Hiroki Sumi stars alongside Alexander Nevsky in the Wide West and he also worked with Keanu Reeves on John Wick: Chapter 4. He stopped by to chat with us about working on both films and his favourite action stars.
You play a Sumo champion named Daiki in the new Western “The Wide West”. Can you talk a little bit about the film and how your character fits in?
The Daiki character is a little complicated. I’m on the same team, like a friend, with Ichiro (the Grand Champion), but I’m also kind of a rival to him. I want to reach his rank. So, we are both heroes of the film, but each character has his own feelings, too.
You participated in impressive fights in “The Wide West,” one with another Sumo champion, Ichi, and others with various bad guys. What was it like participating in those fight scenes?
The sumo fight scene with my fellow sumo wrestler, Ichi, was easy, since both of us have years of experience in Pro Sumo.
In some other scenes, we used unusual techniques, like doing the sumo charge, while holding a table. That was a cool experience!
What was it like shooting in Southern California?
I’ve shot many times in Southern California for the past 7 years, including for TV shows, commercials, and more. So, that was nothing new. Shooting in the desert was different, though, considering the heat.
How did you connect with your co-star Alexander Nevsky?
Alexander is very experienced. He was relaxed and friendly to everyone, and made all of us feel comfortable. He showed me that he believed in me. Alexander really took care of everyone on set, and it was a great experience working with him.
What was your biggest challenge making “The Wide West”?
Putting up with the extreme heat all day was not easy. The action scenes were much easier than coping with the weather!
How did you first get into Sumo? How old were you?
I played baseball, judo, and karate as a child. When I was 15 years old, with no experience, I was recruited to enter Pro Sumo.
Which warrior-wisdom quotes have shaped you up to this point and molded you into who you are today?
I like the saying, “If you never attack, you can never win,” which applies to sports, martial arts, and many things in life. It’s like the famous quote by an American athlete, who said “You miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take.”
Who do you most admire in the action genre?
I like actors including Jason Statham, Keanu Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise, Dwayne Johnson, Mel Gibson, Brad Pitt, Jackie Chan, and so many more!
Please give us your brief views on Jackie Chan and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Jackie Chan is such a big star in Hong Kong and globally. Everyone knows him and he visits Japan often. The fact that he does REAL stunts himself is so impressive. Only he and Tom Cruise can do it that way! And I love Arnold in the “Terminator” movies, because, like him, I love riding around on my Harley!
You had the opportunity to work alongside Keanu Reeves in “John Wick: Chapter 4.” What interesting things can you share about making this film?
It was awesome to work with global action stars — guys like Hiroyuki Sanada, Donnie Yen, and Keanu Reeves. Sanada is Japanese like me, so that was cool. Donnie Yen is probably the biggest kung fy name, after Jackie Chan now.
It was a great learning experience watching them: how they focused on their jobs, prepared themselves, and got into character. It was amazing to watch. They are on another level.
Even their action or fighting techniques were special. I learned from seeing them do realistic attacks. For example, Sanada used his katana to make it look like he was killing people, but without putting the other actors in danger. I’m grateful that I could see all this with my own eyes, while getting paid to be part of it!
You played the rival to the main character in the Netflix drama “Sanctuary.” How was the challenge of playing that role, and what makes it so fun to explore more complex characters?
The ‘Shizuuchi’ character was pitiful in many ways, coming from a tragic past where his family were killed. It was complicated for me, because Shizuuchi can not talk (due to trauma). So, I learned to use my eyes, facial expressions, and body movements, to communicate. It was very difficult to develop these skills, but I’m glad that I did. Many viewers cheered for the main ‘Enho’ character, while many others cheered for ‘Shizuuchi’. They were both flawed and struggling characters, striving to do better.
What excites you the most about acting?
Speaking lines! In “John Wick: Chapter 4”, I had almost no dialogue, but in “The Wide West”, I could speak and express more. I want to do more action, too.
Which Hollywood action star would you absolutely love to work with?
I’ve already worked with Keanu Reeves. So, I would really like to work with Tom Cruise!