Michael Jai White on his new film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 and The Dark Knight…

Enough from the clown!

Thats how I was concerned he would respond to my questions.

In London to promote his new action movieFalcon Rising, he was kind enough to spare us some time.

One of the things that makesFalcon Risingstand apart from other DTV action films is its Brazilian location.

Its a particularly colorful film.

How important was the setting to you?

Life hangs on a very delicate string in Brazil, as you know.

So I think it ramps up the danger in quite an organic way.

One of the other things I really liked your face, in the fight scenes, is really expressive.

In fight scenes Im only used to seeing gritted teeth and grimaces.

How difficult is it to be so expressive while remembering complex choreographed fight routines?

Well, its really about whats going on in the mind of the character.

A lot of people forget to act during the fighting and they go into a fighting mode.

Does take any toll on you to play a character like that?

But its not like I come home with any effects.

The market for VOD films likeFalcon Risingseems to have really changed over the last few years.

I think theyre being treated with as bit more respect.

Is that something youve noticed, that people are perhaps a bit more open to these films now?

I think they were always open to this throw in of film.

I dont think that ever has died.

And I think that really hasnt gone.

I think, just going back to the formula that works.

It worked then and it works now.

Theres a particular scene inFalcon Risingthat troubled me.

The toilet head dunking scene.

laughs

For my piece of mind, that was just good set dressing, right?

Yes, that was a brand new toilet, and it was just colored water.

Theres a camera on the other end of it.

So you dont shake the guys hand after the scene.

Its still like, the worst thing is, my heart goes out to the guy.

Because Im grossed out by my hand getting wet and his face is in the toilet.

Yeah, for him, especially after a few takes…

No, he was going for it.

He was a great actor.

Did anything like that occur onFalcon Rising, and how do you attempt to prevent that from happening?

No, I never had any injuries.

Of course you want to be mindful of those.

Youre going to take a risk no matter what.

I really dont worry about it too much, I just take precautions.

How was it to work with those guys?

Well Tony Jaa is a good friend of mine.

In fact, I just left him a couple of days ago.

Myself, my wife and he and his wife, we vacation together.

Hes quite a good friend of mine.

But that stuff is a lot of fun.

Youve done a few comic book movies through your career.

Do you have any memories of the day?

One fond memory that I have, when we were shooting they asked me Is that advertising anything?

and said Well, no.

This was to get kids interested in joining his karate studio.

And on comes me, his competitor, with my actual shirt on, advertising my karate school.

And thats really funny because when that scene came up hes like Michael, you bastard!

and he cursed me out.

So, probably the comic book movie youre more famous for isThe Dark Knight.

You have two really important scenes in that.

Not even a little bit.

I dont even think about.

I actually shot a little bit more than what wound up in the movie.

But I dont make expectations for almost anything anymore.

I just do it and I keep moving forward.

I know youve had an animated version, but is there any chance of a sequel?

Well, when I craftedBlack Dynamite, there were three movies I wanted to do in that genre.

One was a horror movie in the style ofBlacula, and another one was a western.

And the western is something that I may be doing next.

Its kind of likeBlack DynamitemeetsBlazing Saddles.

Was the original one as much fun to make as it looked?

Oh, it was absolute fun.

It was one of the most fun times Ive ever had on a set.

Now, Im a bit of a Steven Seagal fan.

And you worked on his only directorial effort,On Deadly Ground, as part of the stunt team.

How was that experience?

Because Ive read that he doesnt necessarily always get on with the stunt teams on movies.

Well, personally, I dont know of him getting on with anyone.

I mean, to be honest with you, I actually feel sorry for the guy.

I have stories of working on that thing with him; none of them are good.

[Laughs]

I just find him kind of fascinating.

I find him fascinating too, in a real comedic sort of way.

Well, Im assuming you dont want to get into this.

Hey, its up to you.

Youre a fan of his, I dont want to destroy your…

Oh, Im a realist.

Ive heard things about him before.

Are they any different?

[Laughs] But isnt it like,Transporter 12?

Nah, Im serious.

Umm, er..

A popular one would beCrank.Cranks pretty good.

Dont let me lead you or anything.

Well,Crankwas, he really got to show his comedic side.

And of course, my favorite was the Guy Richie one.

But that was for the whole movie.

ButCrank, he had fun in that and it showed.

Im not sure if hes been having fun in some of the other ones.

It doesnt look like hes having that much fun.

But inCrankit looked like he had a lot of fun.

I didnt have fun withExpendables 3.

Did you seeExpendables 3?

Yeah, I couldnt believe that they did that.

[Laughs] Right.

Thats a perfect way to say it.

They took away what was special about the movie.

I said Expendablesis gonna destroy them.

And hes like Are you crazy, a bunch of B movie actors?

And it happened exactly like I said, because I understand the action world.

No matter what, people want to have a beer and live vicariously through people that they believe.

Some little Hollywood, 90 pound person that is not believable.

So I was happy whenExpendablescame out and proved me right.

But I wasnt happy about them becoming, ultimately, what those other movies were.

Thank you, Michael Jai White.

Falcon Rising is out now.