Actor Ray Park who stars in the upcoming action movie “G.I. Joe” as Snake Eyes, personified evil playing Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace and scared audiences stiff as the headless horseman in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, finally reveals himself to loyal fans for the first time without a mask or costume in the upcoming season of “Heroes“.
Though his moves and martial artistry is certainly recognizable, his face has been curiously obscured in nearly every film in which he’s appeared until now. Ray Park will come out from ‘behind the mask’ on September 21st, 2009 starring as the character, Edgar, in the first episode of the new season of Heroes.
Training to the Top
Scottish-born Park always set his sights to be in the movies, but his true passion was martial arts. At the tender age of seven, he began practicing martial arts. Park mastered the traditional Chinese Northern Shaolin Kung-fu (in the Chin Woo style) and various other styles, including Wushu. Soon becoming a regular fixture at martial arts exhibitions and tournaments, the now defined and disciplined athlete dominated Great Britain’s martial arts championships before later traveling to Malaysia to refine his skills.
Masked Acting Roles
After he conquered the martial arts world, Park set his sites on acting and became a natural on the set, gaining more roles as he the industry recognized his abilities as both actor and martial artist. He was later contacted by stunt coordinator Nick Gillard to audition for George Lucas’ upcoming Star Wars prequel. Offered the job by producer Rick McCallum, Park was given the creative freedom to develop his choreography by an impressed Lucas, while gaining confidence to develop his role to the best of well trained skill set.
After playing headless horseman in Sleepy Hollow (1999), Park finally saw his face and voice joined on the silver screen (his voice was dubbed in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace) with his role as Toad in Bryan Singer’s X-Men (2000). Park took the lead as the title character in Iron Fist later the same year. Though curious Star Wars fanatics clamored to rumors that Park would return as Darth Maul in the eagerly anticipated Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), their many speculations were shot down by George Lucas himself with the announcement that although that specific character would not return for the sequel, Park would indeed play a role in Episode II. Currently, Ray is starring as Snake Eyes in G.I. Joe.
LA’s the Place caught up with Ray to find out what his thoughts are about his current role and his ‘coming out’ role on Heroes.
LA’s The Place: Your costume in G.I. Joe looked really constraining, was it hard for you to move in it during the action sequences?
Ray Park: Yes, it was a challenge and I was a bit freaked out at first. I wasn’t expecting it to be so thick and I couldn’t really move my head or breathe very well. I asked them to give me a practice costume so I could practice moving in it. I started going to the sauna and wearing hoodies and as much clothes as possible so that I could work through it and overcome it. Eventually it became standard to put the mask on and channel the character.
LATP: Heroes is your first TV role; how is it different from film?
RP: For me, it’s very different the setups are shot quicker and there is not a lot of time for making mistakes. On a movie you spend a lot of time in your trailer but with Heroes you go straight to the set. I’m really enjoying it
LATP: Heroes will be the first time your fans get to see your face. Are you excited?
RP: Very excited! I hope that it will open up more opportunities for work. I think it’s going to be great.
LATP: How did you prepare to play Edgar?
RP: Circus and carnival are my key words for this role. I really channel them when I’m playing Edgar. I sat down and created my own thoughts on him before I ever met with the writers and producers. This is the first time I have used knifes, aside from cooking so I practiced a lot. I definitely took some tips from the chefs at Benihana’s.
LATP: Do you help to create the action sequences?
RP: That would be really nice if I did but it’s a team effort. I don’t create the action sequences but I know the producers want me to show off the best moves I can do so we work together. The sequences are already mapped out but we have to go over them to find out what works best.
LATP: Can you let us in on any secrets from the season?
RP: You will just have to wait and find out…
Ray was always the right guy to play the role as Snake-eyes, he made us all proud.