Action stars have a universal appeal, says Jason Statham

For Hollywood actor Jason Statham, acting was never on the agenda. “It just kind of happened by accident, which is one of those lucky right time and right place moments,” says the actor who today ranks high among the top action stars in the West. Best known for films like The Transporter, Crank, Snatch, and The Bank Job among many others, the actor is at present looking forward to The Expendables 2, the second installment of the hit action flick The Expendables that once again sees him in the league of the action heavyweights Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jean Claude Van Damme and Jet Li. Here the action star talks about working with his action hero Sly, and also reveals how’s it pulling off all the risky stunts himself…

What draws you to action movies?
I just think these are the kind of actors that both girls and guys like. They have a universal appeal.

Was it ever intimidating at any point working with senior action stars like Stallone or Arnold?
Nah. You know, they’re very warm personalities. They’re very charismatic and they wouldn’t do anything but want you to feel at ease. They don’t try to intimidate, they’re happy you like their films.

Were any of them your heroes while growing up?
From Rambo to Rocky VI, Mr Stallone is the one I looked at as the action hero.

Did you always want to be an actor?
I’ve always been a very enthusiastic kid when it comes to action films. I’ve been interested in martial arts for years and competed as an athlete for 12 or 15 years for the country. I’ve always been interested in exploring in front of the camera. But I never went through the traditional route of going to drama school. I kind of just fell into it. Somebody put me in a room with Guy Ritchie and he decided to give me a part in a movie, so it’s not like I had a burning desire to be an actor. It just kind of happened by accident.

How is The Expendables 2 different from the part one?
It’s definitely bigger in scale. The change in this one is also that in the first Expendables, Schwarzenegger and Willis just had a cameo. Now, they have a real part in the movie. So, this is now a big movie with three of the greatest action heroes who have ever lived.

You are known to perform most of your stunts yourself…
We rehearse a lot. So, during a stunt, we know exactly how to land and what kind of expression goes where. It’s usually the fight scenes that you get accustomed to having an injury, and nothing too bad on this one. Just a few bruised muscles and that was about it.

Would you consider working in Bollywood?
Yes I’m aware of Bollywood. But what is most important is the director and the script. I’m not just going to hop on a plane and go anywhere, even Hollywood. I wouldn’t turn up to do a job just because it was here. The glove has to fit the hand. Making movies are great no matter where you are.