Hiroyuki Sanada, the Japanese actor, martial artist and sword master has carved and diced his way through “Mortal Kombat”, “Westworld” and “Avengers: Endgame” and made it look easy.
In ‘Bullet Train’, the David Leitch-directed action thriller about five hit men with confused missions trapped on a high-speed train in Tokyo, it was actually like that.
“We took my ideas, David’s ideas, the choreographer’s ideas, the stuntman’s ideas, and mixed them on set,” said Sanada, with whom Leitch had worked as a stunt coordinator on “The Wolverine.” “We rehearsed two or three times and then shoot, shoot, shoot. Very smooth and fun. Especially since David already believed in my suggestions and skills.”
In a cast starring Brad Pitt as one of the killers, Sanada plays the Elder, a mysterious figure with unwavering edicts whose son (Andrew Koji) is aboard that train to avenge his child’s near-murder.
The film, which will premiere on August 5, also has a great sense of humor to Sanada’s delight. To the point that when Leitch suggested some strategic blood dripping during a pivotal scene, Sanada yelled, “I love this movie!”
Since Sanada appeared with Tom Cruise in “The Last Samurai” in 2003, Sanada has regularly delved into the authenticity of film and TV depictions of Japanese culture. His latest projects include ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’, due out in March, and ‘Shogun’ for FX, updated for a more culturally advanced audience, in which he both starred and acted as producer.
“I wasn’t the producer before, but I did the same,” he said with a laugh about his advice. “Twenty years later, I finally got a title.”
In a phone call from Los Angeles, Sanada elaborated on the things he finds necessary to maintain a peaceful and healthy private life — to better counter the chaos he’s causing on-screen.
These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
1. Jazz When I was in my early twenties I started listening to jazz because my favorite director, Makoto Wada, was a specialist and he used jazz in my films. He taught me many great musicians. The singer Mel Torme. Of course, Miles Davis on the trumpet. And Ray Brown is my favorite bassist. Playing the double bass became one of my hobbies – kind of, just for fun.
2. The Baseball Player Shohei Ohtani Of course he has a great talent. And then he has a great way, in the stadium or outside or with fans. He is very polite and a good model for the young generation. I started playing baseball when I was 8 or 9 and mostly played catcher. Interesting, that position, like the bass in the band. Maybe that’s why I enjoy producing and supporting others off-camera. I love [those positions] more than lead guitar. [laughs]
3. The Redemptive Power of Sunsets Watching the sunset has been so healing to me since I was young. I had made a lot of action movies at that time and after dangerous scenes, on the way back in the car or the crew bus, the sunset healed me. After moving to LA, I stayed around the ocean and watched the sunset every day. And I felt the same: “This ocean is connected to Japan. So if I fail in the US, I can go back any minute.” Then the sunset healed me. I could survive.
4. The Japanese countryside of his youth My mother’s family was from Amami Oshima Island, and they were fishermen. My father’s family was located in Nagano in the mountains, and they were farmers. So I have agricultural blood. I was born in Tokyo, but I’m not necessarily a city boy. I believe that is why California is very comfortable for me.
5. Oysters. . . Every time I shoot, I try to find the best oysters in town. I like Kumamoto oysters, maybe because of the name. And I also like Kusshi. Small but creamy and deep. Even if they’re fresh, I don’t eat oysters the day before shooting. I’ve never gotten sick of oysters, but just in case.
6. . . . with wine I change the color for every meal – start with rosé and then go to white, or start with white and go to red. It depends on the mood. I drink wine almost every night. Oysters and wine, that suits me perfectly.
7. Getting in 10,000 steps I like driving and discovering new places and then walking and taking steps. I try to make 10,000 a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but that’s my basic goal. It is so good for mental health and body health and refreshing and discovering.
8. Pisces When I was little I went fishing with my older brother and sometimes I would dive to get shellfish or lobsters. When I have a day off, I forget everything, relax and focus on fishing. Then I cook the fish myself. Sometimes I do a barbecue on the beach and sometimes I bring it home and make sashimi or sushi. Or cook. Or grill. Or smoke.
9. Gardening It’s a small garden, and actually it’s not outside. It’s near the kitchen by the window, and I grow a few kinds of herbs for cooking. Using my own products in my dishes is one of my treats. Basil and mini tomatoes and shiso. Green onions and jalapeños. And coin. It is also good for a cocktail.
10. The Golfer Hideki Matsuyama When he won the 2021 Masters Tournament, I was so proud of him. He created a new history [by becoming the first Japanese man to win a major golf championship]. He also gave a dream to a young generation in Japan. That’s why [Ohtani and Matsuyama’s] playing gives me passion and motivation to continue shooting in the US or global market. To break through that wall [between East and West]. If young actors take inspiration from my work, that would be great.