Ask any action fan who one of the greatest martial artists in the business today is, and Michael Jai White’s name is sure to come up. First making an impression in 1997’s Spawn, White has gone on to portray heroes and villains alike in such action movies as Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing, Blood and Bone, Accident Man, and Triple Threat. White’s latest action film is the upcoming The Commando, landing in theaters and on VOD outlets on Friday.

White portrays former DEA agent James Baker, trying to find some solitude with his family while struggling with PTSD. Unfortunately, he finds himself thrown into the most harrowing situation of all of their lives when a local gang under the leadership of Johnny (Mickey Rourke) arrives to claim the millions stashed in their home. It’ll take everything James has at his disposal to defend his family and fight off the intruders.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

We speak to Michael Jai White on the making of The Commando, filming the movie in New Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a bit about the upcoming spin-off of Black Dynamite, The Outlaw Johnny Black.

Screen Rant: How did you become involved with The Commando, and what was the experience like of making the film during the pandemic?

Michael Jai White: I read the script and really got into it. It was the third movie I’d done during the pandemic, so it was old hat that I’d have to get stuff stuck up my nose every other day. Every production was a little bit different, and it was cool I was in New Mexico at the time. In New Mexico, you couldn’t even tell it was COVID times when you left the set. It was pretty wide open and there was nobody walking around with masks or anything.

What was it like working with your co-stars, such as Jeff Fahey?

Micheal Jai White: Jeff Fahey is amazing. First of all, he’s hilarious and he’s an inspirational person to work with. I also got the chance to work with him again in another movie called Deadzone. 

What were some of the more memorable moments or experiences during the making of The Commando for you?

Michael Jai White: I liked being in New Mexico. It’s one of my favorite places in the United States. I fell in love with New Mexico when I was sixteen years old and traveled across the country and made friends that I have to this day. I really enjoyed making the movie there, and to me it was a bed that was already made of happiness. Some of the most friendly people in the United States I think are in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a blast.

So, what really stood out to you about The Commando as far as the story and your role as James Baker?

Michael Jai White: I thought the responsibility of playing a character who is suffering from PTSD was a very interesting thing. It was a good thing that you have this character who is a badass and who is going to get help for his condition. I hope that would inspire other people to seek remedies outside themselves for their mental health.

What were some of your favorite scenes to do in The Commando?

Michael Jai White: Well, I really enjoy doing action stuff. It’s something I think I’m uniquely qualified for, and it’s fun. It’s like I get to work out on-screen.

Were there any injuries doing the action scenes?

Michael Jai White: Not during the making of the movie, but I had a pretty badly sprained ankle going into it. We tried to make use of it where in one of the first fight scenes I’m in, I get cut by a knife on the leg. So, if my limp shows up, you know why it’s there!

Going back to what you mentioned about the PTSD side of your character, is that something you feel is one of the big thematic focuses viewers should take from The Commando?

Michael Jai White: Yeah, I mean, one of the natures of PTSD is most people don’t know you have it. It made me even realize to what degree I had it growing up. I’ve been on my own since I was fourteen, and I’ve seen things you normally see in movies. You never know what event is going to be replayed in your mind over and over that affects you, so it’s all kind of individual circumstance and an event may affect you differently than it affects others.

So, what was it like working with the director of The Commando, Asif Akbar? 

Michael Jai White: Asif was great, he’s got a great balance between the art and reality. When someone has that, you want to be shoulder to shoulder with them, and I think that this is the first of a number of things I’ll probably be doing with him in the future.

You also have the Black Dynamite spin-off The Outlaw Johnny Black on the way. What can you share about when that will be coming out?

Michael Jai White: Johnny Black, there’s no movie like it. It’s a faith-based, Blaxploitation Western drama action comedy, so there’s no fear of it being anything that you’ve seen. It’ll be an experience for everyone, and we’re trying to find our slot for bringing it to the audience in 2022. I directed, wrote, starred, produced, and we’ve got people like Michael Madsen, Jill Scott, Russell Peters, Glynn Turman, it’s an amazing cast.

What other projects do you have coming up aside from The Commando and The Outlaw Johnny Black?

Michael Jai White: There’s Deadzone, where I worked again with Jeff Fahey, and Come Out Fighting, which is a World War II drama. I’ve got a TV series I just completed coming out called Kingdom Business, and also an action movie called Nogales that I shot in Mexico.

The Commando arrives in theaters and VOD on January 7.

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About The Author


Brad Curran
(726 Articles Published)

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Growing up, Brad developed an innate love of movies and storytelling, and was instantly enamored with the world of adventure while following the exploits of Indiana Jones, Japanese kaiju, and superheroes. Today, Brad channels his thoughts on all manner of movies, from comic book films, sci-fi thrillers, comedies, and everything in between through his writings on Screen Rant. Brad also offers philosophical musings on martial arts and the filmographies of everyone from Jackie Chan to Donnie Yen on Kung Fu Kingdom, where he’s also had the privilege of interviewing many of the world’s great stunt professionals, and hearing plenty of gripping stories on injuries incurred in their line of work and the intricacies of designing the acts of death defiance he first thrilled to as a youngster. When he’s not writing, Brad enjoys going on a ride with the latest action hit or Netflix original, though he’s also known to just pop in “The Room” from time to time. Follow Brad on Twitter @BradCurran.

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