South Africa has a reputation as being a drawcard for foreign film-makers and TV producers. Not so long ago, scenes from the current season of Strike Back were filmed here and Michael Bay's Black Sails was shot on specially constructed sets in the Mother City.
And now we have Baywatch's Gregory J Bonann exploiting the scenic backdrops of Camps Bay, Simon's Town and Hout Bay to recreate Malibu for his next major TV outing, SAF3.
It was another gruelling day on set when I stole Dolph Lundgren away for a chat. As intimidating as he is in his movies - especially when he is playing a real badass - Lundgren was as surprisingly relaxed and unassuming.
Cast in the lead role as John Eriksson, a character who is actually six years his junior, he is a lifeguard and fire-fighter in Malibu, a Navy Seal Reservist and also the leader of his specialised rescue team.
While his movies have seen him do an array of accents, the Stockholm-born Swedish actor has adjusted perfectly to the American accent in Hollywood just as our Charlize Theron, who fast-shed that Benoni patois when fame came knocking on her door.
He tells me this is his third visit to South Africa: I was here twice - but for different projects. In the Eighties - between '86 and '87 - I was here to do Red Scorpion, and then in '97, I came back to do Sweepers.
When viewers see him in SAF3 (pronounced safe ), the actor is absolutely the embodiment of physical fitness.
He points out that staying in top form has always been a lifestyle cornerstone. Aside from it being directly tied to his physically demanding roles, it has been a state of being.
Of his workout regimen, Lundgren says: I started off in ice hockey, then martial arts. I have the basic groundwork . I do keep it up all the time because of my job. I do weight training, martial arts, balancing and stretching as I get a bit older. And a bit of swimming and cross training. It is kind of a mix of different things.
Having solidified his career in movies, I asked him what baited him into giving the nod to this TV series, which he'll be filming until about the middle of next month.
The actor shares: It was the script, initially. I thought it was a good character. This is a guy who is the leader of the unit and has a lot of personal problems.
I think it shows more of a normal guy than the superhero people known me as.
One other reason: I was thinking TV is a bit more long-term. You work for a period of time, he adds.
In keeping with the same train of thought, he continues: I think some of the writing in film used to be superior to television. Now it is turning around. It used to be about the effect and spectacle. I think television has good writing and good characters.
Lundgren says he has been in Cape Town since August. Shortly after his arrival he had to leave for Bulgaria to shoot his scenes for The Expendables 3.
As for his fallible leader character, he comments: I have probably played the action roles for too long. You start to get caught in clich s. You play it anxious and irritable and upset. And some- times you don't feel like you're in character inside.
A lot of the movies, you say three words and fire 5 000 bullets and blow out a tank. Here, it is more like 5 00 words and you shoot three people.
For me, it has been like an acting lab a bit. And it has been a good experience.
Having explored the full range of action scenarios, I asked him to shed light on the plethora of action scenes in the TV series.
Well, I've done pretty much everything. Although, I haven't done fire stunts. Diving was new. Mostly, it is character-driven stuff, he says.
While work has been monopolising his time, Lundgren stole gap periods in between to play the tourist.
He shares: My two daughters came here, one from Sweden and the other from Spain. We went shark diving and on a safari tour where we saw the Big Five. I haven't been to the wine country yet.
Lundgren admits that he enjoyed working with the mixed pool of international and local actors. He notes, with admirable humility: I think the people down here are quite friendly and nice. I think they are very good as well. Just because I am a Hollywood actor doesn't mean I'm a better actor. You have to realise, they are all working actors.
SAF3 is a heart-warming series, where the trials and tribulations of the key characters, married with dedication to their jobs, forms the foundation of the drama.
On his forthcoming movie, The Expendables 3, Lundgren reveals: It is a bigger and better version. We are adding Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford and Wesley Snipes. Now there is a young team trying to take over
In case you think the actor is going to take a sabbatical after the 20-episode series wraps next month, think again.
I'm about to go to Thailand. I am co-starring and producing Skin Trade, a movie I co-wrote. It is about human trafficking, he says.
Looks like Lundgren is on a Herculean mission to do it all. And, so far, he is on a triumphant streak!
http://www.iol.co.za
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South Africa has a reputation as being a drawcard for foreign film-makers and TV producers. Not so long ago, scenes from the current season of Strike Back were filmed here and Michael Bay's Black Sails was shot on specially constructed sets in the Mother City.
