Moroccan Martial Arts Movie Fans

The Moroccan Fan Club Of Martial Arts Movie And Stunts

Exclusive Interview With Martial Arts movie Star TONY JAA

Jaa Panom, well known in the west as Tony Jaa. The actor, director and fight choregrapher began his career in the film industry in the early 90’s with his mentor Panna Rittikrai. He made his first leading debut in 2003's Ong Bak which took the Thai film industry to a new level. Tony Jaa would later lead again in 2005's Tom Yum Goong followed up with Ong Bak 2 & 3. Most recently he returned to work on 2013's Tom Yum Goong 2  and coming in 2015 three new films will be released as well. Skin Trade, Fast and Furious 7 and SPL2. We had a chance to interview Tony Jaa and discover more about his life and career, we also shared with him some information from Morocco, enjoy the interview.

Thank you Mr Jaa for hosting our facebook page and blog « The Moroccan fan club of martial arts movie and stunts », we are so pleased to have the opportunity to do this interview with you . 

What has changed with you after being a husband and father from the Tony Jaa that first broke into the industry? 

• Tony :  I have more experience in the movies and in life. I also have more responsibilities as a father and a husband. I guess you could say it is part of growing up. I love making movies but my family is very important to me, so I realise I must balance my time.

You've said in many occasions that Bruce lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li were your idols and they gave you the motivation to be like them. How do you feel after reaching your goal and becoming a huge icon in martial arts film industry ? 

• Tony  :  I think one never really reaches their goal, you reach milestones and you reset your goal. In that sense I practice a range of martial arts quite regularly, but I like the idea of martial arts integrated into action/drama films that tell a good story. One of the problems with some martial arts films is that the story is weak. I think it is important to have great action but a great story and good acting. It makes the whole thing more interesting and more complete.    

 After finishing your contract with Sahamongkol and moving to the international market, are we going to see Tony Jaa in Thai movies again?  

• Tony  :  For the moment I will concentrate on international movies, the budgets, equipment, crews and scripts give more chance for a bigger more interesting movie while still allowing me to do the type of action and acting that I enjoy. 

Scott Adkins, Iko Uwais and Donnie Yen are the best guys working nowadays in martial arts movie industry. If you had an offer to work with one of these guys would you accept ?

• Tony  :  Scott and I are friends, he is a great martial artist and a great actor. We have talked often about doing something together. We are looking for the right project and story. It is often not a question of only working with someone whether it would be Donnie Yen or Iko Uwais, it is also the quality and type of movie that must be considered.

The Fast and Furious 7 official trailer was released  few weeks ago, you appeared for like three seconds or less and the trailer gave the impression your playing a villain who would likely die in the end. Is that an accurate assumption or might fans see you return to the franchise ?

• Tony  :   I am not really allowed to answer questions on Fast 7, but parts of your assumption might be quite wrong. The trailer was geared to show the original cast for the most part, so you might have some surprises coming when you watch the film.

 

People recognized you at the beginning for your realistic fight style « no special effects, no wires » Do you plan to continue to be faithful to this principle? 

• Tony  :  I actually don’t like wires. I prefer not to use them. There were wires and a lot of CG used in Protector 2 and I think the movie lost something because of it.

Most fans know you have wrapped the filming of SPL2, how was your first experience in Hong Kong and how was working with an icon like Wu Jing ?

• Tony:  I had a great time doing the movie, about half of it was shot in Thailand. Wu Jing, Simon, Max and Terence the Director were really nice people and great to work with.

After SPL2, do you plan do make any Hong Kong movies in the futur ?

• Tony  :  You never know. My manager and I read scripts all the time. As I said earlier it is really a question of the quality of the story that interests me.

We heard lately you turned down your role in Kickboxer just few days before the filming, what this the reason you were unable to stay on board ?

• Tony :  I had schedule conflicts because the shooting was delayed several times.

Since we are talking about Kickboxer, do you know that the character Tong Po, the brutal Thai fighter in the original is in fact Moroccan. His name is Mohamed Qissi and living now in Morocco, do you have any memories about this movie and does it effected you somehow ?

• Tony :  I have actually talked with Michel (His French name) on Skype with JCVD. I enjoyed the original movie it was simple but very fresh at the time. I think the reboot will have a hard time matching the original.

What do you know about Morocco and do you know the kickboxing world champion Badr Hari ?

• Tony :   Of course I know who Badr Hari is and he is awesome. I have always wanted to visit Morocco and I am sure I will get there one of these days.

How was your recent visit to Africa and how did you find people and culture there?  

• Tony  :  I had an amazing time in Africa. People everywhere were so friendly and polite. I felt very much at home. Visiting the "Maasai Mara" was really a fantastic experience for me that I will never forget.

You have been in Dubai and Jordan recently. Is there any habits in common between the Arab culture and Thai culture?

• Tony  :  Politeness and hospitality are common to both cultures and I really appreciated this. I must say I also really liked the food.

One fan asked, if you got the role of Bruce Lee’s previous character Lee in a Enter the dragon remake or sequel would you accept it ?

• Tony :  Those would be very hard shoes to fill. 
  

 A fan asked, if you could make a kung fu movie with 5 kung fu actors, past or present, who would you choose ? 

• Tony :  I would have loved to have been in a movie with Bruce Lee, he was the equal of 5 Kung Fu actors.

One last word for the international fans and also the Moroccan fans.

• Tony :  Thanks so much for taking the time to ask me questions and for following my activities I really appreciate it. Best wishes to the gang in Morocco. TJ

Thank you Tony for the fun interview, best wishes .

 

Follow Tony Jaa on his official Facebook page : Tony Jaa Official 

And don't forget to check out : Skin Trade , Fast and Furious 7 official trailers.

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