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A few months ago I got talking to one of the nicest people in show business who can probably bench-press a hatchback or sacrifice himself for Michelle Yeoh onscreen.
Jon Xue Zhang is a British actor who rubs shoulders with the biggest names in the biz while juggling various roles simultaneously such as actor, stunt coordinator, piano player, seasoned martial artist and so many more. The first time I talked to Jon, there were just so many professional hats he wore that I thought it needed at least another interview to know more about his interests that run parallel to his acting career.
1. What got Jon Xue Zhang into stunt performances for major Hollywood movies?
As a child, I always wanted to be an actor. As I got a little older, my brother and I saw an open casting, where they wanted Asian Martial Artists for a film, which happened to be 47 Ronin, so that was my first real experience on a film set. (Prior to that, I'd done a few short films, doing fight scenes as a villain). Whilst I still wanted to pursue acting, I started out with stunts first and eventually transitioned into acting, which is what I do now.
Martial arts are split into 3 main categories; fighting, health, and performance. I train for self-defense, for health, and also perform for a living, so I'm still using those skills.
Martial arts are split into 3 main categories; fighting, health, and performance
2. What is the most fun stunt work you have done yourself or supervised?
Doing my own fight sequence for The Brothers Sun, especially working with an incredible stunt team who let me help design the choreography.
If we're talking purely stunts, I'd say Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw is one of my favorites; I got thrown over a table by The Rock and it was just an amazing experience.
2a. Which one was your most challenging?
Marvel Eternals was challenging as there were many reshoots for the same sequence. That was also the first job I did wirework.
3. What is your fitness routine to stay limber for a busy stunt career?
I hit the gym 5 days a week but do martial arts every day. I also have sports massages, which really help with old injuries. Much of the training also involves stretching, mobility, and rehab, which is essential.
Not to mention, meditative practices, just to be able to remain calm under pressure, especially as the film industry is an exceptionally high pressured environment.
I hit the gym 5 days a week but do martial arts every day
4. Who or what has been instrumental in shaping your career as a stunt performer? How big of a role does your active martial arts practice play in it?
I'd say Vincent Wang; he was one of my trainers on 47 Ronin and would bring me back for other jobs over the years. He is not only exceptionally experienced, he is also a phenomenal martial artist. I've learned a lot from him over the years and he has always been an inspiration.
Having a martial arts background certainly helps with fight sequences, timing, and reactions, to make it look as real as possible. That's why performers should always be training when they're not working, just so that they're ready as soon as the phone rings for a job. Check out the Exclusive Blackmilk Studio Interview: Talking to Macgregor a.k.a Miguel de Olaso
5. What are your top 5 favorite martial arts movies of all time?
Fist of Legend,
Once Upon a Time in China (I love 1 and 2),
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,
Dragons Forever, and
The Raid
6. If you had a bucket list for stunt performances, what would it be? How far along would you be on it?
I took stunts as far as I wanted to before transitioning to acting and did all the stuff I set out to do. Acting is my focus, but these days, I still do a little bit of action design and I teach seminars on-screen fighting and stunts.
7. What is your view on training the mind through martial arts disciplines?
Absolutely essential. It doesn't matter how good the car is if the driver isn't capable on the day; it's the same with martial arts. You could know all the physical moves and they'd be useless if you couldn't compose yourself under pressure or have the emotional control to restrain yourself from saying or doing something you may come to regret.
It doesn't matter how good the car is if the driver isn't capable on the day
7a. Also, what is your view on the balance of mind and body to live life well?
The mind is the driver; I always try to put that first. Being in control of emotions is so important; a martial artist may be physically talented but may lack control over their ego. Temporary problems never need permanent solutions.
Temporary problems never need permanent solutions.
7b. Which is the best way to help train your mind in terms of practices such as mindful meditation, Tai Chi, or other martial arts practices?
I am a huge advocate of meditation; it doesn't have to be sitting still in a quiet room, it can be done when playing a sport because you are very much in the moment. That's meditation in motion.
Being able to control your breathing, staying in the present, being able to allow the thoughts to pass by and subside, whilst you observe what is happening around you right now as opposed to what's going on in your head.
You're not you when you're hungry, so you eat. You're not you when you're thirsty, so you drink. You're not you when you're nervous, so you have to breathe. It's important not to identify with our anxieties.
Change your breathing back to what it is when it's relaxed, take your time with it and your physical and mental faculties will return to you so that you can deal with the issue at hand as opposed to your own nerves.
Meditation doesn't have to be sitting still in a quiet room, it can be done when playing a sport because you are very much in the moment. That's meditation in motion.
Another thing that is neglected is actually seeing someone to talk to about anything you're struggling with. I worked as both a counselor and sports psychologist (in education and also for the Saudi Arabian National Taekwondo Team), so I would always advise speaking to a professional.
I worked as both a counselor and sports psychologist
8. What does your daily diet look like?
I eat once a day, around 1800 calories per day. Intermittent fasting and keto work well for me; they just make it easier for me to control what I consume.
Although with fasting, I can go 3-4 days without eating and still function well. As I train for worst-case scenarios (as best I can anyway!), being able to function on less is important to me so that I can continue to remain composed under pressure, even when I am hungry.
8a. How's the food in England?
The UK is quite international, filled with many different cultures, so there's always a lot of variety in food.
8b. What is your favorite cuisine across the world?
That really depends on the day!
9. How many people do you train in martial arts and stunt performing regularly ( or on a consulting basis )?
I receive hundreds of messages and emails and I try to respond to as many as I can, which is why I initially wrote my book, The Martial Heart (2020). In terms of regular teaching, I only train one guy a week. I do the occasional seminar.
For performers, as mentioned earlier, I do teach stunt and fight seminars, where we have access to a gymnastics venue, which has foam pits in order to practice falls. I've been really enjoying teaching these as I get to pass on my own experience with screenfighting, on-set etiquette, things to keep in mind on set, what to expect, such as things that might change in between takes, and how to deal with it all.
I do teach stunt and fight seminars, which I've been really enjoying teaching, as I get to pass on my own experience
I love it and I have an amazing team, (Justin, Sophie, Muleya) who are awesome stunt performers themselves, and who are helping me run these seminars.
Our last seminar had 24 people, and there was a 50/50 split between male and female, which is almost unheard of as it can be predominantly male-dominated. (As far as I'm aware, we're also the only organization that provides catering too!)
10. What is your view on Tom Cruise's stunt career?
He is incredible! His love for the craft and his energy are inspirational.
11. Who are your stunt-performing idols? ( Also mentors if any? ) What do you admire about them?
Roger Yuan, a childhood hero, who I've had the honor of working with (47 Ronin, The Continental). Phenomenal martial artist, incredibly knowledgeable, and just a really amazing guy. I love Roger and still look up to him.
Michael Lehr. This guy is just amazing at everything he does! Love his energy, talent, and extensive skill set. Am proud to call him a friend.