Ryan Stride interviews actor, body builder and martial artist Matthias Hues Originally from Germany, he has starred in over 70 movies, playing both heroes and villains with a natural ease. When Matthias Hues moved to LA, and joined the famous mecca of bodybuilding, Gold's Gym it is no surprise that his imposing physique, Track and Field background and martial art skills led him to a career in front of the camera. In 1987, Matthias was cast to be Jean Claude Van Damme's replacement in No Retreat No Surrender 2. Since that memorable performance as the main villain, he's played everything from a Klingon general in Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country, to an intergalactic alien criminal, opposite Dolph Lundgren in Dark Angel and a fighter in KickBoxer 2: The Road Back. Using his black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Kickboxing skills, he has performed in action packed fight scenes opposite the likes of martial art stars like Billy Blanks, Bolo Yeung and Don Wilson. In addition, he has written several movie scripts and continues to train and keep strong. RS: Hi Matthias, I have very pleased to be able to do this interview with you for The Peace Dimension. So, how are you? MH: Hello Ryan, I am doing great considering the situation we, the entire world, suddenly find us in. I am eager to move on and hope for the best, as it's a 50/50 if we come out of this the same we went in. RS: Yes, I think this year will see changes in a lot of people. I think there will also be good changes. Where are you living now? MH: I am living in Bali, LA and soon Germany. I decided to keep it broad and be available to work internationally. There is so much more work through Netflix and the worldwide expansion of filmmakers. Europe does some great films now. RS: Yes, I agree. The European style of films and series have a different people and more people are discovering them now. Ok, so this has been, for most of us, a very strange year but what have you learnt from 2020, Matthias? MH: I have learned to dream. Yes, now I dream about how it used to be and how we didn't know how amazing our opportunities were, compared to today. Being an international traveller at all times, I am now forced to stay in one place, which is Bali at the moment. Even if it sounds exotic, no place where you don't work will hold its allure for long. RS: Yes, agreed and I think people like the structure and interaction when they are working. Now when I first got in contact with you, a flood of action films from the 90's came back to me. Back then, we had so many of these martial art films but its seems now, there are not so many- do you think this industry has faded a bit? MH: Yes and no Ryan, I see many more being made, quite a few actually and many from my friends, but the thing is they do not find the audiences so quickly anymore, as they kind of sink in the huge amount of products out there. We all maybe suffer from attention deficit when it comes to streaming services with the thumb being very itchy to keep browsing. Before, we needed to go to a video or DVD rental to celebrate yet another release, and it was special, all of it. RS: Yes, I like how you say that, Matthias! We are now spoilt for choice with all the platforms and shows! Most of your roles are physically very tough- your roles have required you to look physically powerful to an almost comic book level, but to get through these long shoots, you must also, I imagine, need a lot of endurance. How do divide your training between building the physique and the endurance for shoots? MH: Well, for one, it is getting harder year by year as the age creeps up and you kind of see other people emerging with that build that was once your trademark, but I am so committed and actually as we speak I am gearing up to re-capture it even more, get back to as close as I can to stay ahead in this "game - Game of Thrones" type competition we have in our industry. RS: I like how you refer to this as this "game- Game of Thrones"! You know they should have cast you in Game of Thrones! I think they are doing a spin off show and a Lord of the Rings series so any casting agents reading this- we want to see Matthias in this genre. Ok, so you have definitely burned a lot of calories at Gold's Gym in LA. It's a place that draws in lots of action stars for training. Who are some of the interesting actors you have worked out with there? MH: I see, great questions, all of them mind you :) So yes, I worked out with Arnold, Lou Ferringo, Daniel Bernhardt, Oliver Gruner, Ralf Moeller, Alexander Nevsky and so many more, I have seen over the years and been friends with The Hulk, seen The Rock, and many more famous people who walk in and out, music industry people, many wrestlers, John Cena for instance, actually everyone at one point or the other walked through the gates, except Stallone RS: That's cool. All hard training individuals as well! In your debut film No Retreat No Surrender 2 you actually took over that role which was originally planned for Jean Claude Van Damme. Did you ever meet or train with him in LA? MH: Yes, we met many times in Gold's and other places, he once told me after he saw the movie 'I Come in Peace' in a private screening with his deal broker, that I am now part of the action gang and "Welcome to it". He gave me many tips on how to make it in Hollywood once you are chosen to be one of them. I was flattered to say the least and well, that was 20 years ago. RS: Recently, I interviewed Olivier Schneider who did the fight choreography for Taken and many other cool films. I think you know him, right? Well, I asked him about a style that would be fun to portray on screen and he mentioned Shotokan Karate which, I think, Jean Claude trained in- I mentioned that it would be fun to get Jean Claude on here so if you see him Matthias can you pass the invite? That is your mission now and if you pass it you get awarded the title of Peace Dimension Ambassador! MH: Well if someone knows Olivier, he is the most clever and smart action director or coordinator in the business, hands down. Also, he will be an amazing director if, he isn't already. I am honoured to be asked this question as this is been my question to myself all along and I couldn't agree with him more. He hit is right on the dot. Well, he is Olivier, I am also tainted as he is my idol when it comes to fighting styles and I would follow him blind into any movie war and be just so proud if one day I could learn more about Shotokan and utilise it in movies, especially if Olivier is involved. RS: People can definitely see that you know your way around the gym- do you ever get other actors, maybe not necessarily action actors who are working out asking you for tips when you are at Golds Gym? MH: Sure, actually we all ask each other constantly for advice, when we train. With Arnold for instance, he always corrects one of us as we surely believe he knows what he is talking about and so it goes for us, as well, when we get approached :) RS: Yes, Arnold is still The Baron of Bodybuilding! And what are your thoughts on high rep training say 20-30 plus reps. Have you ever used this or know anyone who uses this approach? MH: I use it all the time, I do not lift heavy any longer and only do high reps with almost no break in between, it is the way to stay ripped and big enough to be also flexible as well. It's very important for fighters to keep limber and strong at the same time. But if you want to look like a super hero, at one point, you need to put the time in to lift heavy first for many years or you cannot achieve the bulk, but also, do your high reps in between days. A good example of how to do it right was Flex Wheeler who became a famous bodybuilder, but still could do the splits. RS: Thanks for sharing that. You were a track and field athlete at one point. Do you still like to run or do sprint training? MH: I have had two knee surgeries back to back, on each leg, and am bone on bone in knees and shoulders, so I am screwed in the 'long distance and sprint' department. But listen to this- I am not giving up in that arena. I just started to train track and field again and slowly seem to get my old speed back, but, it is baby steps... I was declared so ill, or beyond help, that the doctor sent me to the psychiatrist and said you better work on that, as you will either have to take pain killers all the time or learn how to live with the pain on a daily basis. I never went to see anybody after this. I said "I have no pain, I need no pills" and I started training like nothing ever was broken. To begin with, I was so disturbed about how little I could do. But with baby steps and patience, a year later, I was suddenly healed, mostly in my mind as I am still bone on bone [with the joint injury], but I have zero pain and my range is almost back to normal. I healed myself with my mind, making it a fact that I am healed. It's like a small seed in your subconscious, which grows by itself, once you planted it there and don't think about it and take it as face value. I also got myself sick in others ways as I harvested on a bad thought and planted that seed in the subconscious and it took root, so be careful it works both ways. Try to start only having positive thoughts until it is a habit. RS: That's a great insight into the power of the mind, the subconscious and our healing strength. This is great stuff for The Peace Dimension and very, very important for people to hear in this time, where our subconscious can be a very powerful health tool. Very cool Matthias. Today some fitness enthusiasts prefer to use sprint training to lean up instead of old school cardio like jogging or cycling. Some studies suggest this more effective and requires less time. What are your thoughts on this Matthias? MH: I say always do both, stay flexible as life is asking us that at any turn. I went to an MMA gym and trained their style, for instance, which is new for me and got my ass kicked a lot. But it made me a better athlete, over time, as it added to the overall movement expansion. So yes, keeping it broad is the way to go... think big ! I had to stop for a while because of my injuries and now a year later I will tackle it again.... RS: You have also trained for years in the martial arts Taekwondo and Kickboxing, right? Are there other arts that you studied? MH: I dabbled around in Kempo, MMA, WT and it was fun, but I am now also learning if you do not stay with it, you will lose it. RS: And what about the Eastern practises such as meditation? Is this something you've incorporated into your regime? MH: Just the art of staying somewhat flexible, breathing and meditation while breathing. I am doing the Wim Hof Method. RS: One of the actors you have starred with, and fought, on screen is Bolo Yeung. Now, Bolo's career goes back to the Bruce Lee era, where he acted with Bruce. Bolo seems to have that mixture of body building and Tai Chi. He moves quickly especially for someone of that physique. What was it like to do a fight scene with him? MH: He is hard to read, I mean in all aspects of life and fighting. In the fight scenes, it's like fighting a real enemy and you want to stay clear as much as possible. But he is for real, and a cool man. Someone you respect for obvious reasons, someone who was there before you, so you do not want to act like a punk. He knows how to hit so it's better you let him guide you, respect him on all levels and he will take you there. Then he'll make it look fantastic for the both of you... makes sense!!! RS: Which of the action actors you have worked with- I mean the martial artists did you feel while working with them had the practical fighting skills. MH: Great questions, Billy Blanks, Don Wilson, Benny the Jet, Dolph and point fighting wise, Loren Avedon. RS: Didn't you at some point do some bodyguard work for celebrities and what was that like? MH: Yes, for Bob Marley's son, Ziggy, and his entire family, which became my family back then, one for all, all for one! We were really good together and I was so sad to leave them, now over 30 years ago, as they pushed me to follow my career, instead, of me moving with them to Jamaica. RS: That is very cool. Bob was an interesting artist so it must have been interesting to get an understanding about his culture and family. One of your films that is still talked about is Dark Angel or as it is sometimes called, I Come in Peace, where you starred opposite Dolph Lundgren. You are both Europeans, with similar interests and devotion to the physical path so did you get on well? MH: While filming, hmmm maybe not best of friends but respect or curiosity, maybe, who could do what better. You see, back then it was like all about being the Alpha, I assume and I was huge and so was he. We were the same height and had the same aspirations and maybe, I simply could have been a little annoying to him. Or maybe, he didn't even overthink it, and,being new, hungry and eager to break in the biz, only I did. Maybe he never even gave me a thought... I am not sure. He was the star, I was kind of a nobody. So later, we were always very normal or friendly towards each other, but also never seen each other much again. Also over the years, talking to others about each other, in high notes as seriously I love and admire him and think he is the baddest guy out there and he was so friggin amazing in Rocky IV and he was like an idol to me and I appreciate what he has done for all of us over the years to inspire me and others to be the best we can be. RS: You had a good part and a major fight scene with Billy Blanks in Talons of the Eagle a film which showcased the Eagle Claw system. Did you get to spend any time with the famous Chinese master who appeared in that film- Grandmaster Pan Quing Fu MH: Yes, I did and it was an honour, something I didn't cherish enough in hindsight. I feel today as we were so busy filming and getting it right and I was still so in awe of it all and missed out on some of these amazing opportunities, as one was like a race horse in a start position and so eager to run... RS: Yes, sometimes only with hindsight can we see these things. Would you say that your strengths and your success are born from discipline or other factors? MH: Sheer will. Everyday, I will get up and fight. I mean never ever not skipping EVEN one day, unless you are down and out or flying. I used to be so crazy that I thought, ok, he ( whichever action star was in my sight) is flying way more than me to film sets, being maybe still jealous of other actors working more than me, you know bigger names and I was still at home in LA trying to break in and I said, it's their loss while they are trapped in a plane for 12 or more hours, I can train and get even more strength. You kind of have to be nuts or obsessed to be in this business... ask Mike Tyson if he ever relaxed when he was still on his way to the top... no one does... :) I am sure my other warrior friends, like Dolph or JCVD or Stallone or Arnold never rest. They don't; they are up at five am and out the door. Yeahhhh this is the way to live.... be a warrior everyday.... take Sundays off. Cheers friends I love you all and we are all for one and one for all and like this we will be stronger... but the battle is all yours to be fought, so stay strong and be above the rest. RS: Awesome! You know the title to this interview was going to be something else but now quoting you, I'm going to call it Be a Warrior Everyday! A nice saying that people will relate to in their own way. Like the positive vibe, Matthias. I know this is a year of uncertainty, especially for the film world, but can you share with us what projects you have coming up? MH: There are a few films in the pipeline, depending on the corona crisis and the locations in Europe. So, we are not sure if when, we the American cast, will be allowed to enter Europe again. So far, I am the only one, since I have a German passport as well. But as for the projects, one is like a "From Dusk till Dawn" type of a film in Spain, the other, a thriller in Germany and last not least, a horror action film set in...well, the producers are scouting for locations, as we speak, to make sure the cast can travel there. So as you see, the filming has started up again, but there are still hurdles. Wish us luck :) and same to you all, of course ! RS: Sounds like you have some interesting projects ahead. For many people, this is a testing time, and the economic effects will also be causing stress and challenges for people. You have, I am sure, experienced tough times, perhaps, especially when you were just starting out in your acting career. Do you see any clear changes or even solutions that you feel need to happen this year? MH: I am not holding my breath. Each time I turn on the news, there is another strange headline, revelation or scare related to the virus, and I feel this is not the end yet. Especially when you start out now, it can be very unsettling, to say the least, as it is hard enough to make it in even the best of times...! But if there is a way there is a way, and who wants to find it will... more your chances are if you keep going, I mean on all levels. RS: Yes, "no retreat no surrender"! Sorry Matthias, I was waiting for the moment to get that into the interview!! In the interviews, even though you often play bad guys on screen with an ability to break bones or worse, you come across as a very calm person. What are your ways of dealing with stress? MH: I am not as calm inside at times. I am too hungry like a lion to stay calm for too long. I am already prowling in my cage, the one we are all pushed into right now. I think the only thing is the training and goal-type thinking patterns of wanting to make it. Even when I was young, for instance in the army. I felt trapped and hindered, the days were long and boring and there was no end in sight. I cut out a picture of Tarzan and hung it over my bunkbed. I simply didn't give up my vision of one day being this stealth animal, like a guy doing something other than just being a soldier. I had no idea what I would be, but I knew I had to be different. When the other guys were drinking at night, I went to the bunker where we had two little weights, rust riddled and forgotten and worked out as much I could with it. All came together one day when Miles O'Keefe, the one whose photo I had hung over my bed, the one who starred as Tarzan with Bo Derek, came up to me and said he loves my movies and my build. I was like, " see you just have to follow your visions and all is possible." RS: That's funny that you got to meet your hero! The universe was smiling with you. So, what are some of your favourite films in your collection? MH: As for films I like, there are too many to list. I mean, we all love the usual suspects, like Rocky, Rambo, Terminator, Bloodsport, Above the Law and so on but from there, the scale is so vast, so amazing, we see so many things that are brilliant. The list be ,for sure, very, very long. Lately, I loved The Raid series a lot by the way. As for films I was in: For sure Dark Angel ( aka: I Come in Peace). I wrote a sequel and submitted it to MGM, but it was right at the beginning of the virus and that for now was the end of it. RS: You know when we have a Peace Dimension get together for all our guests when things settle you will have to come and join us. It will be in London. I promise not to keep asking you to say your line from Dark Angel: "I come in peace..."!We have had some really talented creative people share with us over the months from actors to directors and producers and other fascinating minds- I think from this amazing talent we could even make a great action film. On that subject have you ever done any films here in London? MH: No, not... yet. I was there for Tomb Raider to meet with John Hubbard as Paramount had sent me the script, to possibly star in it, opposite Angelina Jolie, and send me to London. I was very close for a moment, but had to watch as Gerald Butler snagged the role from me in the last minute. So yes that was my closest London- 'almost shooting there' experience :) As for visiting you at The Peace Dimension event I will be thrilled and honoured to be there. I can also see ourselves with all that talent to even do more, as you said, perhaps shoot a movie !! RS: This platform is called The Peace Dimension after my book The Peace Dimension- Ten Meditations for Testing Times. The Peace Dimension is perhaps a state we can tap into but I do see it as a gathering of creative voices. Matthias, what does The Peace Dimension symbolise to you? MH: Well tricky question, I would have to read your book :) I am going to check it out. What I can imagine is that the power of mind, used for the right purpose, is unlimited. I have felt the power of the mind in such ways it is simply scary, as I mention in my book "Shirtless in Hollywood" I have seen it even backfire if abused in the wrong way. So, the dimension you push your thoughts, are up to you and all is possible. I love the sound of peace and this is a great start. "I come in peace" by the way. RS: Fantastic- you said the line! Matthias it has been so very cool to discuss training, your films and to learn more about you. Please come back again as there are many more questions to ask! Good luck with your next roles and hopefully next time we will meet in person. MH: Thank you Ryan. I'm super honoured to have been asked in the first place and very curious to learn more about you and your events. I will stay in touch and hopefully see you in person. Ok, peace to you all. Cheers. Matthias Hues Matthias's instagram profile can be found here: http://www.instagram.com/officialmatthiashues/ and his book 'Shirtless in Hollywood' is available on Amazon. The Peace Dimension by Ryan Stride is available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk Copyright © Ryan Stride 2020 All rights reserved Comments are closed.
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AuthorBorn in London, England, Ryan wishes to share with people how the mystical can be found in the moment, allowing great things to happen. Ryan is also a writer and social commentator who is currently working on a script and several new book titles. ArchivesCategories |