You would think that after doing roughly 168 films involving big explosions, Transporter 2 and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button actor Jason Flemyng would have had enough of those life-threatening situations. However, his love for action features and Jason Statham have convinced him to do one more action-packed film as he now takes on the role of dangerous gangster Wolo Kolisnyk in David Ayer’s A Working Man. Geek Vibes Nation caught up with Flemyng to discuss this thrilling feature, working in London and his close friendship with Statham.
Geek Vibes Nation: Hi Jason, how are you?
Jason Flemyng: Good, thank you. I’ve just finished a tennis game, so please excuse my slightly sweaty appearance. I’m a new tennis player. I haven’t been playing long. We did a job with Renny Harlin in Bulgaria, and it was 19 nights. And because I’ve got kids, I’d wake up at 9 o’clock every morning, whatever time I went to bed. I was, what am I going to do? There was the tennis club and I went, “That’s what I’m going to do”. So, I did 19 lessons in 20 days. And now I’m obsessed.
GVN: Well, congratulations on the film as well. What was it about the script that made you want to do this?
JF: As you know, Statham and I have been mates for nearly three decades. So it wasn’t the script, although I liked the script. It was Statham and David Ayer, who is a fantastic director. I love his films. You know, he crafts and moulds you and is a proper director. So that was a great experience. Spending four or five weeks with my good mate Jason mucking about and laughing on set was brilliant, too.
GVN: How is it to work with a director who is so collaborative and open to suggestions?
JF: He was one of the best directors I’ve ever worked for. I loved him. I’d drop anything to work with him again. He’s a strange cat, but he is so emotionally involved. He gets it; he cares about the performance. He’s doing a film [Heart of the Beast] with Brad right now in New Zealand. Brad Pitt can work with any director he wants, and he’s chosen to work with David. So that’s a massive testament to David. And even though I’m much further down the league table, I would do the same. I’d work with him over anyone at the moment. I really would.
GVN: How was it to film in your hometown, London?
JF: I’ve got twin boys who are 13. So if my call time means I can, you know, wake them up and put them to bed, I’m happy. You see, I’d do that instead of anything. I’m usually sent away, and I’m getting to the point where I’m much happier at home. So, working with Jason and working in London can’t get better.
GVN: It seems that family is very important to you. So how was it then to play in a film about family, despite all the muscle, masculinity and action being present? Your character might not be the most family-oriented person in the movie, but a lot of heart and emotions are still running through this feature.
JS: My family’s everything. And in fact, we’ve just spent six months in Malaysia because my boys, Cassius and Noah Flemyng, have been cast in Lord of the Flies for BBC. So, me, the wife and the two boys flew off to Malaysia for six months. We were their chaperones, and the boys were the stars. So that was fun.
GVN: Could you tell me a bit more about the preparation for this role and how the torture scene in the swimming pool was filmed?
JF: Jason is a British Commonwealth diver, but I wasn’t sure about the strap in the chair. And he was like, “Don’t worry, Flemyng, you’ll be fine”. So he decided for me. So I just did as I was told, but it was really good fun.
GVN: The film also sheds light on the important topic of human trafficking. How important was it for you to be part of a film that highlights this?
JF: I don’t think the film answers any questions about people trafficking or the terrible situation we have in Europe with refugees stuck in appalling conditions with nowhere to go. You know, you don’t put your child on a boat and risk their life unless you genuinely believe that you’re trying to escape something more dangerous than the journey. So I’ve got a lot of empathy and sympathy for anyone who is struggling or has to put their family at risk to try and keep them safe.
You know, we live in London, and we have such a beautiful, wonderful, safe life. But it is purely geographic. You know, the people in Gaza, the people in Ukraine, the people in Calais trying desperately to get across the water, they’re there purely because of their geographic situation, nothing to do with anything they’ve done or any fault of their own.
GVN: Why must people watch A Working Man at the cinema as they might think that there are already many similar movies out there?
JF: Jason Statham is the last great alpha male. Every girl fancies him. Every boy wants to be him. He is the last bastion of that alpha male film hero. I love him for that. And he’s also the most gentle, sweet man. Everyone wants to watch a Statham film. And they haven’t seen Statham and Flemyng together since Transporter 2. So that’s why you have to watch it.
GVN: If you could direct Statham in a film, what kind of role would you give him? Similar to the one we see in A Working Man or a role that’s more unexpected?
JF: My favourite Jason Statham film is Spy. And if I had the choice, and I try, I promise you I’m trying; I would be to push him into comedy because he’s got the best sense of humour. He’s got great comic timing. And the world’s ready for Jason Statham to do great comedy movies.
GVN: Can you tell us about any other projects you’re currently working on?
JF: I’m doing a thing called Trigger Point, a great TV show for ITV. I got back from Malaysia. I’d been out of work for six months because I was looking after the kids. So I went back to work and luckily landed on the really good Trigger Point, which I’m doing until May. It’s about bomb disposal units in London. No spoilers, obviously, but I kill everyone as usual.
GVN: Can I ask when it will be released? Because I love the series.
JF: Oh, that’s great. I’m really glad to hear that. It should be before Christmas sometime. Are you based in London?
GVN: Yes, I am.
JF: Yeah. Brilliant. Where are you from originally?
GVN: Brussels.
JF: Oh, I spent a lot of time there. I did a thing called The Body. I used to get that Eurostar backwards and forwards to Brussels every week. You must ensure you don’t drink Leffe because you think I have a couple of pints of Leffe. My God, it’s so strong. I learned that quite quickly. I had a great time in Brussels and enjoyed it there.
A Working Man is out in cinemas on the 28th of March courtesy of Amazon MGM
Subtitle translator by day. Film journalist by night.
