In part 2 of our Interview with master artist RZA, Dave Morales talks to the Grammy Award Winner about getting Russell Crow on board his new film The Man with the Iron Fists.
RZA took us back to a point in time where he was cast for a part in The Next Three Days. He mentioned it “being a coincidence” and “Russell didn’t know I would be on the set”. “The director hired me for a part and that part being beating him over the head with a stick. And I took that part,” RZA reminisced as he laughed.
The two “got a chance to talk” while filming when RZA presented the idea for The Man with the Iron Fists which he “already had the screenplay written by then”. RZA mentioned Crowe “being interested but, not too interested…it really wasn’t his cup of tea,” he added.
“After a few more conversations” with Crowe and showing him his “passion” for the project, Crowe “took a chance”. Crowe told RZA, “I don’t exactly know what you are doing here but, I trust you as an artist.” “And it was that trust that brought him on board. I knew that he gave me that trust and I did not deny that trust or break that trust,” RZA exclaimed.
After being on set in China for 5 weeks, Crowe was up for shooting his first scene. “Being sort of the new kid on the block” Crowe pulled RZA aside to tell him “There is no set that I don’t take over.” RZA stated that he “welcomed” his input on the film. “He is the master…one of the smartest guys I know…a genius” he stated.
The Man with the Iron Fists opens in theaters November 2nd.
“This is Russell Crowe as you’ve never seen him before” – RZA
Read: RZA on How Russell Crowe Became “Jacknife”
Read: RZA on The Man with the Iron Fists
