An oral history of the action classic Blood and Bone

One fateful school weekend, ActionMax, the style spinoff of Cinemax, programmed three down-and-dirty motion movies in a back-to-back marathon of cable curation that might change my life.

First was Common Soldier: Day of Reckoning, a one-in-a-million mix of science fiction, horror, and R-rated motion. Then Undisputed II: Final Man Standing, a milestone second for the up-and-coming Scott Adkins. However the coup de grâce was 2009’s Blood and Bone.

Directed by Ben Ramsey (Dragonball Evolution, author of The Huge Hit), Blood and Bone is a crisp, 93-minute underground combat film led by Undisputed II’s Michael Jai White, who surrounds himself with a litany of high-profile skilled fighters, together with Bob Sapp, Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano, and Matt Mullins. The forged and stunt crew is full of motion film legends (Gene LeBell, Robert Wall, Ron Yuan, Zoë Bell), main business players-to-be (Extraction franchise director Sam Hargrave, The Continental stunt coordinator Larnell Stovall, Day Shift director J.J. Perry, Black Panther combat coordinator Clayton J. Barber), and proficient business veterans who stay underappreciated to this present day (Jesse V. Johnson collaborator Luke LaFontaine, and Sauron himself, Sala Baker).

Blood and Bone is an unforgettable show of our bodies in movement. Anchored by a satisfyingly easy story about an ex-con trying to dominate an underground preventing ring to meet a promise to a lifeless buddy, the motion choreography and fist-to-face sound results mix to type pure cinema. Ramsey’s film had opened me as much as not only a complete new world of flicks, however a complete new means of watching them.

On the event of its fifteenth anniversary, and at a time when all of its main gamers really feel both important to motion motion pictures or underappreciated for his or her artwork, Polygon spoke to a lot of these concerned with Blood and Bone to grasp how they pulled it off.

Michael Jai White, “Isaiah Bone” and co-producer: [Blood and Bone] was just about a revisiting of ’70s moviemaking, as a result of I’d do all the things on digicam. There’s no digicam stunts or methods or what have you ever. I really like being pure to that, as a result of Blood and Bone was about it — that was a combat film. That was an homage to Arduous Instances [starring Charles Bronson and James Coburn] in a up to date vogue. In order that’s what that was supposed to be. So it needed to be this actually mano-a-mano street-fighting kind of factor.

Ben Ramsey, director: It began with Mike [Jai White]. He was on the lookout for a director [for this project], and I had identified Mike for fairly a couple of years earlier than we determined to do that. We have been fellow martial arts fanatics, and at all times talked about doing one collectively. So he got here to me with the script. And I used to be like, Yeah, come on, let’s go. Let’s do it. And we received the funding, and the remainder, as they are saying, is historical past.

J.J. Perry, second unit director, martial arts director, and stunt coordinator: Me and Mike Jai White return to 1990. Once I received out of the military, he was simply getting [to LA] from New York. He was a kyokushin nationwide champion. I used to be the identical in taekwondo. We have been each, like, prime gamers in our respective martial arts. He’s fairly a bit greater than me, he’s a distinct weight class, however we hit it off instantly.

I did Undisputed II with Mike. We have been already mates, however that’s once we created a really skilled working relationship. And that’s when he requested me to come back do Blood and Bone with him. I used to be tremendous honored.

Sam Hargrave, “Manuel” and co-fight coordinator: It was early days in my profession. J.J. Perry was a stunt coordinator I’d labored with. We had executed X-Males Origins: Wolverine in Australia, and I used to be simply beginning to make a reputation for myself. He requested me to come back on [the project], serving to him combat choreograph, and enjoying a small character position. And so I helped him design the motion, and I did a small stunt half the place I received overwhelmed up by Michael Jai White.

David Chan Cordeiro, “Carlos” and stunt performer: The celebs have been aligned. I needed to do stunts since I used to be little. A buddy of mine knew J.J., and he arrange a gathering. It actually modified the course of my life.

Hargrave: I don’t assume [you know how special it is] while you’re in it on the time. All of the individuals I used to be working with have been extra established than I used to be. J.J. and Clayton [J. Barber] and Sala [Baker] had executed a lot greater motion pictures for for much longer than I had. I believe I used to be most likely too younger and caught up within the second to comprehend who’s who, the checklist that I had the honour to be within the midst of. However you look again and go wow — for those who mix all the resumes of those individuals, it’s probably the most spectacular lineups in motion cinema historical past.

Ramsey: We used to brag that we had the baddest forged on the town.

Cordeiro: I used to be starstruck.

Perry: We shot in a short time. And we employed a number of badasses. We beat up 50,000 motherfuckers in like 5 days with three cameras.

White: That’s what we needed to do. To have the ability to do it now, like even with [my recent movie] Outlaw Johnny Black, I’m creating the combat scenes as I’m on my method to set. Actually, as a result of I don’t have the time.

Larnell Stovall, “Trey” and stunt performer: This was throughout a time when the MMA craze was sort of nonetheless peaking. The place UFC was nonetheless rising and legends have been nonetheless being created. So any kind of underground preventing had an expectation behind it now. Folks needed to see extra actual methods. They needed to see jiu-jitsu, they needed to see Muay Thai, they needed to see karate. So practical types have been included in that.

Hargrave: As a result of [MMA] was within the public’s consciousness, individuals have been used to seeing that and then you definately’re taking it and including in what we might name “film fu.” Like, Sure, it’s MMA, however with an thrilling twist. So it’s the issues which might be essentially the most dynamic, however nonetheless associated to the ideas of the approach. That period was undoubtedly a demarcation and a shift of choreography for martial arts motion motion pictures.

Ramsey: We had such a short while to shoot. Loads of massive martial arts motion pictures famously had like a complete week or two weeks doing one combat scene, and we might get on set and simply have a couple of hours, and we had about 20 days [total] to shoot in a complete bunch of areas, and simply shy of $4 million on funds. So when it got here time to do these combat scenes, they’d labored it out so effectively that we might go and simply shoot.

Hargrave: What I bear in mind is the evening shoot, once I was interacting with Michael, getting my butt kicked. But in addition time spent within the fitness center with all of the stunt performers. It was pretty early in my profession, 2009. And I’d solely been doing it for about 4 years professionally. And in order that camaraderie of working with the performers, with the ability to see the magic on this type of degree — it was a enjoyable, lower-budget, gritty, get-it-done, “work with the fellas and do enjoyable stuff with your mates” [project]. And I simply bear in mind the camaraderie of the stunt crew on set.

Perry: I solely have fond recollections of these days of doing these run-and-gun, $2-to-$5-million budgets in 30 days the place it’s you and your homeboys. We’re capturing seven days every week, and we’re sleeping in our vehicles, and we’re simply going for it. I believe that’s what prepped me for [bigger Hollywood movies]. As a result of for those who can combat over your weight class in a film like that, and rating, while you get on a giant film, and also you’ve received time and cash, it’s important to shoot farther, it’s important to see farther. I’m tremendous grateful for all of these motion pictures, as a result of that’s the highway that received me to the place I’m now.

Hargrave: Decrease-budget motion pictures drive you to work rapidly and make daring decisions and act on these decisions. Which means you don’t have a number of time to second-guess your self, you don’t have a number of time to shoot a bunch of various protection, you simply [ask], What’s the only method to inform the story with the digicam there? and get it executed with confidence.

Cordeiro: Me and Sala received knocked out fairly early in a combat scene. However then there are different beats the place Michael goes as much as the chief of the gang and grabs him. So Sala and I needed to play lifeless for possibly two or three nights in a row. Sala would put his palms on my ankle and begin tickling. And I’m lifeless, and I’m making an attempt to maneuver away with out ruining the take. I discover it humorous, as a result of Sala is a large dude, he used to play rugby, an enormous human, however he’s the kindest, most humorous individual.

Stovall: Considered one of my favourite recollections was the showcase combat scene the place he took on fighter after fighter after fighter. Watching that, it was like, Yeah, that is gonna be particular.

Hargrave: That second when David Chan Cordeiro received deadmanned out of the air with a Michael Jai White aspect kick. I used to be displaying that to anyone the opposite day!

Cordeiro: I had seen a YouTube wushu reel on the time, and I mentioned, “I’ve a proposal, and I’d like to point out you.” And Michael noticed the kick and goes, “Oh, that’s superb.” And I requested, “Do you thoughts if I [am the one who gets kicked]?” As a result of I figured they’re going to provide it to a extra seasoned stunt performer. And [co-fight coordinator] Fernando [Chien] was so good. He mentioned, “No no no, David, you prompt it, you retain it.” And I’m like, Oh my God, that is my massive second. On the day we do it, I get kicked with the kick — clearly, Michael’s being protected, so the kick wasn’t full-on, he sort of grazed me, and I didn’t get pushed again. So I rise up, and I say to Sam, “Can he kick me tougher?”

Fernando introduced me a [stunt vest], and there’s a small tarp on the ground, so I had possibly an inch of padding. And he did kick me exhausting, and that’s the take within the film. After which everybody simply applauded and congratulated me. To be sincere, I didn’t care if I received knocked out once I fell on the bottom. I simply needed to promote that kick.

I used to be actually nervous that day. So many massive names. I assumed to myself, All these guys, they most likely needed to be on this spot, so I actually need to go 100%. However to be sincere, I by no means felt any jealousy from them. They have been tremendous supportive, and once I requested for suggestions, all of them mentioned, “Bro, you’re trying good, hold your self protected.”” That was probably the greatest experiences I’ve had my complete life.

Stovall: We had Tanoai Reed in that, who’s The Rock’s double. He was the man with the gold tooth that will get knocked out actually quick. And what’s humorous is, I really like the thought of subverting expectations. Now, I didn’t don’t have anything to do with the story. However as an motion designer, it teaches me to concentrate to issues. Possibly you must convey the viewers’s expectations to a sure level, after which go left. As a result of while you see a man like that, you’re like, Oh, he’s this measurement, he can transfer. OK, that is gonna be an excellent combat. After which WAPOW! and it’s over. Like, wait, what the — what simply occurred? On the finish of the day, issues like that I believe stand out extra.

So inside Blood and Bone, I preferred the concept that they constructed the character up so strongly, that by the point anyone [gave White’s character a real challenge] — whether or not it was Bob Sapp, or whether or not it’s our remaining character, the combat scene with Matt Mullins, it was a greater payoff by the point you bought there.

Hargrave: Within the remaining showdown, we had choreographed a sequence the place [Mullins] will get swept and falls to the bottom and does this massive fall. We had one other stunt man double him for that, Steve Upton. He took such a tough fall, after which simply received again up and stored going. I bear in mind my eyes coming out of my head, and going, like, Holy smokes. So yeah, Steve Upton, doubling Matt Mullins, he will get swept and does the last word taco fall, he principally falls and folds in half past 90 levels. I used to be in awe of that, the power to maintain going, that caught out to me. And I really will reference that or present that to new stunt performers and go, “That is what stunt individuals do in a combat, once they do their acrobatic falls.”

Stovall: Michael Jai, who’s a beast, he’s like my massive brother. I’ve executed a couple of movies with him. It was nice to see him get off in that.

Hargrave: Michael is implausible. He’s a real martial artist from means again, and attending to work with anyone together with his management, velocity, approach, and performing expertise is an honor, and it makes our job simpler, proper? Since you don’t have to carry their hand by the method. It’s like a dance with a associate who’s way more superior than you might be at that specific dance. So working with him, it was nice. It was by no means a way of feeling like, Oh, gosh, you’re at risk, you’re gonna get damage. As a result of he demonstrates this on a regular basis, he might cease a punch inside centimeters of your face. Simply a lot management, a lot expertise. It was actually an honor to work with him.

Ramsey: That was a every day course of for him, wowing me. The fantastic thing about capturing with an actor as expert as Mike is that you simply don’t need to depend on doing a number of cuts and protection. We deliberate and determined that we’re going to do lengthy takes and as few cuts as potential.

The opposite factor Mike was actual massive on, being a real martial artist, was displaying the character’s technique. How he would do issues like, when a man jabbed he would drop his left. Mike studied that. He throws a jab, drops and comes throughout with a proper cross, knocks him out, POW. Or there’s a man that would depart his ribs open. So Mike lifts up his arm and exposes his ribs. So there was sort of like this throughline, you understand, that he was at all times enjoying chess. He was additionally a strategist when he was preventing, in order that was one thing that we needed to point out.

Cordeiro: I believe it really works as a result of it’s Michael. It wouldn’t have labored if it was anybody else. He has an aura. Loads of what you see on Blood and Bone is Michael being Michael, sort of like Bruce Lee on Recreation of Loss of life. Had it been another person, you could possibly most likely inform if it’s being too faux or too pressured.

Perry: Mike has at all times been an expensive buddy and a fan. And I’ve at all times been an enormous fan of Michael Jai White. He’s an actual one, not simply as a martial artist, however as a human being and an actual gem. What a G. Man, you understand, I’m 10 days older than Mike Jai, lots of people don’t know that. Yeah, I want I seemed like I used to be solely 10 days older than Mike, goddamn.

Hargrave: He’s received the look, the physicality, and the charisma. He’s made a profession out of it. It’s simply curious the best way the cookie crumbles in that regard typically.

Cordeiro: I want we had Michael and [Mark] Dacascos once they first began out, now, in 2024, with the viewers that we’ve, with the administrators that we’ve. They have been the pioneers. They opened the business for us. And so they have been too far forward of their time.

Cordeiro: [White never becoming an A-list action star] is without doubt one of the issues that basically breaks my coronary heart. Clayton [J. Barber] at all times mentioned, “Motion heroes, your profession may be very short-lived and really ungrateful. You don’t get to make a complete lot of cash. Like, you’re not gonna get filthy wealthy. You’re at all times gonna be doing like a number of B motion pictures, and it’s the danger of damage.”

Stovall: Blood and Bone, that one wants a sequel.

Cordeiro: I can’t speak sufficient about how a lot this influenced my life. And I had no concept that the film would reside on so lengthy. Even these days in São Paolo, individuals might be like, “Aren’t you the man in Blood and Bone?”

Perry: Do I wish to return and do one other Blood and Bone? If it was Mike and Scott Adkins, bro, I’ll go. I’ll go as a result of these are my homeboys. Let’s go.

Ramsey: It’s sort of died down slightly bit, however for the longest time, it could occur nearly day-after-day. Someone would ask me about Blood and Bone 2. That’s a Mike and a Sony query. I used to be only a employed gun. I’m semi-retired proper now from showbiz, sort of doing my very own factor. But when the decision got here and Mike mentioned, “Come on, we’re going to do Blood and Bone 2,” I’d be there.

Blood and Bone is accessible to observe on Netflix, at no cost with adverts on Tubi, or for digital rental on Amazon and Apple TV.