Interview with Scott Adkins, Part 2

For Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear, we’ve been hearing comments from people all over the world who have been moved beyond their usual depths at the sheer spirit, energy and dedication of the people that made the film possible, it’s widely celebrated as being the best action movie of the year by far. If you’re an action fan and you’ve yet to see it then you’re in for real a treat, watch it and share your views with us in the comments.

In the meantime, we hear the sound of snapping twigs, crunching leaves and the occasional hissing cobra -there are grumbles in the jungle because we’ve got a little unfinished business. So without further ado, let’s continue on with part two of our exclusive interview with Scott, where he talks more about movies, training tips (for those of you with new year’s ‘keep fit’ resolutions!) and more…

Scott Adkins and Jason Statham - Expendables 2

Scott Adkins and Jason Statham – Expendables 2

So, can you tell us what was it like working with Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger for example on The Expendables 2?

Originally I was going to be in the first Expendables, but I couldn’t make it. To be with them on the set this time around them inspired me; sharing stories with Sylvester about the Rocky movies and with Arnie on his bodybuilding days was great.

Out of all the action stars/fighters that you’ve starred with so far, who’s fighting style do you like the most, who do you really resonate with?

I’d have to say Jackie Chan. He is the Buster Keaton of his day and he’s adept at every part of film making, whether acting, directing, editing and he has put his body on the line so many times. Just look at Chinese Zodiac, it’s inventive and quintessentially Jackie!

Who else would you rate as an onscreen fighter/martial artist that you’d like to work with in the future?

I’d like to work alongside Tony Jaa on an equal footing. We’re the same age, both like lots of action as well as admire each other’s work. I’d also like to work with Donnie Yen if possible.

Scott in El Gringo (2012)

Scott in El Gringo (2012)

Could you reel off your definitive list of martial arts movies?

Sure, in addition to those already mentioned in no particular order: Fist of Fury, Fearless, The Raid, Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Armour of God, Dragons Forever, and The Karate Kid (you may laugh, but it’s such a good story that kids can watch it and the message behind it is great).

Your favourite fight scenes?

Fist of Legend (the end fight too) and Wheels on Meals (end fight between Benny The Jet and Jackie Chan, I love it when Jackie is being directed by Sammo Hung) and Flash Point (the end fight).

Which of your own movies do you like the most?

Let’s see, Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear, Undisputed III: Redemption and Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning

Scott working out

Scott working out

And now the icing on the cake, your top three favourite fight scenes from your own movies.

  1. Undisputed III (end fight with Marko Zaror).
  2. Ninja II (the end fight with Kane Kosugi mentioned earlier).
  3. Undisputed III again, (the fight with capoeira expert, Lateef Crowder, he’s really fast and powerful, the transitions he can make between moves is amazing, I’d like to work with him again in the future).

We’ve seen martial artists’ physical skills and abilities become more intricate over the years, we’ve seen Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa etc all take the physical body to new heights exploring the reaches of its potential. Where do you think it evolves from here, what’s next?

These days there’s a lot about “tricking”, kids are doing this stuff, I mean it’s incredible what they can do, yet I also think they need to be grounded in some kind of solid traditional/basic practices to be able to sell the technique and the move properly. For example, if you do a jump-spinning back kick and follow with a roundhouse, you’ve got to make it connect otherwise people have the impression that it would never work in reality. If you can do the extravagant, sophisticated moves, you’ve also got to land them, otherwise you won’t sell it.

What kind of workouts do you do these days?

If I’m getting ready for a film, I’ll workout five days a week including weight training three times a week. One session will be plyometric based: for legs I do jumps, lunges, box jumps and so on. Then I’ll fit in some martial arts training and kicks. Short burst, fast running for twenty minute intervals helps burn fat and you can vary the speed. I do vary my training to keep it interesting.

Is your favourite move the Guyver kick?

Well, it became that! I think it was first done by the Korean martial arts actor, Won Jin in Operation Scorpio (aka Scorpion King).

Sombre funeral ceremony scene in Ninja II

Sombre funeral ceremony scene in Ninja II

What’s the most daring stunt you’ve ever done?

Doing lots of somersaults onto crash mats, falling a few feet after doing a ninja kick around a bar, I also ran up a turnbuckle post and did an inverted-tucked somersault in Undisputed III (in the fight we’ve mentioned against Lateef Crowder). You may not know this, but I actually trained with Cyril Rafaelli (District 13) for a few months too.

What kind of injuries have you had and how have you worked around them?

I’ve had a torn ACL, slipped disc, trapped nerves. Now I’m fine because I’ve had time to rest and stretch to make sure I maintained my mobility.

What really effective training tip would you like to share?

Make sure you show up! Sometimes it seems hard, but it still counts as training so just keep at it. Keep improving, be consistent and you’ll reach whatever goal you’re seeking; that goes for whether you’re in the gym or anything else you want to achieve.

How do you unwind and recuperate after a physically demanding workout or movie shoot?

By doing yoga. It prevents you from getting injured which can happen for example if you lift a lot of weights, you can become stiff and then something snaps.

One tip to help you jump higher?

Legendary: Tomb of the Dragon (2013)

Legendary: Tomb of the Dragon (2013)

Practice plyometrics. I’ve always been able to jump, not just training jumping specifically but just the moves that involve jumping. Just training it over and over until you can jump higher and higher. I think I’ve always been a good natural long and high jumper and played for my county whilst at school. I think it’s also something to do with the proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibres that I have, it’s useful to be blessed with good genetics!

Your top tips for achieving the splits?

Just keep stretching everyday while watching TV, relaxing and resetting the nerves to get accustomed to it and then go a little further to stimulate beyond the last reset point.

For gaining more muscle?

Eat a lot of protein and hit the gym. I myself eat lean chicken, turkey mince and steak.

For abdominals?

Watching your diet and dropping body fat. Twists and turns and flexing your transverse abdominals are better than sit-ups and your core also gets a workout from your other exercises. Keep training until you make these a natural part of yourself.

For getting lean and cut?

I stop eating carbs after 4pm, but it’s okay to treat yourself now and again!

Scott at the UK premiere of The Expendables 2

Scott at the UK premiere of The Expendables 2

Many people remark how remarkable you looked (and performed) in Undisputed III would you say that was the best shape and condition you ever appeared in any of your movies?

Yes, that was my best condition, I was 91kg in Undisputed II, and carrying more muscle mass, but I was more cut in Undisputed III at 88-89kg.

What other sports do you like?

Just UFC, I watch it religiously.

Action movies can be a tough business, a decade plus, of hard work, were you ever tempted to quit and turn to other things?

Honestly this is the only profession I’ve ever wanted for myself but I guess it would be fitness based or teaching martial arts. My motivation comes from wanting to keep working, building a stronger fan base and hopefully get the chance to make bigger budget films and show Hollywood what I’m made of.

You’re a family man, married with a daughter, will you be getting her trained from young in the martial arts, and if so in what way, do you have a plan in mind?

I’m trying to teach my little girl to kick and when she does she’s very good at it, but she only wants to do it when she wants to do it. Maybe when she’s older she’ll let me teach her more, she’s only two!

What achievement so far are you particularly proud about, what’s been the highlight of your career so far?

I was very proud to be asked to be in Expendables 2 with all the action legends. It’s a bit like getting a badge of honour from the best in the business, so it was great to be included.

BOYKA! Undisputed II

BOYKA! Undisputed II

What projects are next in the pipeline for you?

Aside from Undisputed IV, I’m just waiting for the right projects to line up.

Well Scott, this has been a fascinating discussion -it’s been a real honour and privilege so far! How has your interview with Kung-fu Kingdom (KFK) been?

I enjoyed it Raj, and happy to see a UK based Kung fu website so keep it up guys!

We wish you all the best with Ninja II and a truly successful 2014. Happy New Year!

Thanks also to everyone for their support and checking out Ninja II, I really appreciate it. Happy New Year all!

In case you missed them, read part 1 with Scott, and catch up with our other interviews with Ninja II star Kane Kosugi, action choreographer Tim Man, action actor/martial artist Jawed El Berni and director Isaac Florentine.

Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear is available on Blu-ray and iTunes

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Raj Khedun

Raj, a wing chun student, enjoys spending time studying various aspects of the martial arts, from theory to practically applied skills. He enjoys interviewing prominent and dedicated martial artists from all over the world, who have something inspiring and stimulating to share. He also manages projects in terms of filming, reviews of movies/books and other quality features.

7 Comments
  1. Reply
    Aurelien Henry OBAMA January 2, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    Awesome interview, Scott is now at best of his art, a wonderful actor and impressive martial arts. We pray oneday he comes to Africa and acts great martial art movie there. He has big fan base over there. He’s true role model in action film industry, he does his own stunts and showcase his art through wonderful movies. I pray to Almighty God that his career just keep up shining throughout his life. Happy New Year 2014

  2. I’m a real fan of what Scott has to offer. Ninja 2 kicks ass and I consider it the movie of the year. Truly facinating fights and tricking stuff, he’s the next generation with the smooth and polished screen fights you see nowadays along with Tony Jaa, Marko Zaror, Lateef Crowder etc. I practice martial arts myself for almost a decade, my wish for Mr Scott Adkins: keep doing what you’re good at and that’s kicking the action off the screen, you rule! Happy New Year.

  3. Seeing the list of the injuries Scott’s had to work around in making movies reminds me of Jason Statham’s recent comment that action actors and stunt people are not receiving the recognition the deserve. I couldn’t agree more – they are WAY past due for some Oscars, and Scott is probably due at least two dozen by now!

  4. Thank You.

  5. It’s really interesting to hear how Scott trains for his roles; you hear about these secret training programs used by action stars in magazines and on the web, but it’s nice to get some facts directly from them as here. Here’s hoping Undisputed 4 does well, Scott Adkins is such an underrated actor/martial artist.

  6. The UK has produced so many great martial artists, it’s great to see Scott Adkins flying the flag in such high profile roles for films such as “The Expendables 2”, and taking the lead in his own films such as “Ninja” and “Undisputed 2”. I’d love to see him face off with another great UK martial artist, Ray Park, one day!

  7. Hard-hitting and solid like his abs, Scott shows us his softer side as he teaches his young daughter the joys of kicking!

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