Ilram Choi has done stunt work for many mega-blockbusters including
Avatar &
Transformers: ROTF. And has most recent stunt work has been for Marvel's much-anticipated
THOR, which is currently in post-production. Choi doubled for Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano, who portrays one of the Warriors Three's charter members, Hogun the Grim.
Charles pluck of
Comicus has landed a descent interview with Ilram Choi, where he shares his thoughts on Kenneth Branagh's directing skills, the thrills of being on the set, stunt work he underwent, and the overall profession from the cast & crew.
What can you tell us your opinion about the director, Kenneth Branagh, about Chris Hemsworth and the entire cast,? Do you have any good or funny story to tell us?
"Kenneth Branagh was great. He was very detailed and precise with the actors. Since he's an actor himself he knew how to get the necessary performances out them with ease. I was quit busy with my part as Tadanobu Asano's stunt double so I didn't get to mingle with the cast as much. Everyone was very professional and focused on there part. If there were any funny moments then I must have missed them. However, Tadanobu was very talented physically so I really didn't have to do much on the shoot day. He was very adamant in doing his own stunts."
How much time did you work on "Thor"?
"I rehearsed for about 3 months then shot for 5 months."
Before the start of the shoots, I guess you had to train. Did you do it for "Thor" too? And if so, what is this training about?
"I never know what or when my next job will be. So I just try to stay in shape when I'm not working or busy doing the stunts safely when I'm working. It's difficult to keep practicing when your not working because there is always risk of injury. For instance, I twisted my ankle at the gym practicing and then got called for Thor a few weeks later. It took 6 months for my ankle to heal all the way. So half way thru the film I had a twisted ankle."
What were your feelings, your emotion, about working in this movie?
"I was excited for sure. When I was called in they never told me what it was for. There's a lot of secrecy on some of these films. So as I was rehearsing I eventually found out a few days later. Sometimes people will be called in for rehearsal to see how they will do so they won't give you any info just incase you don't get picked. This is common if you're working under someone you don't know. In this case it was Andy Armstrong. I've always wanted to work for him so it was a real pleasure. Also when you work on a new show there are always new people. It's great to meet and work with new fellow stuntmen and women."
Which activities include a typical day on the set for a stunt?
"Well, there is no real typical day. All movies are different with different stunts. That's what's so great about it. The only thing that would be similar is being ready at any given moment. The dilemma is always with wardrobe. Depending on what your doing you hope to have the right clothing for the stunt. Usually we will have fittings before hand to discuss the matter, but things always change. For instance, your character might have to wear shorts and and tank top for a car hit. Because of this I feel for the stuntwomen because they are always ask to wear skimpy clothing and high heels for a stunt."
Marvel Studios has
THOR scheduled to hit theaters May 6, next year in 3D!