As a huge action movie fan, I’m always excited to see what Lewis Tan is up to! The guy is a total beast when it comes to fight scenes – seriously, check out his work in shows like Mortal Kombat, Wu Assassins, Cobra Kai, and Shadow and Bone. He’s constantly training and perfecting his martial arts, which really shows on screen. While we’ll have to wait a bit longer for Mortal Kombat 2 (it’s been pushed to 2026!), he just starred in a cool new heist movie called Wildcat with Kate Beckinsale, and it’s definitely worth a watch.
In Wildcat, Ada, a highly skilled former soldier and mother, is trying to build a quiet life. But when her brother Edward racks up a debt with dangerous criminals, they take Ada’s eight-year-old daughter, Charlotte, hostage. To save Charlotte and settle Edward’s debt, Ada is forced to carry out a risky diamond robbery. She has to team up with her old crew, including her charming ex-boyfriend Roman, to pull it off – and you can guess things don’t go smoothly.
Wearing a Guns N’ Roses shirt, Tan spoke with ComicBook about increasing the intensity in Wildcat, and shared an interesting thought about how his character, Cole, interacts with the new character, Johnny Cage.
Cole understands the situation completely. Now, the challenge is getting Johnny Cage to understand, as Johnny went through something similar before. Cole is now in a position to explain things to Johnny, empathizing with what he’s about to face. He recognizes Johnny has a difficult journey ahead, having just experienced the same thing himself. The situation is far more serious now, with much higher stakes and increased intensity.
I recently sat down with Tan, and let me tell you, the conversation was all over the place – in the best way! We talked about everything from his training with firearms to the surprisingly intense process of getting Mortal Kombat 2 that R-rating. He even showed off some battle scars – seriously! – and then we got into a fun hypothetical: if he could play any DC superhero, he’d choose Nightwing. The full interview is coming up next, and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
ComicBook: What heist flicks do you love, and why is there such an appetite for them?
I’m a big fan of heist movies – films like Dog Day Afternoon and The Town are among my favorites, and The Italian Job is classic. Heat is another great one. What I find particularly interesting about this new movie is the motivation behind the robbery. Like Dog Day Afternoon, it’s not just about the money; it’s about something deeper – how far someone would go to save the people they love. It’s a thrilling heist with memorable characters and a unique energy, but ultimately it’s a story about love and sacrifice.
There is more depth to the characters than just getting rich.
For my character, that simply wasn’t a consideration. It never occurred to him. Roman was motivated by a pure desire to help – rescuing a child and someone he cares for deeply, even though a romantic relationship is impossible. Perhaps this is how he’s trying to cope with past hurt and show his gratitude.
I’ve played a lot of action heroes, so people often ask what sets Roman apart. Honestly, it’s about the internal struggle. While my other characters often appeared fearless, Roman is genuinely wrestling with doubt and vulnerability beneath the bravado. It’s a much more nuanced performance, digging into the ‘why’ behind the action, not just the ‘how’. He’s flawed, and that’s what makes him so compelling, at least to me.
I often play tough, ruthless characters, but this one is different. While I’ve portrayed characters with a softer side before, this character strikes a perfect balance. He’s incredibly capable, both physically and mentally, but also deeply sensitive. What really drew me in was his desire for a normal life – a family, a relationship – and the unfortunate timing that always seems to prevent him from achieving it.
Do you view him as the glue that holds this motley crew together?
I really enjoyed working with the cast and how our characters interacted. We all had such different personalities, which could have been tricky, but it actually created a great dynamic. This movie is a unique blend of genres – it’s about a kidnapping, which is serious, but it’s also funny and surprisingly heartwarming, with plenty of action. I love movies that mix things up like that, though it’s challenging to get the tone just right. Ultimately, it comes down to the chemistry between the actors, and we all connected really well.
When you get a script like Wildcat, do you immediately flip to the action sequences?
I always start by finding music that matches the story’s mood and genre. I listen to it while reading the script from beginning to end – that first read-through is crucial. Then, I reread it, specifically looking for the most difficult parts or opportunities to add something unique. I analyze those sections closely. Luckily, director James Nunn has a strong background in action films, including some great ones like ‘One Shot,’ and he was very open to collaboration when we first met. So, I approached the script with a fresh perspective, and then worked with James to develop the action sequences together.
Could you describe Roman’s fighting style? It seemed like his earlier fights were rough and tough, but the final one really showcased his skills in martial arts.
Roman is a clever and adaptable fighter. A recently shared deleted scene shows him caught in a struggle while trying to help a woman. While the scene is now brief in the film, it was originally much longer. It really highlights that Roman isn’t focused on killing his opponents; he’s simply trying to escape danger and survive. Initially, with so many guns around, he was focused on finding a way through the chaos.
He really made the most of everything around him – any materials he could find. I remember using a nail gun, a pipe, a hammer, and a large wrench, along with branches and even a car for cover. We scouted the location in Bulgaria and improvised as we went, constantly building and improving the scene to make it more exciting. It was fantastic to work with the team on that action sequence, and I’d love to contribute to similar projects in a behind-the-scenes role again.
You’re right, the movie features a lot of shooting. Even though you have experience with guns, the weapons used were quite large. Were you familiar with those types of firearms, or did you need any specific training to handle them?
We had experts from the British Special Forces on set to help us with the correct movements and make everything feel authentic. I’ve never worked with that level of realism on a film before. The equipment they use is really bulky and difficult to move around in – it makes running and jumping much harder. It gave me a lot of respect for the people who do this job in real life.
There’s a scene in the car where we arrive at a gathering of gangsters who immediately surround us. The idea was to surprise them by revealing hidden guns. James suggested just pulling them from under the seats, which seemed obvious given the size of the guns! I was trying to conceal mine and draw it smoothly, but while it looked decent in the edited footage, it felt awkward and clumsy when we were actually filming.
Your colleague Kate Beckinsale famously led the Underworld film series. Are you interested in acting in a similar vampire or werewolf-themed project?
Vampires have always completely captivated me. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a personal favorite, and I was recently blown away by Luc Besson’s take on the story. I’d love to create my own vampire film someday – it’s seriously a top three dream project for me. There’s just something so classic and powerful about the mythology, it feels almost as enduring as Shakespeare. I’m really eager to dive in! Plus, we haven’t really explored Asian vampire stories outside of films made in Asia, and I think that’s a really exciting space to explore. I’m just waiting for the right opportunity to come along.
Now that we’re moving onto Mortal Kombat II, the first movie introduced your character, Cole, to this world of fighting competitions. How has Cole evolved since we last saw him on screen?
It’s good he finally understands the tournament – the first movie spent a lot of time explaining it! Now he knows what’s coming. The problem now is convincing Johnny Cage, who was once in Cole’s shoes. We need to get him up to speed. Cole is now in a position to explain things to someone else, and he seems to be relating to Johnny Cage, basically saying, “I’ve been there, and you’re about to go through the same thing.”
Would you classify them as kindred spirits? Given those shared circumstances, do they click?
Cole understands what Johnny is going through because he’s suddenly caught up in a much more dangerous situation. The consequences are far greater now, and everything is happening so quickly. The filmmakers definitely delivered on their goal of increasing the action and intensity, and I think they succeeded.
In the last chapter, Cole fought Sub-Zero, Kano, and Shang Tsung. Before you even saw the story, were there any characters you really wanted to see him fight again? Or were you hoping he’d face some new enemies from the game?
That’s a really good question! As a fan of the movies, I always wanted to have more fight scenes with certain characters. Specifically, I really wanted another chance to fight Sub-Zero because Johannes Taslim, who plays him, is a fantastic martial artist and a close friend of mine. Our first fight in the first movie was cut short, and I felt like we could have shown more. While the second movie allowed for more action, unfortunately, it wasn’t with me and Sub-Zero.
I definitely have a really memorable fight scene in the second movie. The setting and my opponent were particularly great, and I think fans will really love it.
In what ways have they elevated the action?
The first movie had a lot of background information to cover, making it challenging to get into the story. It was hard to condense everything into a two-hour film while still telling it well – it felt more like setting the stage. The second movie then focuses on the main event: the tournament.
The second film really prioritized action. The first one attempted to balance story and fight sequences, but the second one is built around a tournament, which gave the action team a lot of creative freedom. They were able to design and film all the fights fans wanted to see. When you trust a talented team and let them run with their vision, the results are fantastic. While the first movie also featured good action, it felt like we were trying to juggle too many elements. We learned from that experience and fully embraced the action in the second one.
Mortal Kombat received an R-rating. How bloody, gory, and violent is the sequel?
I actually think this one is more intense. There’s more brutal violence and the fight scenes are more challenging, which is exactly what I was aiming for. I wanted to make the fights more complex and detailed. After all, it’s Mortal Kombat – we should be delivering the best fight movie of the year, and I believe we’ve done just that.
Did you earn any battle scars, lumps, or broken bones from this endeavor?
I’m hesitant to share details about a recent injury because people might guess who I fought. I did end up with a lot of bruises and was pretty beat up – the reason for that will be revealed soon. I really enjoy doing my own stunts and fight scenes as much as possible. In the second movie, there was just one major stunt I didn’t perform – a double backflip landing – because it was too risky. You’re going to get some bumps and bruises doing fight choreography, but for me, it’s all worth it.
We talked before about who could play Nightwing. What do you think is the most important part of his character?
He actually has a potentially compelling and complex backstory. If the project leaned into a more serious or dramatic feel, it could be fantastic. I also really admire how the character approaches conflict, and I believe I could offer a lot to the role. I’ve developed some unique ideas that I think could make the character truly stand out, but I’ll share those if the opportunity arises.
Is it true you had a meeting with DC Entertainment about Nightwing?
I’ve met with representatives from DC about several projects. We’ve talked about a few things, but I can’t share any details at this time.
Did you ever have conversations with Chris McKay, who was originally attached to direct?
Yeah, I did talk to Chris. We did have a few conversations about Nightwing.
Who out of Nightwing’s rogues gallery would give you a run for your money?
I’m not sure. Who would you say?
There’s Shrike. Or for brute strength, Blockbuster. Lady Vic could match him in combat.
Yeah, get a badass female in there. I could see that.
Many fans fondly remember Nightwing’s costume from the 1980s. Which of his colorful outfits would you choose to wear?
Is this the one you mean? [shows a picture on his phone of Nightwing’s first costume from Tales of the Teen Titans] Yeah, I could totally pull that off. I could do it for hours. Honestly, with a few small updates, it could look really current. But I could definitely rock a collar like that, no problem.
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2025-12-04 17:44