One thing I noticed when interviewing Martial Arts action superstar Scott Adkins is how much he exemplifies the qualities of the preeminent Martial Arts Masters who ply their trade far from the glamor of the silver screen. His demeanor has the measured calm exuded by a seasoned fighter who knows every corner of the ring and has utter confidence in his ability to handle whatever you throw at them during a sparring session. In the arena of the interview, Scott courteously waited, allowing me to complete my questions fully, then paused thoughtfully before each response. Unlike many conversationalists who frantically rush in to fill the gap in a discussion, he was comfortable in that moment of uncertain silence. It was mesmerizing, like watching how a highly-evolved fighter knows to wait for that perfect moment when his opponent has nearly fully extended their punch mere inches from their intended victim’s face before they respond with a methodical counter strike.
Yet one thing that became abundantly clear during our talk is that Scott Adkins is a man with a deep passion for his craft. When I mistakenly suggested that some of his success might be attributed to the often clichéd example of hard work coupled with being in the right place at the right time, he was quick to correct me with a vigor that both startled and impressed me in equal measure.
“Right time, right place? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the wrong place at the wrong time! I don’t know about that. It’s about determination. It’s about being ready for whatever arises. You gotta knock down that door. No one is going to give it to you. You have to go out there and you have to take it. That’s what most people don’t realize. They think someone is going to give them these opportunities. No one is going to give you nothing. If anything, they’re going to try to keep you out. You have to take it!”
Scott’s desire to be a Martial Arts Action star began at an early age. This started with his childhood in a suburban town in Birmingham, England and continued into adulthood as his career took him to the world stage working on film productions in locales like Bulgaria, Thailand, and of course, Hollywood. When recollecting his steadfast resolve to achieve this nearly insurmountable goal he stated humbly:
“I’m very fortunate to be able to do what I do. What I am most fortunate for and what I took for granted when I was a kid was knowing what I wanted to do. I figured everybody had this same understanding. But it turns out that most people don’t really know what they want to do with their lives. For me I was blessed that I knew exactly what I wanted to do and it was this. It was to the point of obsession and that is a blessing because it gave me the determination, the ability to just work as hard as I possibly could because I knew how difficult it was going to be. I had no illusions there. Everyone around me told me ‘You’re not going to make it. Try something else. You’re crazy. You’re just some kid from Sutton, Coldfield.’ But I wanted it so much, and it was so clear to me what I wanted to do. It was a blessing that I knew exactly what I wanted from life.”
Scott has a prolific film career and has collaborated on screen alongside the very Martial Arts legends who inspired him in his youth, including the likes of Jean Claude Van Damme, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and most recently, Donnie Yen in the box office shattering IP MAN 4: THE FINALE.
In the film, Scott portrays the ruthless villain, Gunnery Sergeant Barton Geddes who proves more than a match for Donnie’s heroic Ip Man. On screen the conflict between the two characters rises to a fever pitch with a climactic fight rivaling the most visceral action sequences of any Martial Arts films to date. However, behind the scenes, it was nothing but the utmost respect which both men had for each other.
“He’s one of the last guys I wanted to work with. I’ve worked with everyone else. He’s the last of the bucket list. He requested me for the movie which I was really happy about. I sat next to him at the Hong Kong premiere. I watched the film with him. I’m looking at the screen seeing Ip Man doing his thing and then I look to my left and I see him. I’m thinking wow, he’s right there! It’s Donnie Yen! It’s so cool because I’ve been watching him since I was a teenager. He congratulated me on my performance, which I really appreciated.”
He also noted how the skill set required to make a fight scene on a film is far different than just being a good fighter.
“It’s not an easy thing to do. A lot of real fighters struggle with screen fighting. Most of them to be honest. I think that’s why Donnie Yen asked for me because when you’ve done as many action films as he has (and it’s the same for me), it’s horrible when you work with someone who just can’t get it together. Instead of doing 2 or 3 takes you end up doing 10, 15, or 20 takes. It’s very frustrating especially when you’re carrying injuries. That’s why he wanted somebody like me who could get it done quick and not make it difficult.”
When asked to reflect on how his Martial Arts experience has evolved over the decades, Scott explained:
“It feels different now. When I was a kid it was the discovery of wanting to be the best martial artist you can be. Wanting to win your instructor’s favor. Wanting to get approval, wanting to get a black belt. I don’t spend as much time in big classes as I used to. I tend to train more one on one now. As someone in my position, it’s difficult to do it any other way. It almost feels like maintenance sometimes. But it’s beautiful when you get to train with other martial artists from different styles with different skill sets, to exchange ideas and learn something new.”
The ever present debate in Martial Arts has always revolved around what style is the best. When asked to weigh in on the ubiquitous question Scott responded with great wisdom: “A lot of the time, it comes down to the individual and not the style of Martial Art. I know sometimes people say ‘Wing Chun doesn’t work.’ But look, that was Bruce Lee’s main style. Sure, he adapted it to include western boxing and others styles to become Jeet Kune Do, but its basis is Wing Chun. There’s many things to be found from many Martial Arts .”
The time spent talking with Scott Adkins was enjoyable, inspiring, and enlightening. Like many of the great masters I’ve had the honor to meet in my day, it felt like what I witnessed was but a mere glimpse into the depth of his experience and the wealth of knowledge he has to offer. While Scott Adkins is already a legend in Martial Arts film, his journey is far from over, and we, the captivated audience are ready for more.
IP MAN 4: THE FINALE opened nationwide in limited release on Wednesday December 25, 2019. Consult your local listings to see if it is playing in a theater near you.
