1997

Why did you choose Replacement Killers as your first Hollywood film?

I didn't make [the decision]. My studio made it. My agent, my manager and my wife did it. I had no idea.

Isn't that a lot of trust to put into other people? You must have had some input.

As the new kid in town, I don't think Yun-Fat has the privilege to say yes or no. Most important, I was looking for an opportunity and to provide a service.

Was it scary to be the new kid in town? You're one of the biggest stars back home.

You said that, I didn't say that. [Laughs.] Always a new adventure is my concept. Some people like to climb Mt. Everest. Some people do something scary. I know in this world, nothing's easy. Coming to Hollywood was one of my goals.

What did you find surprising about Hollywood?

The big trailer. And every morning everyone calls you sir, sir, sir.

This doesn't happen at home?

No. S-I-R is not very good in Chinese. Sir [means] falling down. I don't want people to say, "You are falling down." Stop it! Don't call me sir. Call me Yun-Fat or Fat.

When did you start acting?

Actually, I started my career in 1973. I went to one of the bigger schools for one year of actor's training. After graduating, I signed a contract with a TV station for 14 years.

Fourteen years! Didn't that tie you down?

It was normal for Hong Kong. During the 14 years, I did more than a thousand episodes. Mostly, I'm the melodrama actor or comedy actor more than action. Because I did some very successful TV series, some of the film companies offered me a contract.

John Woo says that when he met you, you were considered box-office poison.

People get used to you every night on TV. They don't want to buy a ticket. They didn't want to see Yun-Fat on the big screen. That's why I was one of the most poisonous actors in the world. [Laughs.] Until 1986, when I met with John Woo and made A Better Tomorrow. That became a huge success.

How difficult was it for you to work only in English?

My mother language doesn't have certain sounds. The first two weeks, I nearly passed out.

Did you learn English especially for this film?

Yeah. Word by word. It was really hard.

Did it distract you from your job as an actor?

Yeah, because even though I have 22 years' experience, performing in front of a camera in a new language...everything was very confusing.

What was it like working with Mira?

Very exciting. For a new kid...facing an Oscar winner, I was a bit nervous. But she is very helpful. She gave me a lot of encouragement. And she studied in Beijing for one and a half years. Mandarin was her major.

Did you speak Mandarin together?

All the time.

Did she bring her Oscar to the set?

No, but she brought her real Oscar--Quentin [Tarantino] quite often.

Are you going to work with Quentin? He has said he'd like to work with you.

We had several meetings and tried to set up a script for John [Woo] and Yun-Fat together.

What was your childhood like? Where did you grow up?

On a small island in Hong Kong called Lamma. I'm just like an ordinary country boy. I had a very optimistic, easy-going life when I was young. Someday, somehow, if I'm not in this business, I really want to go back to being a farmer again.

Do you spend a lot of time in Hollywood?

Just for some occasions. Like to set up for a project, I'll go for a couple of weeks. Like other actors who aren't based in California. They finish their work and go back home. Like Harrison Ford.

Tell me about Corruption, the film you're doing with Mark Wahlberg.

My first time playing a bad guy. A dirty cop in Chinatown, New York. Based on a new story. But don't worry, the bad guy always wears the big heart. He's a tragic hero.

Didn't you wait to come over to do a movie because they offered you a lot of bad-guy gangster things? What's the difference this time?

The script, and the character is three-dimensional. He's very rare. He's got a very good heart. On the other hand, he's taking money under the table. He's trying to make a balance between Chinatown and the white society. There's not much action, mostly drama. I think it's a good exercise for my second Hollywood movie. A lot of practice in the language. Ê

In real life, do you own a gun?

No. Guns are only for killing people. Why own them? They scare me.

But once you're in front of the camera?

This is one of my talents. My service.

What is it like making films in Hong Kong? How do you do the toughest stunts?

Most important for the actors is to keep the camera rolling. We don't like to hear the word cut. We don't want to sit there. Toughest stunts? None. Mostly, the directors won't let the actors do them. Only Jackie Chan. He's a superman. He can do anything.

Do people recognize you in America?

No, not at all. Except when I was in one of the Chinatowns in L.A.

Is there a different respect for fame in Hong Kong?

Let me put it this way: Because of my 14 years on Hong Kong TV, most of the people treat me like an elder brother from next door. I go anywhere, and they greet me, "Hey, how you doing?" It's more like friends than fans.

If this film is a hit, would you move to America and start doing Hollywood films?

Maybe. I'd like to do one movie here and one movie in Hong Kong, rather than just stay here.

At the international level, you're known mainly as an action star. A lot of people don't know that you're a good comic actor and a good dramatic actor, as well. Is that frustrating for you?

I don't think so. Acting can be diverse. You can be holding two girls and two guns doing comedy or drama. You don't have to spread out your talent because the market demand is not controlled by you. It's from the audience, the box office, the studio, you know. From now on, I'll be happy to do action movies. That's my job.

What could Hollywood learn about Hong Kong in terms of moviemaking?

During the '70s and '80s, Hong Kong filmmakers copied American movies a lot. Tons of substance, storyline and character. But, now because of John Woo, it seems the opposite. Like John Woo's "[characters] holding two guns" trademark doesn't belong to him, but to John Wayne, his elder brother, so to speak. But, I think it's a fair trade. Learning from each other is good for both parties. But, I prefer to hold two girls rather than two guns.

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