ASK MARK

FROM ISABELLE NAVEAU

I've noticed something strange about "Mani"... were there special photos taken for the press??? It's about the make-up of Mark in the movie... In the French press, we have different photos of "Mani," and... the symbols change... one time they were on the right hand of Mark's breast; in another... they were on the left hand... In the movie, they were always on the left hand of Mark's breast... What do you think of that?

The reason some of the pictures have my tattoos on the opposite side is that sometimes the newspapers or magazines flip the "slides" or "negatives" to the other side for a better composition. In the movie, my tattoos are permanent tattoos, and they stay on my "left" shoulder and chest.

FROM SOUXIE

I swear in "Drive," Mark's wearing BLACK Nike trainers when he's fighting in the dusty quarry site... Then later, when he's in the Apollo 14 club, and drops the mic to stare at Masayo, he's wearing WHITE Nike trainers... I've seen the director's cut now about 19 times, and I only noticed this the other day. Please tell me he changes trainers at some point!

As far as I can remember, I only wore Nike's that were spray-painted black, and another pair of black sport shoes for the opening fight on the ship. I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

FROM NOUARA

Is that your voice speaking as "Mani?"

The voice of "Mani," in the French film "Le Pacte des Loups," is in fact MY voice. Our director, Christophe Gans, and I always intended the voice to be mine, and it is.

FROM ANGELA

Do you need to be on a special diet to stay in shape?

When I'm working on a film, I try to eat as healthy as possible. Sometimes the character's life dictates whether I need to be a little thinner or heavier than I am normally, so I'll tailor my diet and make my workout appropriately. In "Only the Strong," I played an ex-special forces soldier who teaches some high school kids the benefits of Capoeira. The director wanted me bulkier than I normally am, so the producers hired a body-building coach (my friend Ev Carreon) to train me for a few months prior to filming. I was on a special diet and gained a good seven to ten pounds for the movie. In "Double Dragon," which we filmed about six months after "Only The Strong," I dropped the weight I had gained and intentionally lost an additional seven to ten pounds for the role. I played a teenager in the twenty-first century, and the character didn't have the luxury of an endless food supply.

FROM PETER

Did you enjoy working with Rutger Hauer?

We filmed "Redline" in Budapest, Hungary. Although it was extremely cold, the city was beautiful and the people were great. I played the villain to Rutger Hauer's hero. "Bladerunner" is in my private video collection, and I've been a fan of Rutger Hauer's for a while. It was an honor and fun to work with him.

FROM JACK

How long did you study Capoeira for "Only the Strong"?

I had studied Capoeira for only two months prior to auditioning for the role in "Only the Strong." After I got the part, I was able to train five more months before the filming. My Capoeira teacher is Amen Santo, who also played my teacher in the movie.

FROM TOM

What was it like working with Marlon Brando?

A couple of years ago, I also had the honor and pleasure to work with Marlon Brando. The movie was "The Island of Dr. Moreau," and I played his half-leopard/half-son named "Lo-Mai." We shot in Cairns, Australia, and I had a great time in spite of the four hours-a-day prosthetic and make-up job. Marlon Brando was quite nice, with a good sense of humor. He pet the dogs on the set a lot. The real ones, that is.

FROM RAELENE HYDRO

Did you really break the arrow in "Redemption?"

Yes, I really did break the arrow against my neck in "Redemption." My father can break a spear and six arrows at the same time. He taught me the technique many, many years ago. I've never tried a spear, but I'm decent with arrows and those hard, plastic chopsticks used in Chinese restaurants.

What year were you on "General Hospital," and what was the name of your character?

I was on "General Hospital" around 1985-1986. I was categorized as an "under 5," which meant a character who spoke five lines or less per show. It was my first television show, and I had a lot of fun. That's where James Lew and I met for the first time in person. I had known about him for years before. I had his "Stretching and Kicking" book, and had seen him in tournaments, but never had the pleasure of meeting him until then. James and I were cast as members of this Asian gang called the "Green Shirts." I think my name was "Chung." Tia Carrere was one of the stars of the storyline James and I were a part of.

FROM JENNY McGAUGHEY

How is it to work with The Crow birds, Oreo and Cookie?

I had a good time working with Oreo and Cookie. Dave Souza (the birds' trainer) and Shelly (his assistant on the "Crow" series) made me feel as comfortable as possible. I think they did a fantastic job working with their birds. Oreo and Cookie hit their marks and always gave interesting performances. I think it was Oreo who "pooped" on my head the first day of rehearsal. At least it wasn't on camera! In our "Cast and Crew Blooper Reel," there are some takes of the crows landing on my head. Quite funny, actually.

Do you like birds?

I like birds. I just don't know much about them. My biological mom, Moriko, loves birds and had some living with her a while back. At her house in Hawaii, there are always birds eating from her bird feeder. They seem to talk to her. It's pretty cool.

FROM ISABELLE

Of the characters you've played, which are your favorites?

I feel really lucky because I've enjoyed all the roles I've played... some more than others, but I do feel I've needed each and every part to get me where I am right now. And I mean as a human being as well as an actor. Every character has shown me life from a different perspective. Every role has taught me something else about myself. I feel as if I grow as an artist and as a human being with every role. The growth is due to the "off camera" life as much as the "acting"... again, sometimes even more.

As for my favorite roles, they are: "Kenjiro" (American Samurai), "Louis Stevens"" (Only the Strong), "Toby Wong" (Drive), "Yo Hinomura" (Crying Freeman), "Jesse Page" (Boogie Boy), and "Eric Draven" (The Crow: Stairway to Heaven).

Has the Crow character inspired you?

"Eric Draven" has inspired me to love, love and love. Life goes by so fast. You have to appreciate it. You have to understand that everything and everybody is somehow, in some way... connected. It's easy to forget. Eric is reminded every day of his death.