Chad Stahelski’s most recent neo-noir spectacle in the John Wick series was no short of a masterpiece. Amassing widespread critical acclaim and a hefty box office collection of over $400 million, John Wick 4 got crowned as the highest-grossing film in the classic action franchise.
But Keanu Reeves’ obvious charm paired with his incredible fight sequences wasn’t the only reason why the film gained so much recognition; Hiroyuki Sanada’s iconic face-off with Donnie Yen was perhaps one of the most thrilling parts of the movie. And when it comes to action, the Japanese actor doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Hiroyuki Sanada’s Penchant for Action Isn’t Going Away
Even at the age of 62, Hiroyuki Sanada admires action sequences just as much as he did during his prime. Age is a mere number and that is certainly not going to stop the actor from doing his own stunts, no matter how gritty, which is why the fights in John Wick 4 were more of a treat for him than laborious scenes to be performed.
In a fairly recent interview with Esquire, the Mortal Kombat star revealed how the “creation of the moves” happened to be one of the most special aspects of performing his own stunts. “The creation [of the moves]—and picking up on others’ ideas—it’s a good conversation with the body,” he said.
Growing up as a child star, Sanada looked up to actors who used their bodies to express themselves, be it through dancing or singing. “I thought, ‘That was really a service. I want to do everything by myself,'” he remarked. The same goes for action projects which happen to hold a rather momentous significance for him. And as long as there is life in his limbs, Sanada doesn’t plan on giving up that part of his career.
“Action is one of my skills. If the script calls for me to do it myself, I do. Until I can’t walk.”
Talk about devotion.
How He Utilizes Martial Arts in Real Life
Sanada’s affiliation with action sprang at an incredibly early age of 11 when he joined Chiba’s Japan Action Club and started to hone his physical abilities. Besides being known for his work in popular films like The Last Samurai (2003) and The Wolverine (2013), and 47 Ronin (2013), to name a few, Sanada is also a devoted martial artist.
Martial arts, the Rush Hour 3 star believes, is not just a transcending sport for the body but also reaps numerous benefits for one’s mental health. “Practicing martial arts, it’s good training for both the body and the mental,” he noted. “We learn a lot of mental strength and how to be kind to others. It’s so useful in real life, especially on set. Moviemaking is all teamwork.”
John Wick: Chapter 4 can be purchased on Apple TV for streaming.
Source: Esquire
