Whether in ‘The Matrix’, ’47 Ronin’ or ‘John Wick’: Keanu Reeves likes to let his fists fly. His passion for martial arts cinema is not only an audience favorite as an actor. It’s also no coincidence that the Beirut-born superstar sat in the director’s chair for the first and only time for a martial arts film – namely ‘Man Of Tai Chi’. Now comes Reeves’ next testament to his love for physical action cinema:
Keanu Reeves is working on a documentary about the legendary Benny Urquidez, such as reported only – and collaborates with Oscar winner Fisher Stevens and Jennifer Tixiera, who will direct the film.
Benny Urquidez?! Never heard? Then it’s time to help you. Because even if you have never heard the name of the now 71-year-old Californian, you have undoubtedly already experienced the fruits of his labor if you watch an action film every now and then…
This is Benny “The Jet” Urquidez
Urquidez started taking martial arts at an early age, boxing from the age of five and over the years eventually found his favorite discipline: karate. From the late 1970s onwards he won several world titles in different weight classes – before finally jumping off the mat in front of the camera.
Known as Benny “The Jet” Urquidez (nicknamed for his infamous, incredibly fast and hard kicks), He broke into the film world as the opponent of Jackie Chan, whom he gave birth to in “The power man“ (1984) and especially in a spectacular fight in the criminally underrated “Action fighter(1988) made it extremely difficult. Shortly afterwards, he made his first appearance in a real Hollywood film with a small supporting role in “Road House” (1989) opposite Patrick Swayze. It wouldn’t be his last. Even though he eventually made a name for himself in the dream factory, not as an actor in front of the camera, but as a stunt performer, where even big stars were lined up.
Already in the mid-80s, Urquidez made a name for himself with his so-called to independently teach martial artists, stuntmen and last but not least actresses. He trained Tom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, Patrick Swayze, Kurt Russell, Mark Wahlberg, Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer, among others. – and worked as a fight choreographer and stunt coordinator on films such as “Con Air”, “Streetfighter”, “The Big Hit”, “Star Force Soldier” and Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” and Michael Bay’s “Pearl Harbor “. ” with.
You can get a sense of Urquidez’s skills in the “Action Hunter” trailer around 1 p.m. But of course it’s best if you catch up on the whole movie if you don’t know it yet. For the author of this article and a self-proclaimed martial arts fan, this is one of the best Jackie Chan films ever – not only, but also thanks to Benny “The Jet” Urquidez.