To celebrate the February 4 release of Death Race: Inferno on Blu-ray and DVD, read our exclusive interview with Luke Goss.
Starring Luke Goss, Danny Trejo, Ving Rhames and Tanit Pheonix, Death Race: Inferno is the third film in the sci-fi action series.
In this installation, repentant convict Carl Lucas (Luke Goss) — aka Frankenstein— is a legendary driver in the brutal prison blood sport known as Death Race. Only one victory away from winning freedom, Lucas is plunged into his most vicious competition yet: the first ever Desert Death Race.Through South Africa’s infernal Kalahari Desert, Lucas is pitted against ruthless adversaries and powerful forces at work behind the scenes to ensure his defeat.
Luke, what do you most enjoy about doing the Death Race movies?
It is a combination of working with [director] Roel Reine, who has become a dear friend, which gives us a special understanding of each other — also working with Danny Trejo and continuing the same story. The movies are getting better too. This third one, I think, is the best of the bunch and Roel and I are interested in seeing the movies evolve and become more fun — and the studio is behind us. As you step into it, everybody is trying to make a fun project and something that is fun to watch. It is nice to be a part of that.
What were the biggest challenges this time round?
Death Race 3 (2013) is an action movie but I wanted to make the character a bit more stoic. I wanted him to be slightly larger-than-life, a sort of super-antihero or something.
How much of the stunt work do you do yourself?
Pretty much all of it, but I paid a price for not having a stunt double. There were a few hits on the head but I guess that is part and parcel of doing an action film. I did most of the stunts on the second film and on a lot of movies I do my own now because it means the camera can get right in there. The audience does not have to suspend its disbelief and viewers can enjoy the action more. I think the audience deserves that. If you cannot do stunts then you cannot, but I always try and do my own.
Do you ever say no to a stunt?
As I get older I think ‘That might hurt’ or ‘it might jeopardise the film because if I get injured we cannot continue’. In Death Race 3 I roll a two-and-a-half ton truck and that was really harrowing. I was genuinely afraid. As the car rolled over for the first time just the noise and the violence of it was really scary. I have also done 30ft falls.
What has been the coolest action scene you have done so far?
When I did Blood Out (2011) I was on the roof of a car, with seven city blocks blocked off, and the stunt guy was driving and swerving at 50mph. That was exhilarating but also quite scary. You are in character and you are doing the scene but you have moments where you think ‘What am I doing up here?’ I was attached to the roof but they give you room to slide around. You cannot help but realise the danger of it. In Death Race 2 (2010) we locked off the main freeway in Cape Town and had all of these stunt vehicles. I had two camera rigs on the $300,000 vehicle I was driving and I was on my own in the car weaving through traffic. That was kind of a fun moment, with all the camera crews and helicopters. On this one it is more of the same but in the desert.
You made your name in music but was acting always part of the plan for you?
It was not actually. When I did my first play in Hornchurch, I immediately understood the process and also the camaraderie of my fellow cast members. It was more collaborative and did not feel as isolated; in music it is like a one or two link chain but with acting there are hundreds if not thousands of people involved in one project. You are just one of the links in the chain and it feels nice to have that kind of responsibility. What I do for a living now is hugely collaborative and with each movie I make I feel blessed to be a part of it.
Who are your acting idols?
Clint Eastwood is the epitome of coolness. He is also so gifted and talented on so many levels as an actor and director. I have also always been a fan of Steve McQueen, Morgan Freeman is a beautiful actor, and Anthony Hopkins is flawless. There are lots of actors out there I admire and actresses too, like Meryl Streep.
Who would you most like to work with?
Eastwood for sure. I have been a fan of his since I was a boy. I remember my stepfather getting me into spaghetti westerns as a kid and he had such an impact. He is the ultimate antihero in the history of film and as a director he is such a talent.
Death Race: Inferno is out on Blu-ray and DVD on February 4.
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