Scott Adkins in ‘Diablo.’ Photo Courtesy of Lionsgate.
British actor and martial artist Scott Adkins chatted about starring in the new action film “Diablo” opposite Marko Zaror.
Ernesto Díaz Espinoza directed from a screenplay that was written by Mat Samson, Adkins, and Zaror.
The synopsis is: After his release from prison, one man makes it his mission to right a terrible wrong by revealing a secret that could end his life.
Scott Adkins stars as Kris Chaney, a warrior who seizes the daughter of a Colombian gangster to fulfill a noble promise to the young girl’s mother.
When her father enlists both the criminal underworld and the terrifying psychotic killer El Corvo (Marko Zaror) to exact his revenge, Kris will need to draw upon everything he has ever learned — in and out of lockup — to stay alive and keep his word.
Adkins on starring in ‘Diablo’
On starring in the thriller “Diablo,” Adkins said, “It was hard work, as you can tell if you’ve seen the movie. It was great to work with Marko Zaror again, who has been a very good friend of mine since 2009.”
“His directing partner, Ernesto Díaz Espinoza, is a fantastic director and an undiscovered talent,” Adkins added.
Working with Ernesto Díaz Espinoza as the director
On working with Ernesto Díaz Espinoza, Adkins stated, “Ernesto is going to have a great future because he has done a phenomenal job with this movie. Ernesto is smart and he really knows what he wants.”
“It was a pleasure to work with Ernesto in every single way; he understands the action, the story and the characters. We are looking to doing something else soon,” Adkins added.
Working with Marko Zaror as a co-lead actor and filmmaker
On working with Marko Zaror, Adkins said, “Marko is a good friend of mine. We are very similar in many ways. I look at him as one of the very best action martial arts guys in the business.”
“Marko is one of the most athletic people I’ve ever seen in my life. I wouldn’t want to have a proper fight with him, but he’s great and he is a pure athlete and a pure martial artist,” Adkins noted.
“While Marko is very intimidating on the screen, but he is such a super nice guy. Marko is brilliant and great and I love him,” he added.
Adkins on ‘John Wick’ movies and ‘Lights Out’
On being a part of the “John Wick” movies, Adkins said, “It was hot in that fat suit, so I was happy when I got rained on even though we were in a club.”
When asked about his experience in “Lights Out,” he remarked, “It was a quick one for me, to be honest.” “It was fun to work with Frank Grillo and all the other guys,” he admitted.
Adkins on Louis Mandylor
Adkins praised Louis Mandylor as a director and actor. “Louis Mandylor is one of my closest friends in the business,” Adkins said.
“Louis has proven to be a brilliant director, and people will see that when they see ‘Prisoner of War.’ It was a struggle to make the film in the Philippines in the rainy season but it turned out great,” Adkins elaborated.
“I am really happy with it. I am going to make another movie with Louis as the director,” he added.
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, Adkins said, “I am still trying to wrap my head around it. Here we are having a good ole chat on Zoom, so that helps. I don’t have to travel around the world going to press junkets.”
“I can talk to you from anywhere. I am pretty freaked out by this AI stuff that I’m seeing. I don’t know what to think of it anymore,” Adkins added.
Advice for young and aspiring actors
For young and emerging actors, he dissuaded them by saying, “Don’t do it.”
“It’s tough; don’t do it,” he reiterated. “If you ignore my advice, then maybe it’s for you. It’s tough; you need to want it. Nobody is going to give it to you.”
Career-defining moments
Adkins noted that playing Russian MMA fighter Yuri Boyka in the “Undisputed” films was a defining moment for him because that was the role that defined him for a lot of people. “That’s the most popular character I’ve played,” he revealed.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Adkins said, “I don’t know what is going on with this AI business.”
“It’s called ‘Ouch.’ I get up in the morning and my body hurts,” he clarified.
Superpower of choice
Adkins’ superpower of choice would be “Invisibility.”
Favorite motto to live by
His favorite motto to live by is the following: “Stay ready; don’t have to get ready.” “That’s the one I live by,” he said.
Best advice he has ever been given
On the best advice he has ever been given, he shared, “It came from ‘The Expendables 2.’ Jean-Claude Van Damme and I played bad guys. I told him ‘we’re the bad guys; we have to die in the movie.’ Jean-Claude said to me: ‘let me give you a word of advice… when you die, you die like a hero.’ That’s some good advice.”
Reflecting in a rearview mirror
If he were to look back in a rearview mirror over the past decade, he reflected, “I see hard work and determination, to be honest.”
“It’s hard work making action films. You don’t realize it when you’re watching it as a kid,” he admitted.
“It’s a grind and it’s tough. You are making these movies and sometimes, you have to make them injured. It’s painful, but I love it. The end result makes it all worthwhile,” he explained.
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, Adkins said, “Success is something that is still out of reach. It’s something that I’m still striving for. I don’t feel like I’m successful; I have to keep going. I want to do better.”
Closing thoughts on ‘Diablo’
For fans and viewers, he expressed about the movie, “I want them to have 90 minutes of escapism and entertainment. It’s a good ole fashioned martial arts movie, where people are doing it for real; no CGI, no tricks, just skillful athletes pounding on one another.”
“I hope people forget about their troubles and sit back and enjoy this action film,” he acknowledged.
“I’m very proud of the film and I hope everyone can watch it,” he concluded.
To learn more about British actor and martial artist Scott Adkins, follow him on Instagram.
Read More: “Diablo” review
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