you know if
there any plans in 2021 to do a second theatrical push, or even a
cast and crew premiere?
JC: I
haven’t heard anything like that yet. Really, this pandemic has put
a real spanner in so many plans that people aren’t willing to
organize any events yet. Let’s see how things pan out later in
2021.
Above Photo: JuJu Chan interviewing three times US National IBJJF
Champion, Mike Powers, for her new reality show ‘Fight’ N Chance’. Below
photo: Crew and participants of show.(left to right): James Louey-Producer, JuJu Chan-Host and Producer, Mike Powers-Coach, Jenee Slusarek-Participant, Duncan Gillespie-Participant, and Antony Szeto-Producer Images (C) 2020 used for
promotional purposes only, not monetized.
DT: I know you are working on two new projects. Perhaps
in a sentence or two describe the reality show you and Antony are
working on in Hong Kong, and the Database for Champion Martial
Artists.
JC: Right
now I’m working on two projects: A reality TV show that introduces
a different style of martial arts through the eyes of a new student,
and a database for martial artist called WarriorDB.com. It’s still
being built but it’s live. If anyone is interested in adding data
to it have a go!
Thank
you JuJu, for another entertaining and informative chat! Watch for a JuJu Chan
autographed photo contest early in 2021!!
Connect
with JuJu:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jujuchan JuJu Chan-Szeto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jujuchanszeto/ JuJu Chan-Szeto
IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3634777/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jujuchanszeto JuJu Chan-Szeto
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JuJutheArtist JuJu Chan-Seto
