Already a veteran in the business Michael Jai White brought in his huge experience and skills. So he is a important pillar for the success of "Undisputed II: Last Man Standing". With an impressing performance and good fights Michael Jai White adds another good movie to his filmography and will hopefully be back in the cinema soon.
Before you began to act you worked as a junior high school teacher. It is a little bit hard to imagine you with your deep penetrating voice, the impressive charisma and the serious look in front of the young children. Didn't your pupils stand in awe when they saw you for the first time? Or was that no problem because you were sensitive enough and they didn't know your skills? Which reasons led you into this job?
I think teachers come in all shapes and sizes. My mentor was a teacher who luckily for me, took an interest in me and inspired me to go to college. I was a troubled kid so I knew how to reach and teach other troubled children so, that became my specialty. Delinquent children are not easily intimidated no matter how big you are. They respected me because I understood them. I think teaching is one of the most important jobs in the world though teachers are not paid well enough for it.
You hold seven bleck belts in different Martial Arts forms. These skills primarily made you famous and are also the key for your success. How did your passionfor these sports begin? Can you particularize teachers or inspiring examples after all these years?
I believe I was insecure as a child and I simply wanted to be stronger. I was afraid of being vulnerable. I found strength in the images of martial artists like Bruce Lee, Joe Lewis, and Bill Wallace. In fact, I had a picture of Joe Lewis on my wall. I wanted to look like him. Now I've trained with him for years and know him as a friend. I have been blessed to have learned from some of the best in the world. My original instructor is Shigeru Oyama. I have trained with Benny Urquides, Byong Yu, Bill Wallace, Bobby Lowe (highest-ranked in Kyokoshin), Shokai Matsui (chief of Kyokoshin), Jhoon Rhee, Eric Chen, and Wu Bin(Jet Li's teacher).
Meanwhile you are active since over 25 years in the film business. You started with minor parts in "The Toxic Avenger, Part II" and "The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie". How did you get the roles? Why did you decide to enter into the film business?
There was an ad for auditions in the paper, I went and they selected me for a role. I eventually did the fight choreography for the movie as well. Later, while on vacation from teaching, I decided to go into the film business seriously. I thought I should give it my best effort.
In the following years you play minor roles further. For example your little appearences in "Ring of Fire", "Full Contact", "Lion Strike" and "Ballistic" didn't attract attention. You were seven years in the business but without a leading role or important supporting roles. So have you ever thought about dropping out during that time or were you patient enough to gain experiences until your chance?
During that time, I was doing parts in commercials and television shows. I was offered a contract with a "B" movie film company to do straight-to-video martial art films but, I refused. I wanted to be established as a legitimate actor first. Still to this day, 80% of my work is legitimate drama. I've only begun to do martial arts action in the last six years. I still haven't shown my full martial arts capabilities in a film yet. I am going to have my chance when I film my new upcoming movie, Blood and Bone. This has always been my plan and I have never thought of dropping out.
In the year 1997 you could eventual celebrate the breakthrough. "Spawn" catapulted you into the cinemas and was a big success with box-office takings of 55 Million $. How did you get the leading role? Were you the first choice? Overnight you were a big star. How difficult were this new status for you? By the way: Do you know any news about a sequel? Since years there are rumours but nothing definitive. Currently you work with Todd McFarlane on "Spawn: The Animation". Has he something new in mind?
In Spawn, I just auditioned and got the role. I was cast as Jax in Mortal Kombat but, New Line wanted me to play Spawn. The "star-status" thing was never difficult for me. My heros were never actors. They were real men in the real world like senseis, police officers, and teachers. There continue to be rumors about Spawn 2, there have been for years. I spoke to Todd McFarlane months ago and I know he intends on doing a sequel. I am not sure when.
Two years later you had your next big role in "Universal Soldier: The Return". You play the opponent of Jean-Claude Van Damme and steal him the show after Dolph Lundgren refused to come back. Unfortunately the movie was a flop but the action was imposing. For the first time you competed with another very famous Martial Arts fighter. How was the relationship between you and Van Damme? Did you know him already before or was the filming your first contact with him? Why do you think the movie wasn't a success?
I met Jean Claude on Universal Soldier, part 1. I was "soldier #2." Jean Claude and I trained together on that movie and always got along great. Years later, in the sequel, we got along just as well. This was the first movie where I showed a bit of my martial arts skills. Unfortunately, the script and the director were not very good. I wanted to show myself when compared to a martial arts icon like Van Damme. I achieved my purpose.
Again two years later you acted in "Exit Wounds" alongside Steven Seagal and DMX the obscure cop Lewis Strutt. Unfortunately it was your last cinema appearence till now. It is a very stylish movie with a lot of action in oldschool style, gunplay, swordplay and excellent fights. Especially the final showdown between you and Seagal is a highlight. How was it to work with him? At lot of people say he is difficult.
Dion Lam choreographed the fights and he used a lot of wirework. Do you prefer real fights without these facilities or have you no problem with this technique?
Again, I wanted to compare myself with another martial arts icon in Steven Segal. I had worked with him three other times in the past. It is true he can be difficult at times but, I had no problem with him. He is a very gifted choreographer and technician. Dion Lam is an incredible, one of the best, fight technicians I have ever worked with. I don't prefer wirework.
Two years ago you were involved in the Hongkong blockbuster "Silver Hawk". I personally think you are the only reason to watch this style over substance movie although your role was a little bit to small and Michelle Yeoh was the star. The pictures are too clinical and the story very stereotyped. With your expressive performance you are the only actor who make a lasting impression to the audience. This step to Hongkong was a little bit atypical for you. Did the producer contact you or did you seek the part? What is your opinion about the movie finally?
I wanted to increase my audience globally. I love working in other countries. I learned a lot about choreography and camera angles on the set of Silver Hawk. In any movie, I am responsible for being the best I can be, for my fans and for myself. Yes, the producer contacted me and I happily responded. I thought the movie wasn't to the standard of today's audience. The producer and director concentrated too much on look and not enough on story.
"Undisputed II: Last Man Standing" could become the next cult movie although there is no offical release date yet. Till now I only saw the trailer but what I saw looks great. I personally love Isaac Florentine's direction with this Hong Kong influence and the excellent fights. Hopeful he make his breakthrough with this movie. How much experience did you bring in on set? You worked with the highly talented Scott Adkins who is in my opinion one of the next Martial Arts stars. Could you pass some of your experiences on to him? And what is your opinion about the completed movie?
One of the reasons you may not see me in a movie for years at a time is because I refuse a lot of them. When I read the script for Undisputed II: Last Man Standing, I knew I could help make it a great movie. I always wanted to work with Isaac Florentine and we finally got the chance. I finally got another chance to combine acting skills with fighting skills. I think it is a really good movie. Scott Adtkins was a pleasure to work with. I think he is as talented an actor as he is martial artists. I coached him a lot on boxing technique and nuances of realistic fighting. He worked hard. I unfortunately couldn't show much martial arts skills because I had to play a boxer who only begins to learn a little martial arts. Hopefully in the future Scott and I will rejoin to do a full martial arts fight scene.
In the nineties the direct to video market flourished. Jeff Wincott, Gary Daniels, Billy Blanks, Richard Norton and many more made one movie after another. This subgenre had and has a big fanbase. Was it for you never an option to go only into pure Martial Arts movies?
I only wanted to do martial art movies after I was established as a legitimate actor. Now I want to become the biggest martial arts action star in the world.
Again and again you play in different tv productions such as "Tyson" and "Mutiny" or diverse series and demonstrate your ability to act apart from action movies. Is it for you a little bit frustrating that bigger productions only want you because your fight skills?
Unless I am starring, the only other roles right for me in bigger action productions are unfortunately bad guys. Most productions have only a few good guys and multiple bad guys. Unfortunately, in this country, most studios images of a good guy are not black
"Blade" - Screenwriter David Goyer developed an own tv series about the daywalker for Spike TV. I think you are the perfect choice after Wesley Snipes isn't involved. Did you endeavor for this role or was this nothing for you?
I want to concentrate on doing movies.
Which movie is in your opinion your best and why?
My best movie, I feel, is Thick as Thieves. It was entertaining, funny, and I got a chance to create a character that has become the favorite of many. Most people who see this movie say it's their favorite of mine as well. Although playing Mike Tyson was a great challenge, since everyone knew him if I got it wrong everyone would know.
Do you have further activities apart from the movie business? For example a dojo where you teach young students?
I do teach Kyokoshin at a local dojo and I do motivational speaking to juvenile delinquents throughout the United States.
You worked with so many directors such as Andrzej Bartkowiak, Isaac Florentine, Mark A.Z. Dippé, Roland Emmerich, Mic Rodgers or Rick Jacobson. Is there a filmmaker you would especially gladly work again with?
Yes, my favorite director/film maker is Scott Sanders, director of Thick as Thieves. Also Uli Edel, director of Tyson, and Isaac Florentine would be great to work with again
Your actually movie "Cross" is in production. You play the leading role and co-produce the movie. Can you describe the movie a little bit because informations about "Cross" are rare. I read you are security guard in New York who must find his ex-girlfriend - a singer. What can the audience expect? I heard the budget is with 5 Million $ not very high. Is it a thriller or a drama? Will you fight?
What you've heard about Cross is correct. It is like a new version of Shaft. I fight Bob Sapp and many others in the movie.
Do you have more movies in development? Anything definitive?
I have a variety of movies in development. Check my website regularly for updates.
Ok, the closing words are yours. If you want to say something to your german fans is this your chance.
When I was young, I had a favorite movie star. One day I saw one of his movies and it was bad and he was bad in it. I could tell he didn't care and only did it for the money. I felt betrayed. I never watched another one of his movies again. To my German fans I will always do my best, no matter what. It means a lot that you believe in me. I wont let you down.
