Sergio Rizzuto – Hard Kill

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I’m currently working on a handful of projects in various stages. I optioned a national best seller titled Ultramarathon Man that I’m co-writing with the book’s author, Dean Karnazes. I’m co-writing another film that’s currently under wraps with a good friend and producing partner, Gerard Roxburgh. Him and I are also developing another project together that he wrote and will be directing and editing titled Love, Death and Prizefighting based on the true story of UFC fighter Josh Samman’s life. The UFC has allowed us to say they’re on board with the project. I’ll be acting in that as well. I’m working on two separate options for two more books, both of which have sold millions of copies from world famous authors. I’m a producer on an upcoming film, tentatively starring Gerard Butler titled Hair of the Dog. I’ll also be in that movie. I’m also executive producing three upcoming features, A Head Full of Ghosts, directed by Scott Cooper, He Wanted The Moon written by Tony Kushner starring Brad Pitt, produced by Plan B and Cross Creek Pictures and Over Tumbled Graves written and directed by Scott Cooper, also with Cross Creek. I have a few others in early stages under wraps as well as two short films in post-production that I wrote. One of them I starred in, the other I directed.

Q) Please tell us the premise for Hard Kill.

A) I play an anarchist who kidnaps a tech giant’s (Bruce Willis) quantum AI technology and kidnap his daughter to lure him to me so I can get the fail-safe code from him.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the film?

A) I had done a few others with the same producers and they asked if I was interested in this. It was my largest role for a feature so far so I said yes.

Q) How was “The Pardoner” originally described to you?

A) The Pardoner was a one-dimensional cliché bad guy. I re -rote as much of his dialogue as I was allowed.

Q) Was there anything that you added to the role that wasn’t in the initial breakdown?

A) Yes. I added a lot to The Pardoner in terms of his motives, personality, etc. I also added in that he was in love with Eva (Bruce’s daughter he kidnaps) in order to up the stakes. I’d hope anyone watching with that knowledge may get why I made some of the choices I did.

Q) What kind of physical prep prior to shooting went into getting into character?

A) Not much. I’ve been pretty physically fit most of my life. I did some stunt training for a big fight scene Jesse [Metcalfe] and I had. That’s about it.

Q) Were you looking forward to sharing a scene with someone in particular?

A) I suppose Bruce, even though he’s basically given up on acting at this point in his career.

Q) The cinematography and shots were incredible! What were some of your favorite scenes to film?

A) The fight at the end was pretty entertaining to film. [Spoiler] I also liked the scene toward the end when I finally get the code from Bruce.

Q) With such intense action scenes, how did you shake off a long day of filming?

A) Days were pretty long and also freezing. By the end I was pretty shot. I’d go back to the hotel, grab a bite and pass out.

Q) You are a part of social media. What kind of response have you been receiving to the movie already?

A) Mixed reviews. It’s no secret the movie didn’t perform well. I got a lot of positive feedback from friends and strangers. Then, there are the “critics” who just trash and insult the movie and everyone in it versus actually reviewing it, so I don’t really care too much what they have to say.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and your work?

A) I’d like to say this film was a good stepping stone for my career. It may not be the best movie or perhaps not even my best performance, but it’s all part of the journey. I know I have what it takes to keep on going and that’s what I’m gonna do. I don’t expect people to look back at this film and go, “Wow Sergio was great in this!” It just wasn’t that type of movie. I’ve played much smaller roles that I feel show off more of what I’ve got as an actor. I’ve got a lot of good stuff coming up that I think will suit me much better.