DANIEL NELSON TALKS MORTAL KOMBAT

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

What did you know of 'Mortal Kombat' before getting involved with the movie-adaption. You seem more like you would prefer doing something physical, outside, rather than playing video games?

I played the video game as a child on the old SEGA console. Really enjoyed the creativeness and options with all of the characters.

Did you get to play any of the games together with the cast and crew on the set?

Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to play the 'Mortal Kombat' games with the other cast. Maybe that was a missed opportunity.

The film was originally set to be out by now but the fight are now finally about to begin in some cinemas, and on HBO Max, this April. How far back is it that you filmed this now?

We finished all the principal filming in December 2019, but we also filmed during Covid in November of 2020 for some additional scenes.

Is it right you got your start doing cereal–commercials?

Yes my first ever job in front of the camera was for a Nutri-Grain commercial. My role was playing a competitor in a surf life-saving race. 

How did you found your way into acting from there on?

I got into acting from that commercial but found my way into stunts through theme park—stunt shows. The first movie I worked on was a film called 'Bait' in 2010 where I was an action double and also had a small acting scene. 

How much time did you have training for this one role?

For the role of Kabal I had about two months notice so spent a lot of that time training up with dual kali sticks. 

This is the first time we get to see Kabal on film, while making his game–debut in 1995, he has been considered too much of a complex character not least due to his physical appearance, how did this role come about for you and what was it like stepping into and not least fighting in all of that gear?

They needed someone with a competent level of martial arts skills and Simon McQuoid, the director, let the stunt coordinator help with his decision on who to cast as Kabal, there were definitely some impairments with the costume as it was quite bulky and vision wasn’t great, but Kabal is easily the role I’m most proud of and had some really fun stunts within the role. 

Doing what you do, being set on fire, running, jumping, fighting, over and over again all to make the vision happen on camera, what is it that makes you stand up again and take another fall?

I really like the diversity in the work. No two days are the same and I get to meet some interesting people, and see some amazing locations. I know I’m lucky to have these opportunities too so that definitely keeps me going. 

What was it like on the set of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’?

'Pirates of the Caribbean' was really cool and it was one of my first stunt jobs so I was really excited to be on such a big film set. The pirate-village they built was really amazing. You could see how much work that went into it. 

‘Mortal Kombat’ is the biggest motion picture to ever have been filmed in South Australia, as James Wan decided to move production there after having a great experience filming ‘Aquaman’. How would you describe the Australian movie-scene when Hollywood aren't around, though. Are there a lot of opportunities for you there in the land down under?

As a stunt performer most of my work comes from Hollywood productions. Australian film and television doesn’t tend to have a lot of action, its mainly drama. 

So do you generally have to travel a lot to do what you do?

I haven’t traveled overseas for film work but I would really like to as I think it is a great way to see other countries and cultures. I have traveled a lot within Australia for film and television. I also lived in Singapore for two years for a stunt show at the Universal Studios theme park. 

You’re not actually originally from Australia but from New Zeeland. If I’m not mistaken you left home about fourteen years ago?

If you told me back then what I'm doing now I wouldn not believe you. I come from a small town where there isn’t a film industry. Back then my focus was my sport. 

This year we can also see you in ‘Harrow’. As well as in the other big movie on HBO Max this spring, ‘Godzilla vs Kong’, when it rain it pours?

2019 was a good year for me. I was working on 'Godzilla vs Kong', then 'Reef Break' and followed by 'Mortal Kombat'. 2020 was very slow with Covid, and I had to rely on a day job to survive. 'Harrow' was only a day on set though so not a big job for me. 

Did you get to spend any quality time with Skarsgård on set?

Alexander is quite a private person so most of out interactions were mainly to do with what ever the action was at the time. Although he was always very polite and professional on set.