Black Lotus, the film in which Rico Verhoeven plays his first leading role, can be seen in cinemas from Thursday. The kickboxing world champion anxiously awaits the reaction of the public. NU.nl spoke to him about his acting ambitions and his role models in Hollywood.
Verhoeven has had a successful career in martial arts for about twenty years. Since 2013 he can call himself the undefeated kickboxing world champion in the heavyweight category. But the top athlete has been dreaming of an acting career for many years. After a few small roles, he now has his first leading role in international film Black Lotus.
It takes self-confidence, discipline and perseverance to reach the highest level in a sport. Those same qualities come in handy with acting ambitions. “In everything I do, I give 100 percent. I go for the best result and the best version of myself,” says Verhoeven. He is very critical of himself. “You could say I’m a perfectionist.”
His goal is to break through in Hollywood. To increase his chances, he takes lessons in English, acting and stunts. Verhoeven is absolutely thrilled to become the next Jean-Claude Van Damme. “I love how Van Damme brought martial arts into the entertainment world.”
Verhoeven met the Belgian actor and producer on the set of Kickboxer: Retaliation. In that action movie, Verhoeven played a boxer. “We immediately had a good click. Since the collaboration, he calls to ask about my matches.”
‘I know I can play more than a fighter’
Verhoeven previously played small roles in Dutch productions. He was seen as a cage fighter (Bon Bini Holland 3), a bodyguard (Undercover), a kickboxer (fighter heart) and now a special forces officer. Isn’t the kickboxer afraid of getting the same kind of role over and over again? “Of course I have a certain appearance and reputation. Then the link with certain roles is made easy. But I know that I can play more than a fighter,” says Verhoeven. “I think a role in a comedy film would also suit me.”
A role model is Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. “He can be seen in so many different roles. I want that too.” Verhoeven met Johnson several times. It would have been close if the kickboxing world champion had played a small role in it Red Noticenext to his idol.
“Director Rawson Marshall Thurber sent me a message asking if I was interested in a small role in the film,” says Verhoeven. “It was a production with Johnson and Ryan Reynolds, so I was immediately very enthusiastic. But the shooting of my scene was supposed to take place two weeks later. Unfortunately, it turned out to be impossible to arrange a visa for the United States in time.”
That was not the first time that Verhoeven saw a great acting opportunity slip through his fingers. At the invitation of Sylvester Stallone, he auditioned for the role of Viktor Drago in the film Creed II. But Stallone turned him down: he thought Verhoeven was too handsome for the role. “I didn’t live up to the picture they had in mind. That hurt, because I really wanted that role. But I believe everything happens for a reason.”
Waar gaat Black Lotus over?
Special forces-officier Matteo Donner (Verhoeven) zwerft de wereld rond na het overlijden van zijn beste vriend tijdens een gezamenlijke missie. Terug in Amsterdam belandt hij tussen explosies, rondvliegende kogels en crashende auto’s in een eenmansoorlog in de straten van de stad. Donner heeft daarbij maar één doel: het ontvoerde dochtertje van zijn gestorven vriend redden.
“Now that I’ve tasted acting, I want more”
In any case, the encounters with major Hollywood stars provide Verhoeven with interesting advice. For example, Mark Wahlberg urged him to take his time when reciting his text. “Then you are in the picture longer,” said Wahlberg. The Transporteractor Jason Statham shared another wise lesson: “Always accept a role on the condition that you don’t die so you can return in any sequel.”
Verhoeven does not always have to go abroad for good advice. “Just dare to be ugly on screen”, actor Frank Lammers advised him. “That’s a lot easier for him than for me,” jokes Verhoeven.
The world champion wants to combine his sports career with a career outside the ring in the coming years, even if that is sometimes quite a challenge. “I don’t know exactly when yet, but at some point I want to fully focus on acting. It is my new passion and I would like to continue to do so for a long time,” says Verhoeven. “I’ve often heard stories about long shooting days and the many hours on a film set. But I loved every second of it and now that I’ve tasted it, I want more.”
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Black Lotus, directed by Todor Chapkanov, can be seen in Dutch cinemas from April 13.
