JET LI AND JASON STATHAM AT WAR

Action stars known for their martial arts skills go hand to hand combat in War.

The fighting style in War starring Jason Statham and Jet Li doesn’t focus on the martial arts or kung fu choreography both actors are known for. Instead it’s old-fashioned hand to hand combat.

Director Philip G. Atwell wanted to see a more realistic style of fighting rather than fancy footwork.

“The director explained that he wanted to see a real fight, real beating up each other for real so we just try to do real to help the story because a real one can not be long. Normally humans fighting each other is very short. If you want to kill somebody it’s shorter. You don’t need to fight 10 minutes. After 10 minutes somebody dies, it’s not true. Usually it’s a few moves and somebody died already. And especially the character I play has special training to kill people.”

Jet Li and Jason Statham have worked together before in The One but Statham never had the opportunity to take on Li until now.

“Jet’s done so many great martial arts movies and I think he’s got more stories than I have. I’m the apprentice in comparison. We finally get to get a grip of each other, almost. For me it’s a great privilege. I’ve watched Jet Li movies for years and for me to do a fight sequence with Jet, stories to tell the kids I suppose.”

Well known stunt choreographer Cory Yuen who also directed Statham in The Transporter created War’s realistic fight sequences and impressive stunts.