“If one of my stunt people or the director of photography has an idea that they think I should listen to, I will listen to it. Then if we follow it or we don’t, it’s not about me, and it’s not about them, it’s about the sequence.”
For the second of our four live podcasts – co-hosted by the Life of Action author, Mike Fury – we welcome back the British stunt coordinator and former Hong Kong stuntman Jude Poyer. Jude’s first appearance was on Episode 48 back in 2019 – now, in 2025, he is the action director behind Xavier Gens’ violent French brawler, Farang (aka Mayhem!), and Gareth Evans‘ lauded co-collaborator, having worked with The Raid director on his landmark UK crime series, Gangs of London, and the eagerly-awaited Netflix production, Havoc, starring Tom Hardy.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Jude unveils his secret to coordinating a great action sequence, what it feels like to be kicked in the face by Yuen Biao, the difference between working in Hong Kong and the UK, and why he thinks Gareth Evans might be one of the best action filmmakers working in the industry today.
This episode was recorded live at the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford, UK, on 12 November 2024, following a screening of the crazy Hong Kong superhero film, The Heroic Trio (1993), directed by Johnnie To, produced by Tony Ching Siu-tung, and starring Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui and Maggie Cheung. Screening as part of the British Film Institute’s Art of Action season – in association with the Independent Cinema Office and Film Hub South East – we also discuss the film and its impact, as well as sharing our thoughts on the lasting legacy of the ‘golden age’ of Hong Kong action cinema.
For all the latest Jude Poyer news and information, follow him on Instagram, X and Facebook, and visit reelpowerstunts.com. For a full list of Jude’s film credits, visit IMDb. For all the latest Mike Fury news, follow Mike on Instagram and visit his website, mikefury.net.
The Not So Heroic Trio: (from left) Mike Fury, Jude Poyer and Ben Johnson at the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford, UK
