Ladies and gentlemen, I have a VERY special post for you today. Now, as you may or may not know, I’m a huge fan of the martial arts and martial arts movies. These are some of the most unique action movies ever created. Everybody knows who Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, and Jean-Claude Van Damme are, but there are many actors and actresses who have starred in some of the most fantastic martial arts films. But for me, there is one who stands out the most and is a real trail-blazer for women in the martial arts and martial arts movies. Today, I present to you my interview with The Queen of Martial Arts, Cynthia Rothrock!
First of all, I would like to say how much of a fan I am of yours. I’ve seen a lot of your movies and they have been amazing to watch.
1. Did you ever have an idea of where your career path was going to take you and are you satisfied with where it took you?
I did not have any idea. When I did my first film Yes Madam, I thought it was going to be a one time thing. After the second movie Shanghai Express, which I got immediately right after, I knew that was what I was going to be doing for a career.
2. How many different styles of martial arts have you studied and is there one that you felt suited you best?
I started with Tang Soo Do, then Pai Lum Kung Fu, Ying Jow Pai, Wu Shu, Kenpo, Tae Kwon Do and a bit of Tai chi. I loved the Tang Do for giving me the best kicking base suited for me, and the Wu Shu for weapons, and the Ying Jow Pai for self defense.
3. Getting to The Martial Arts Kid: What drew you to this particular project?
The producer James Wilson told me he wanted to do a family film with a good message for kids. I was on board as soon as he asked.
4. I found The Martial Arts Kid to be a charming little family film. Have you ever wanted to do a family film before?
Yes when my daughter was little, I wanted to do a cartoon show like Bear in the Big Blue House or the Wiggles using martial arts.
5. What was it like working with Don “The Dragon” Wilson on the project?
Don and I are best friends, so it is always fun working with him. Also he is a perfectionist so he will want everything to go the best it can for the film, and I love that about him.
6. I found Jansen Pannettiere to be very impressive. What was your initial impression with him?
I thought Jansen was adorable. Then working with him he is such a natural actor. He worked hard was very physical in real life so he did the action extremely well and believable, without stunt doubles.
7. I don’t want to spoil the ending to The Martial Arts Kid in case some people in my audience haven’t seen it yet, but the film is getting a sequel. Can you tell us a little bit about how it follows up to the first and how it expands on what we’ve already seen?
Martial Art Kid 2, Payback will hopefully be shot in March 2018. It will be a bit darker, more fights because we are now dealing with the dad, Chuck Zito and he is after revenge. I get to fight Marcus Taylor so I am really excited about that. You will see some actors back and some new ones coming in. It will still have a great message for people keeping up with the effect of the Martial Art Kid.
8. As a martial artist myself and a student of Wing Chun kung fu, I really appreciated the message and the lessons that The Martial Arts Kid was trying to convey to the audience. Will the second film expand on those ideas and will it introduce new ones as well?
Yes, it will still have real martial artists, real teachers, real techniques.
9. It may be a little too early for you to say, but can you give us a general time-line on when we can expect the next chapter for The Martial Arts Kid?
March 2018 for shooting again in LA and Florida.
10. Last question and it’s a big one: What’s your favorite martial arts movie and why?
Oh that is a tough one, one of my favorites is the Kingsmen , now I don’t know if you consider it a martial arts movie but I loved it both 1 and 2, loved the story, the actors and the action. To get to the classics I always liked Enter the Dragon
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for me and my audience. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the next Martial Arts Kid film and whatever else you have planned.
Cynthia Rothrock can be seen in the recently released Death Fighter, as well as The Martial Arts Kid, Showdown in Manila, Righting Wrongs, Shanghai Express, and the Rage and Honor films. It has been an extraordinary honor having Miss Rothrock take some time out of her busy life to answer some questions for us. I have been, and always will be a huge fan of hers. I would urge anybody who hasn’t seen it yet, to check out The Martial Arts Kid, currently available streaming on Amazon or available on DVD and Blu-Ray. It is a wonderful little film that is perfect for families and has a message that is for people of all ages.
