Master James Lew began his lifelong journey in the martial arts at a very young age. Not only did the martial arts shape the way he lived, its philosophy helped lead him into a very successful career in Hollywood as an actor, fight choreographer, director, and a stuntman. He’s been a fixture in the business for over four decades, and there are no plans for him to slow down. In fact, things are heating up for Master Lew: he has upcoming work on the hit HBO series WESTWORLD, he’s directing a feature film, and he just received an Emmy® for Outstanding Stunt Coordination on a drama or limited series for his work on MARVEL’S LUKE CAGE. This is a historic first for people of color working within the industry, as he is the first person of Chinese descent to ever win in that particular category. In the midst of all his film work, it has been the martial arts keeping him grounded.
“My success all comes back to me having this martial arts background,” Master Lew says. “Sometimes, I think about where I would be if I didn’t take martial arts. The martial arts community is like my family and my 'go to' place if I feel like I’m not doing well, not feeling confident, or anything that may come up in life. I just draw back on the martial arts and it’s that old familiar friend who is always there. The way the world is now, everyone should be training in the martial arts, especially because of the discipline, it helps to put your life in perspective.”
James Lew has become Hollywood’s “go to” guy for stunt and fight coordination. His many years of experience has led him on a unique journey, one taking him from his home in Los Angeles to spending seven months in New York. While working on a small film in Moscow, he received a call offering him the job on LUKE CAGE. It was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse, but he set one condition. “My wife and I discussed it and I told her I wouldn’t do the show unless she went with me. She really encouraged and supported me in my decision to take it. She actually came on the series to work with me as an assistant, doing paperwork, taking phone calls, and stuff like that. It’s just a monster job running a TV series. I was so fortunate,” Lew remarks.
One of his numerous jobs on the series was to make lead actor Mike Colter look like he could crush some skulls. He had no formal fight training, but Lew was able to help transform him into the superhero he needed to become onscreen. “Mike Colter is a very physical actor with a bit of a boxing background, but that was it. He’s 6 foot 3 inches and 235 pounds; the guy is just solid and a natural athlete,” Lew declares. “The character does have some training so it was very important for him to move and look like he knew what he was doing. When I got there, the first thing we discussed was the concept behind the action because the character is just so powerful. The first rule we laid out was to not have him punch anyone in the face because the head would just explode. We developed our own gentler fighting style for the show and we called it ‘smack-fu.’“ He continues, “We had to put together a rule book and had to create it; I was a part of that. It’s important as a coordinator to keep within the parameters of the character's story and history. Marvel fans are pretty hardcore so if you stray from it, they’ll be on you right away.”
In an action-heavy series such as LUKE CAGE, stunt-work is just as important to telling the story properly as the script is. As the stunt coordinator, James Lew had to spend time mapping out each and every stunt, not only making sure it would go off without a hitch, but most importantly: no one ends up hurt. “One thing I want to emphasize, my absolute number one priority, is that nobody gets hurt. You’ll end up black and blue, you’ll ache, but you should never be injured on a film set. Each and every stunt has to be within the budget. If not, we have to find the money or we will not do the stunt,” he states. With the recent deaths of stuntman John Bernecker and stuntwoman Joi Harris, Lew hopes his Emmy win will work in his favor when working on a film. “Winning that trophy is important because it gives me a bit more power and authority to have the final say if a stunt can safely happen or not. When a production shoots all day and an action scene shoots last, people get rushed because everyone is ready to call it for the day. Now I have that extra bit of authority to push back and tell them no. It has to be done right and safe, period!” Lew declares, continuing, “John Bernecker, from THE WALKING DEAD, was a good friend of mine. I met him when he first started and used him many times. He was such a talented guy and it was pretty heartbreaking when I heard the news.”
For whatever reason, the Academy Awards have yet to add a category for stunt coordinators. Who knows exactly what the reason is but Master Lew feels it could help to save lives. “One day, my hope is to get an Oscar category so it gives coordinators in the industry just a little more power. Right now, we’re not even recognized. Every single department that contributes to making a film is recognized with an Oscar category. There’s always that one guy sitting there who doesn’t and he’s the stunt coordinator,” Lew states. Only time will tell if the Academy decides to give the stunt community their proper due. Though he will be ready to accept the award should one ever come to exist, he won’t be waiting around for it to happen. There’s a whole world out there that needs to be inspired and he plans on starting with the children. “It really means a lot to me getting all this recognition. I can talk to all these kids about the martial arts and tell them to just keep training,” Lew finishes.
Positive messages are something James Lew is very passionate about. We all know just how terrible of a problem bullying has become. It’s taken on various shapes and forms, becoming ever more prevalent. He was involved in a recent film which tackles this issue head on. “Children get this discipline through the martial arts; remember Bruce Lee’s fighting without fighting? So for me, if you really learn the true way of training in the martial arts, you won’t need to go out and beat people up. It balances your life by training that way. Bullying is such a horrible thing right now, it’s not just kids; adults are bullying adults, and this is why a film like THE MARTIAL ARTS KID. is so important. This discipline is really missing in our society and even the world.” After the success of the first film, a sequel was inevitable. All the film's major players are returning to continue where they left off, including James Lew who provided the fight choreography. “I’m very anxious to get to work on the sequel," Lew says excitedly. "James Wilson and I have already been talking about how to make it bigger, better, and more impactful.”
Working on a film like THE MARTIAL ARTS KID also afforded him the opportunity to work with two close friends, Cynthia Rothrock and Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson. He’s appeared onscreen with them many times, but for this particular film he was telling them how to fight. Lew remembers, “For me, what drives any scene I coordinate is the story and the characters within it. I feel that an action scene or a fight scene is just like any dialogue scene. You’re telling a certain story and the actors are all playing a character in the movie. The action and the movements should follow along with what the character would do and not the actor. With Don or Cynthia, you try to find their strong points first and build upon that. You adjust your choreography accordingly to the story and character. Once in a while, though – for fans – you manage to slip in a performer’s signature move like with Cynthia’s scorpion kick. “
L-R: Cynthia Rothrock, James Lew, Don "The Dragon" Wilson.
James Lew is ready to move to the next phase of his career. He plans to continue working behind the scenes on numerous projects, except for one many thought he would. “Timing-wise, I just won’t be able to return for the second season of LUKE CAGE. It was a terrific experience, and I’m thankful it’s helped to get me to the next level with directing.” Lew may be ready to direct a film now, but it won’t be the first time. Well over a decade ago, he took a chance on a passion project of his, the action comedy 18 FINGERS OF DEATH. It was a small independent film which he financed himself along with one other financier. Lew recalls, “We did it but I literally wore a dozen hats and it was one of the most difficult things I had done in my life. I would never trade it though; I learned so much, and had such a good time. I was writer, producer, director, star, and I think I even helped with craft services. It was a terrific learning experience for me and it was like going through film school in one swoop.”
Amidst all the work in Hollywood, Master Lew has never forgotten where he came from. For a true martial artist, training is never complete; you continue to learn each and every day. He states, “I really would like to train some more in Chen Tai Chi. I took a little bit years ago but my schedule became so hectic I didn’t have time to go to classes. It’s been very frustrating for me to not be able to continue my training right now. Somehow I will find the time to really dig deep into it. Chen Tai Chi, for me, is the ultimate way for me to continue training for the rest of my life with.” Due to his intense training and study of martial arts philosophies, Master Lew has learned to appreciate what he’s been given and to give back when he can. He concludes, “I’m still kind of stunned and very grateful for the response I get from people. When I meet people or fans, I can see the excitement in their eyes. I’m still so incredibly thankful for all the support I get and it helps to inspire me to keep pushing forward and do better each day. Hopefully it translates to others that they should just work hard and do what they love. Life is so good!”
