Hiroyuki Sanada, a Japanese actor, martial artist, and swordsmanship master, chopped up ‘Mortal Kombat,’ ‘Westworld,’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ making it look easy.
In David Leitch’s action thriller Bullet Train, five assassins with intertwined missions are trapped on a high-speed train in Tokyo.
“We took my ideas, David’s ideas, the choreographer’s ideas, the stuntman’s ideas and mixed them up on set,” said Leach, who worked with him on “Wolverine” as a stunt coordinator. Sanada said. “We had a couple of rehearsals, then shoot, shoot, shoot. It was so smooth and fun, especially since David already believed in my suggestions and my skills.”
Sanada will play an elder in a cast that includes Brad Pitt as one of the assassins. His son (Andrew Koji) is on a train to avenge his child’s dying revenge.
The film, which premieres on August 5, also has a great sense of humor, much to Sanada’s delight. So much so that Sanada exclaimed, “I love this movie!” when Leach suggested a little strategic blood drip during a key scene.
Since appearing in The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise in 2003, Sanada has regularly weighed in on the authenticity of film and television portrayals of Japanese culture. His latest project includes “John Wick: Chapter 4” out in March, “General” For FX, updated for a more culturally sophisticated audience, he’s both starring and producing.
“Before, I was not a producer, I was doing the same thing,” he laughs, referring to his input. “After 20 years, I finally got the title.”
In a call from Los Angeles, Sanada elaborated on what he believes is necessary to maintain a peaceful and healthy personal life.
These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
1. Jazz When I was in my early twenties, I started listening to jazz because my favorite director, Makoto Wada, was a specialist and used jazz in my films. He introduced me to many great musicians. Singer Mel Torme. Of course the trumpet is Miles Davis. And Ray Brown is my favorite bass player. Playing the double bass has become one of my hobbies him.
2. baseball player Shohei Ohtani Of course he has great talent. And he has great manners in the stadium and off with the fans. He is very polite and a good model for the younger generation. He started playing baseball when he was eight or he was nine, and he was primarily a catcher. He’s funny, that position like bass in a band.Maybe that’s why I enjoy producing and supporting others off-camera. [those positions] More than a lead guitar. [laughs]
3. Yuhi no Atonement Watching the sunset has been very healing since I was young. At that time, I was shooting a lot of action movies, so after the dangerous scenes, on the way back by car or crew bus, the sunset healed me. Ever since I started living in LA, I’ve been by the ocean and watched the sunset every day. And I felt the same. “This sea is connected to Japan. If I fail in America, I can always go back.” Then the sunset healed me. I survived.
4. The Japanese Countryside in Childhood My mother’s family was originally from Amami Oshima and was a fisherman. Her father’s family ran a farm in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture. So I have farming blood. I was born in Tokyo, but I’m not a city boy per se. I think that’s why California is so comfortable for me.
5. Oysters. . . Every time I shoot, I try to find the best oysters in town. Perhaps because of the name, I like oysters from Kumamoto. And I love Kusshie too. Small but creamy and deep. Even raw oysters are not eaten the day before the shoot. I’ve never gotten sick from oysters, but just in case.
6. . . . with wine Change color with each meal. Start with rosé and move to white, or start with white and move to red. Depends on my mood. I drink wine almost every night. Oysters and wine, it’s the perfect pairing for me.
7. Achieve 10,000 steps I love driving, exploring new places, walking and walking. I’m trying to make 100,000 a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but that’s my basic goal. Very good for mental and physical health, very good for refreshment and discovery.
8. Fishing When I was a kid, I used to go fishing with my older brother and dive for shellfish and lobsters. On my days off, I forget everything and relax and concentrate on fishing. Then I cook the fish myself. Sometimes I have a barbecue on the beach, and sometimes I take it home and make sashimi and sushi. Or bring to a boil. Or grill. Or smoke.
9. Gardening It’s a small garden, not really outside. It is located near the kitchen by the window and grows several kinds of herbs for cooking. Using her own ingredients in cooking is one of my pleasures for her. Basil, cherry tomatoes and shiso. leek and jalapeño. and mint. It goes well with cocktails.
10. Golfer Hideki Matsuyama I was so proud of him when he won the 2021 Masters Tournament.he made a new history [by becoming the first Japanese man to win a major golf championship]It gave dreams to the younger generation of Japan.that’s why [Ohtani and Matsuyama’s] Playing gives us the passion and motivation to continue filming in the US and global markets.to break down that wall [between East and West]It would be great if young actors could take inspiration from my work.
