Martial arts sequences in films are often impressive, but they take a lot of work behind the scenes, with a few actors putting in the work to learn martial arts to pull off such scenes. Many of the iconic martial arts films and scenes that come to mind are carried out by martial arts legends like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jean-Claude Van Damme, but these actors had already trained in martial arts years before they got their start in films.
Other actors such as Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, and Michelle Yeoh learned martial arts in preparation for a particular project, with only a few continuing to be known for their other martial arts films after the fact. The commitment to the physicality that comes with a martial arts role isn’t always necessary. Still, it adds an appreciated layer to the actor’s performance, improving the overall believability of the film’s fight scenes.
10
Kevin James
Trained with professionals for Here Comes the Boom
Starting his career as a stand-up comedian and first earning attention for his role in the CBS sitcom The King of Queens, Kevin James isn’t exactly known for action roles. However, the mixed martial arts comedy Here Comes the Boom allowed James to train for his role as a biology teacher turned MMA fighter. The film is still largely comedic, and the action scenes aren’t necessarily demanding.
During a 2012 interview with ESPN, James expressed his love for mixed martial arts and his appreciation for the hard work the trained athletes put themselves through. James’ love for the full-contact sport is apparent in his performance and decision to carry out his own stunts. In the same interview, James explains that he trained with UFC fighters every chance he got in between stand-up performances and press tours.
9
John Cusack
Trained in kickboxing for Say Anything…
When one thinks of John Cusack, martial arts doesn’t immediately come to mind. Cusack is best known for his rom-com roles and coming-of-age films like Say Anything… and Better Off Dead, which depict the actor as a “guy-next-door.” However, in preparation for Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything…, in which Cusack plays Lloyd Dobler, the actor trained in kickboxing. The character doesn’t demand as much physical work as other martial arts roles, but Cusack’s commitment to the part is commendable.
Cusack began his training with famed kickboxer and martial arts choreographer Benny Urquidez. Throughout his career, Urquidez has starred in a few notable films with minor roles, including the Jackie Chan-led Wheels on Meals and Road House starring Patrick Swayze. Urquidez also starred alongside Cusack a decade after their training for Say Anything…, acting as a hitman after Cusack’s character in Grosse Pointe Blank. The two have continued training with each other for over 20 years.
8
Jessica Alba
Used her learned skills from Dark Angel for future action films
Before her breakthrough in film with movies like Honey and Fantastic Four, Jessica Alba gained attention for her leading role in the Fox series, Dark Angel. In the show, Alba played Max Guevara, a supersoldier on the run from the government following her escape from a military facility. Alba took the preparation for the role seriously as the actor trained in martial arts and gymnastics, and she even learned how to ride a motorcycle.
Such training early on in her career proved to be beneficial later on, as Alba would return to the action genre with films like Mechanic: Resurrection and Trigger Warning. While the films received mostly negative reviews from critics, Alba’s physical performance is still impressive. In preparation for Trigger Warning, Alba relied on her learned martial arts skills from Dark Angel and additionally picked up knife training as well (via Boston Herald).
7
Maggie Q
Learned martial arts with the help of Jackie Chan
Despite being largely associated with martial arts films, several actors have had no formal martial arts training, including Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Q. Instead, Q has picked up skills on various action film sets and through her collaboration with Jackie Chan. Known best for his martial arts skills and his commitment to stunt work, Chan met Q early in her career in Hong Kong.
Chan saw the potential for Q, who at the time was working as a model, to be an action star. During their time training together, Q learned the importance of performing her own stunts, and it’s something she’d continue to do for the remainder of her career. Q is best known for playing the titular role in the 2010 series Nikita and more recently for starring in the action film The Protégé alongside Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson.
6
Scarlett Johansson
Trained in mixed martial arts for The Avengers
Though she’s well-known for films like Lost in Translation and Marriage Story, the role that provided Scarlett Johansson with worldwide fame was Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow, in the MCU. Throughout her career, Johansson has appeared in a handful of action films, but it’s her Marvel role that allowed her to first explore the world of martial arts. Johansson’s first appearance in the MCU was in Iron Man 2, where the actor engaged in typical strength training to get in shape.
A few years later, to prepare for the stunts in The Avengers, Johansson worked with her stunt double and trained in mixed martial arts (via TODAY). The character of Black Widow is skilled in various martial arts disciplines, with Johansson’s behind-the-scenes training helping to bring to life the celebrated character’s fighting skills to the Marvel films.
5
Michelle Yeoh
Learned martial arts on various action film sets.
Throughout her filmography, Michelle Yeoh has some impressive martial arts scenes, and it’s a sub-genre of film the actor has become highly associated with. However, Yeoh has never had formal martial arts training like the other actors mentioned. Instead, Yeoh picked up martial arts on various sets as the beginning of her career was largely defined by action and martial arts films. Yeoh’s dance experience from a young age allowed her to easily pick up such movements and perform her own stunts without worry of being hurt.
Yeoh’s first two films saw her in smaller roles, but Yes, Madam, her third film, was when she finally led an action film. As Senior Inspector Ng, Yeoh showed off her physical strength and handled the fight choreography with ease, as she’s continued to do in her film career. Some of Yeoh’s biggest martial arts films include Wing Chun, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Everything Everywhere All at Once.
4
Christian Bale
Learned Wing Chun and the Keysi Fighting Method for Batman Begins
Fight scenes in Batman movies can get intense, with The Dark Knight Trilogy having some of the most memorable moments of action. Christian Bale leads the trilogy of films as the titular superhero, making his debut in Batman Begins. In preparation for the role, Bale went through an impressive physical transformation. Having built muscle and gained weight following a previous role, Bale began learning Wing Chun. The martial arts style prioritizes hand-to-hand combat and quick punches.
The fight choreographers for the film, Justo Dieguez and Andy Norman, also implemented the Spanish Keysi Fighting Method, which became better known following its use in the film. The fighting method was used once again in The Dark Knight but was altered by the time filming began for The Dark Knight Rises to better accommodate the character’s arc and Bale’s fighting abilities.
3
Wesley Snipes
Furthered his martial arts skills with Blade
An exception among the other actors listed, Wesley Snipes has had martial arts training since he was 12 years old. Snipes has picked up kickboxing, kung fu, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu throughout the years. However, as he began to establish himself as an action star, Snipes was able to further develop his martial arts skills, learning new styles with every project. One of Snipes’ most famous action roles is in the dark superhero film Blade.
In Blade, Snipes plays the titular character, a vampire hunter and skilled martial artist. The Blade movies combined elements of horror and action genres, setting them apart from other superhero movies before it. The impressive fight scenes differentiated the film from others as well, with Snipes’ prior experience in martial arts allowing the creativity and intensity of the choreography to be heightened to its fullest extent.
2
Tom Hardy
Learned jiu-jitsu in preparation for Warrior
Tom Hardy’s lengthy filmography shows the actor isn’t afraid to explore a variety of genres. The martial arts film Warrior is a standout in Hardy’s career, providing him with a stable path on his rise to fame. Starring alongside Joel Edgerton, Hardy portrays Tommy Conlon, a U.S. Marine who enters an MMA contest. When Tommy discovers one of his opponents will be his brother (Edgerton), the two must work through their fractured relationship.
Hardy underwent extensive training in preparation for the role and continued building upon his martial arts skills after wrapping the film. Hardy continues to practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu, winning a handful of competitions over the years and recently being promoted to a purple belt. The actor is also an ambassador for the REORG Foundation, which gives military personnel the chance to learn martial arts as part of their physical and mental recovery (via TODAY).
1
Keanu Reeves
Trained with Yuen Woo-ping for The Matrix
The Wachowskis’ The Matrix is highly influenced by Hong Kong cinema and the work of Chinese martial arts choreographers, so it’s only fitting that its stars got involved in the action and learned martial arts as well. To be prepared for the amount of wire-fu in the film, Keanu Reeves, along with his cast mates, trained with legendary martial arts choreographer and director Yuen Woo-ping. Adapting to each actor’s physical strength and abilities, Yuen helped develop their unique fighting style.
Preparation for The Matrix was extensive and often intense, but Reeves insisted on working through his surgery recovery and continuing to train. The Matrix‘s impressive filming techniques and inspired fight sequences made the film highly influential in the action genre. Taking on the role of the titular character in the John Wick film series in recent years, Reeves’ fighting style has changed but remains just as dynamic and impressive.