Jet Li
Mark Interview
jetli.com
DATE: 2003/02/24
URL: Jetli.com
mark dacascos - part 3
Jetli.com: You've played a variety of characters in all your television and film projects. Is there any one character that you feel really demonstrates your personal values, beliefs and ideals and has there been a character that you've played that you've found it difficult to associate yourself with?
"He's like an animal, and I mean that as a compliment ..." Mark D.: As far as my ideals, I think my character in Brotherhood of the Wolf - he's the man that I would like to be more like. Mani for me is a wonderful teacher, because he's non-judgmental. He understands that life is not black and white -- it's all gray. He knows that a person is of mind, body and spirit meaning that yes, you can be very spiritual, but you have physical needs as well. One thing I really love about Mani: he listens more than he talks. We have two ears and one mouth, but most of us want to use our one mouth more than our two ears. And I love that about Mani. He's back to basics. He's natural. He's like an animal, and I mean that as a compliment because they're honest. They take what they need. So I love the character of Mani and if I could be more like that I'd be very happy.
Lo Mai was very difficult. I played a half-leopard, half-man in The Island of Dr. Moreau. I mean, how do you research playing a half-leopard, half-man? How do you research that? So that was just talking to John Frankenheimer [ed: Director of the film] and trying to figure things out.
A character that I thought I could really relate to was Eric Draven on The Crow, because he had so much passion and so much love that his physical death couldn't stop him from coming back, and I love things like that. I love when things are so strong that it's able to cross the line.
Jetli.com: Have you ever been interested in stepping behind the camera and directing or producing a project?
Mark D.: I've thought about it. I've thought about directing or producing. But I feel like I still have so much to learn. But, yes, it does sound interesting to me.
Jetli.com: If you had a free day and didn't have any plans what would you do? Your wife is busy, your child is not at home ... you have a free day just for yourself.
"I'm just so in awe of the ocean and feel such peace there." Mark D.: SURF! C'mon!
Jetli.com: Actually one person on our site wanted to ask if you wanted to integrate surfing into any of your movies.
Mark D.: I've love to!
Jetli.com: Are you going to go see Blue Crush?
Mark D.: Abolutely!
You know, I'm just so in awe of the ocean and feel such peace there. It's one of the few places where you're not bothered by a cell phone or a beeper, and the wonderful thing about surfing is you get what you deserve. Meaning that, if you're not strong enough to get through the break, then you shouldn't be out there; if you want to surf a certain wave then you have to be strong enough to paddle it; if you want to stay on it you better be good enough. It's philosophical.
Jetli.com: What projects do you have coming up after Cradle 2 the Grave? There's a rumor that you have a project coming up that reunites you with the team from Drive. Is that true?
Mark D. in Drive Mark D.: You know I would love to work with Steve Wang and Koichi Sakaomoto again. We wanted to do a sequel to Drive but it never happened. I haven't heard of anything but I would be very excited to work with them again.
As for future projects, I have a film coming up with Christophe Gans, the director of Brotherhood of the Wolf and Crying Freeman, and Canal Plus, the company that made it. I'm working with them some time next summer. And right now I'm just meeting with a lot of producers and directors for a lot of projects, possibly before that.
Read Part 4 ...
Mark Interview
jetli.com
DATE: 2003/02/24
URL: Jetli.com
mark dacascos - part 3
Jetli.com: You've played a variety of characters in all your television and film projects. Is there any one character that you feel really demonstrates your personal values, beliefs and ideals and has there been a character that you've played that you've found it difficult to associate yourself with?
"He's like an animal, and I mean that as a compliment ..." Mark D.: As far as my ideals, I think my character in Brotherhood of the Wolf - he's the man that I would like to be more like. Mani for me is a wonderful teacher, because he's non-judgmental. He understands that life is not black and white -- it's all gray. He knows that a person is of mind, body and spirit meaning that yes, you can be very spiritual, but you have physical needs as well. One thing I really love about Mani: he listens more than he talks. We have two ears and one mouth, but most of us want to use our one mouth more than our two ears. And I love that about Mani. He's back to basics. He's natural. He's like an animal, and I mean that as a compliment because they're honest. They take what they need. So I love the character of Mani and if I could be more like that I'd be very happy.
Lo Mai was very difficult. I played a half-leopard, half-man in The Island of Dr. Moreau. I mean, how do you research playing a half-leopard, half-man? How do you research that? So that was just talking to John Frankenheimer [ed: Director of the film] and trying to figure things out.
A character that I thought I could really relate to was Eric Draven on The Crow, because he had so much passion and so much love that his physical death couldn't stop him from coming back, and I love things like that. I love when things are so strong that it's able to cross the line.
Jetli.com: Have you ever been interested in stepping behind the camera and directing or producing a project?
Mark D.: I've thought about it. I've thought about directing or producing. But I feel like I still have so much to learn. But, yes, it does sound interesting to me.
Jetli.com: If you had a free day and didn't have any plans what would you do? Your wife is busy, your child is not at home ... you have a free day just for yourself.
"I'm just so in awe of the ocean and feel such peace there." Mark D.: SURF! C'mon!
Jetli.com: Actually one person on our site wanted to ask if you wanted to integrate surfing into any of your movies.
Mark D.: I've love to!
Jetli.com: Are you going to go see Blue Crush?
Mark D.: Abolutely!
You know, I'm just so in awe of the ocean and feel such peace there. It's one of the few places where you're not bothered by a cell phone or a beeper, and the wonderful thing about surfing is you get what you deserve. Meaning that, if you're not strong enough to get through the break, then you shouldn't be out there; if you want to surf a certain wave then you have to be strong enough to paddle it; if you want to stay on it you better be good enough. It's philosophical.
Jetli.com: What projects do you have coming up after Cradle 2 the Grave? There's a rumor that you have a project coming up that reunites you with the team from Drive. Is that true?
Mark D. in Drive Mark D.: You know I would love to work with Steve Wang and Koichi Sakaomoto again. We wanted to do a sequel to Drive but it never happened. I haven't heard of anything but I would be very excited to work with them again.
As for future projects, I have a film coming up with Christophe Gans, the director of Brotherhood of the Wolf and Crying Freeman, and Canal Plus, the company that made it. I'm working with them some time next summer. And right now I'm just meeting with a lot of producers and directors for a lot of projects, possibly before that.
Read Part 4 ...
