What got you excited aboutDragon Blade?
I was intrigued by a documentary about Roman soldiers lost in China I watched seven years ago. I decided to do some research on the subject. What took me by surprise was Daniel Lee (director) was also working on a similar idea. We decided to work together. What I found most interesting was how Daniel found a way to deliver my message of peace within a commercial storyline.
How was it working with John Cusack and Adrien Brody?
Both are very talented. John is also a director and producer, and gave a lot of inputs to his character. Adrien, of course, is an Oscar winner. He was very passionate about his character. What surprised me was how he came to the sets alone without an assistant.
You recently turned 60. How much harder is it for you to do your stunts now?
My role has changed. I want audiences to consider me an actor who can do action, not just an action star. I want to try different roles — that’s why in recent years I have made The Karate Kid , 1911 , CZ12 , Police Story 2013 and now Dragon Blade .
As action films rely more on CGI, do you feel the art of capturing action realistically will fade away?
In Dragon Blade, all of the action is real — we built the physical set, used 350 crew members, 800 extras and 200 horses… Our locations were not created on green screens in studio and we shot in the real desert in Aksai in China's Gansu Province.
You had saidChinese Zodiacwould be your last big action movie. But evenDragon Bladeseems to have a few breathtaking stunts.
I said I was thinking of doing less BIG action movies. I would still like to do more drama. That's what attracted me to Dragon Blade .
You have a lot of fans here in India. Any plans to act in Bollywood?
To be honest, I watch very few Bollywood movies. But the one I love the most is 3 Idiots . And I really love Aamir Khan.
I'm planning to start a movie called Kungfu Yoga this year. So I will be coming to film it in India soon.
