Jason Statham on taking a "different direction" in "Redemption"
Jason Statham is taking a different approach to his latest role in "Redemption."
The English action star is known for playing the "unstoppable hero" type in his films, but his newest character is much more of an emotionally damaged figure than any of his previous roles.
In "Redemption," Statham portrays Joey Jones, an Afghanistan War veteran who takes on a wealthy man's identity and unleashes vengeance on some seedy figures wreaking havoc in London.
Along the way, Jones teams up with a nun (played by Polish actress Agata Buzek) and the two eventually develop a complicated romance.
"Redemption" was written and directed by Steven Knight, the screenwriter behind David Cronenberg's much lauded 2007 hit, "Eastern Promises." Knight received a best original screenplay Oscar nomination for the script to "Dirty Pretty Things."
Statham spoke about the new film in an interview for CBSNews.com. Watch video above to see him talk about his latest project as well as his upcoming roles in "The Expendables 3" and "Fast and Furious 7.,"
CBSNEWS.COM: This character [in "Redemption"] seems more complex than any role you've taken on in the past.
JASON STATHAM: Yeah, I'm used to playing a lot more of the unstoppable hero that doesn't really feel too much emotion. So yeah, this is definitely a step in a different direction.
CBSNEWS.COM: An interesting aspect about him is the fact that he's coming back from Afghanistan and suffering from PTSD. Do you feel that there's still a stigma out there towards the disorder?
STATHAM: We were lucky enough to meet some of the kids that have been stuck out there. And they're trying to integrate themselves into normal city life. And it's not easy. It's real. It's something that ain't going away. They get injured and they get disabled. They're taught to use a gun. They're taught to fire a weapon. And none of those things you can do when you come back home. It's very difficult to understand unless you've been a part of that. It's something that needs attention, yeah.
CBSNEWS.COM: Turning to the action scenes -- you do all your own stunts?
STATHAM: I'm the silly chap that does most of my own stunts. I do stuff that is within the realm of trying to stay alive. I'm not going to run from a burning building. There's certain things that I don't feel necessary to do. I'm trying to put myself into areas where if it requires a certain physical skill then I'm very happy to get stuck into that. There's a huge amount of things that are controlled by pyrotechnics that are sort of an incalculable sort of outcome. And I'm really not at peace with doing that kind of stuff. There's other people that are more suited to that.
CBSNEWS.COM: You're more into the fight scenes?
STATHAM: Well yeah...I do a lot of the physical fights...I've hung out of a helicopter. I've done a lot of silly things. But it's always something that requires my own sort of physical ability and a little bit of self-commitment and self-belief. That's how I negotiate with myself on whether I should or shouldn't do it.
CBSNEWS.COM: Turning to your directer, Steven Knight, this was his directorial debut, how'd he do this first time around?
STATHAM: He was like an old veteran. He had such a peaceful sort of demeanor. He was very at home behind the camera. It looked like he directed a dozen movies, if not more. He really knew what he was doing. I think he'd been on set many many times. He had worked with lots of famous directors. He's a sought-after writer. Steve Knight was someone that I would love to work with again. He's a very confident individual and he runs a good show. He doesn't throw his weight around. Some people have a position of authority when they're a director and they can misuse that position and Steven's quite the opposite. Everyone really respected him. I really admire the way that he conducted himself. Brilliant.
"Redemption" is now playing in theaters.
