Alexander Nevsky – Showdown in Manila

By starrymag | February 20, 2018

By: Kelly Kearney

 

 

Q) You play a private detective named Nick in the new action film Showdown in Manila. Can you talk a little bit about the film and how your character fits in?

 

A) First of all, thank you and Starry Constellation Magazine for all the support, I really appreciate it! Secondly, I like The Expendables franchise a lot. The Sly Stallone’s idea of bringing many action icons together was so brilliant! Showdown in Manila was inspired by The Expendables. I created a story with Mark Dacascos and Craig Hamann. My character Nick is ex-NYPD detective and he lives in Manila now. Nick is brutal and fearless, but he also has a good heart and always takes care of his friends. It was big fan for me to play this guy.

 

Q) While Marc Dacascos is no stranger to action films and television, Showdown in Manila is his directorial debut. What was your experience like working with Mark?

 

A) Mark is a personal friend, we know each other for many years. He did a great job as a first time director and I’m very proud of him. Mark was always supportive with cast and crew on the set and he tried hard to make Showdown in Manila as epic as possible. It’s not easy at all to make an independent action film but we did it.

 

Q) The film has a rather large cast of action stars but the chemistry, comedy and comradery between you and Casper Van Dien’s “Charlie” was especially enjoyable. Was there any fun behind the scenes moments between you two that you could share with the fans?

 

A) Thank you very much. I’m glad you like our work! We all know Casper Van Dien from Starship Troopers franchise, he’s an action star. But he’s great actor also! Mark introduced us to each other before the Showdown in Manila script was even written, but I knew right away that he should play Charlie. It was great to work with Casper. We made jokes between the takes all the time and improvised a lot during the shooting. We also trained together almost every morning and I pushed him to lift heavier weights, which he hated. [winks]

 

Q) What was your biggest challenge making this film?

 

A) To be honest with you, I made my own directorial debut Black Rose right before Showdown in Manila. On Black Rose I worked as a director, writer, producer and a main actor (I was in almost every scene). It was a very tough experience. So, working on Showdown in Manila as an actor and producer only was nothing compare to all the challenges I had on Black Rose. It was like a walk in the park really.

 

Q) What was it like shooting in the Philippines?

 

A) We had a great time. We had many locations, shot all around Manila and in the real jungle. Our local co-producer Chris Santiago and his team were very professional. Our director of photography Rudy Harbon did a great job too and movie looks very good. I spent a month in Philippines working on Showdown in Manila and can’t wait to go back there to shoot another movie.

 

Q) What is it about Showdown in Manila that will excite fans and make them want to see it?

 

A) Our film is a great action adventure with some comedy elements in it. It’s also a tribute to classic Hollywood action movies from 80s and 90s. So many people miss those movies and real action heroes of the past. Showdown in Manila will be like a time machine for them! I’m so glad that film is available now in the US and Canada, after being released in about forty countries. Your readers can check out Showdown in Manila on VOD and all the digital platforms, in RedBox and soon – on DVD.

 

Q) The film really brings viewers back to those 90’s action movies and has a sort of The Expendables feel to it thanks to casting Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock, Olivier Gruner, Matthew Hues, Casper and yourself. If you had to choose, what would say was your favorite action movie of the past that you have seen?

 

A) Commando with Arnold Schwarzenegger is my all time favorite action movie. But I like most of the films made by Stallone, JCVD, Chuck Norris and all my Showdown in Manila amazing co-stars – Gruner, Tagawa, Rothrock, Carrere, Wilson, Hues, Van Dien and Dacascos!

 

Q) Did you learn anything about your craft while working with this group of legendary actors?

 

A) They all were very friendly and supportive. I learned a lot from my co-stars. We worked long hours every day but everyone was so happy to make Showdown in Manila. Casper Van Dien helped me with my lines, Don “The Dragon” Wilson rehearsed my fights with me, Olivier Gruner made sure I did everything right with guns and so on. It was like dream come true!

 

Q) Besides Showdown in Manila, are you working on any other projects the fans can look out for?

 

A) My next action film Maximum Impact is almost finished. It was directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak (Romeo Must Die) and written by Ross LaManna (Rush Hour). I produced it and starred in with William Baldwin, Kelly Hu, Danny Trejo, Tom Arnold and Eric Roberts. Maximum Impact is my biggest project to date and it will be released worldwide in 2018. Fans can always get updates on my official Instagram @RealAlexNevsky and Twitter @NevskyAlexandr