Episode 75 - Lee Charles / James Nunn

Episode 75 - Lee Charles / James Nunn

Author: Ben Johnson November 1, 2021 Duration: 1:24:37

It has taken six years for director James Nunn to bring his one-take, real-time action movie to the screen. During that time, 'one-shot' movies like 'Birdman' and '1917' have not only dominated at the box office, but they have also been lauded by critics. In many ways, Nunn's intense, relentless thriller, 'One Shot' - which is released theatrically and on VOD services in the USA on 5 November 2021 courtesy of Screen Media Films - is an even more remarkable achievement, considering its comparatively low-budget and 20-day shooting schedule ('1917', by comparison, was made in 65 days). Nunn puts the success of the film down to a huge amount of preparation, and an incredibly hard-working cast and crew - especially its leading actor, Scott Adkins, who is intimately followed through every long-take, moving from dialogue scenes to gun battles, knife fights, explosions and punch-ups. As a technical feat, there's nothing quite like it in the DTV action world. In this conversation, James explores the film's many great performances - from Adkins to co-stars Ashley Greene Khoury, Ryan Phillippe, and the MMA fighter Jess Liaudin - and lifts the lid on how it was made.


Lee Charles - "the Al Leong of British cinema", according to fight choreographer Tim Man - has fought on-screen with some of the world's biggest action stars. He took a clobbering from Dave Bautista in 'Final Score' (2018), and tired to take out Sope Dirisu as 'Lenn the Butcher' in an iconic, grisly battle scene in the TV show, 'Gangs of London', co-created by 'The Raid's Gareth Evans. His role as a French mercenary in 'One Shot' marks another opportunity for him to go toe-to-toe with Scott Adkins - the duo worked together on Nunn's previous Adkins flicks, 'Green Street 3: Never Back Down' (2013) and 'Eliminators' (2016), plus roles in 'Accident Man' (2018) and 'Avengement' (2019). Charles is the walking embodiment of his own life motto - that anything is achievable through hard work. He's currently working with his childhood hero, Sylvester Stallone, on the all-star action sequel, 'The Expendables 4'. We discuss his multifaceted life and career; from Everton FC to six-time World Kickboxing Champion, training with Benny "The Jet" Urquidez and making it in the movies.


LINKS

One Shot trailer: https://youtu.be/Et5Cgq1B2_g

One Shot website: https://screenmediafilms.net/film/3352/One-Shot

One Shot review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/OneShot2021

James Nunn on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2071556/

James Nunn on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjamesnunn

James Nunn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesnunn/

James Nunn on Episode 14 of the Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: http://bit.ly/KFMGPodEpisode14

Lee Charles on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3124775/

Lee Charles on Twitter: https://twitter.com/leeacharles

Lee Charles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrleeacharles/

Lee Charles on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leecharlesactor/


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There's a particular magic in the stories behind the fights, the philosophy woven into the choreography, and the sheer dedication it takes to create martial arts cinema. The Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast is built on those stories, offering a backstage pass to the world of Hong Kong action, classic Shaw Brothers epics, and modern martial arts filmmaking. Host Ben Johnson, who created the extensive kungfumovieguide.com resource, sits down for detailed conversations with the very people who bring these films to life. Each episode features an unscripted, in-depth interview with actors who threw the punches, stunt performers who designed the falls, directors who framed the shots, and choreographers who turned violence into poetry. You'll hear about their career paths, the challenges on set, and the deep, personal passion that fuels their work. This isn't just a surface-level recap of famous movies; it's about the craft, the history, and the human effort behind every iconic scene. For anyone who has ever wondered about the artistry behind a perfectly executed fight sequence or the legacy of a genre that spans decades, this podcast provides a rich, engaging listen. Tune in for genuine insights from the heart of martial arts cinema.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast
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