Karl Urban spills his adventure on set for The Bluff

Thriller The Bluff, which has reached the top 10 trending streams of over 30 countries and currently ranked first on Prime Video Malaysia streaming charts, has revitalised the pirate genre across the globe with Prinyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban in the forefront.

Directed and co-written by award-winning Caribbean filmmaker Frank E. Flowers, the movie is set in the Cayman Islands and tells a story of fierce and complex heroine Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) navigating from her violent past, when the return of her vengeful former captain Connor (Karl Urban) shatters her tranquil life.

Forced to confront her demons once again, this skilled ex-pirate takes up arms once again to protect her family. Filled with gripping sword fights, tactical traps and intense brawls, this motion picture makes for a journey of redemption, through an adrenaline-fueled adventure about family, survival, and the indomitable strength of a mother’s love.

theSun had a chat with New Zealand actor Urban on playing Captain Connor in the film.

Can you introduce us to your character Captain Connor?

I portray Captain Connor. He is a former East India Trading Company Captain, now outlawed pirate. He is a man driven by a goal worth more than any treasure. He is fuelled by twin objectives. An obsessive thirst for revenge against Bloody Mary and the quest for Freedom in the form of a full pardon for his lifetime of piracy.

The movie follows a former female pirate protecting her family when her past catches up with her. How does your character fit into this story and what drew you to this role?

I was drawn to the project by the opportunity to portray a man who had outlived his utility. Connor is the last of a dying breed living in a world that has politically and morally evolved beyond his function. It is a world that men like him helped to build, which no longer holds a place for them to actually live.

I felt an inherent tragedy in Connor. He is a man betrayed by both his county and his lover. To me, that was a powerful psychological and existential combination to explore – anyone who has ever been betrayed can empathise with that. I feel it kind of snapped and solidified his heart. Ultimately, I look at this as a tragic love story – with the volume turned way up.

Tell us about working with Priyanka and how you both explored your characters and scenes together?

I was not actually familiar with Priyanka or her work before the shoot. She was a delight to work with and I was impressed by the passion and commitment that she brought to the role. The physicality that she imbued Bloody Mary with is – in my opinion – second to none. There is a particular scene in which she acts winded after being thrown out a window and it is hands down, the best winded acting I have ever seen. Seriously, it is Sigourney Weaver-level good.

Do you have a favourite pirate film or book in your memory and how did it influence your performance?

Well, I loved the Pirates of the Caribbean movies – loved Geoffrey Rush as Barbosa. Captain Connor is closer aligned to Captain Ahab from Melville’s Moby Dick. Both characters are driven by an unquenchable obsession. I also felt a resonance with Lee Van Cleef from The Good the Bad and the Ugly, a ruthlessly calculating antagonist.

Can you tell us more about the stunt work, fight choreography and combat training you did with the stunt team – were they new skills for you? Were there any scenes which you found particularly challenging action-wise?

I thoroughly enjoyed working with our incredibly talented stunt team headed by Rob Alonso. It has been a long time since I used a blade on a film. I enjoy the form and flow of sword work, I feel it comes quite naturally to me. I am probably one of the few remaining actors that can claim to have been personally trained by Darth Vader (aka Bob Anderson), who I was fortunate enough to work with on The Lord of The Rings. The fight scenes we shot for The Bluff were so physically demanding, both Priyanka and myself really pushed the limits, and both of us sustained our share of knocks along the way .

Is sword fighting more or less intimidating than the fight choreography in The Boys?

The sword fighting was no more or less intimidating than the fight choreography for The Boys – both are basically the same discipline. You need to devote time and energy to rehearse and learn the moves. It is not something you wing. Ultimately, it is an exercise in coordination and trust.

Director Flowers is known for his storytelling. What was your experience working with him and how did he shape your performance?

I loved collaborating with Flowers. He is a brilliant and talented director. As an actor, I greatly appreciated that he always had a clear vision of exactly what he wanted. I believe Flowers has all the elements that comprise a truly great director – he is super chill yet focused, highly collaborative and most importantly, he surrounds himself with fantastic crew, and affords them the space to make the material fly. I would work with him again in a heartbeat. He is such a lovely gentleman.

Did you get to keep any props from the set?

I did actually keep one prop from set. Connor’s knife. I stole it. That is what pirates do.

For other reads on recent entertainment updates, check out the movie review of Hong Kong’s Night King.

 The Sun Malaysia