Caution: This write-up discloses some light spoilers for the movie “Den of Thieves 2: Panthera,” currently showing in cinemas.
O’Shea Jackson Jr., with his diverse passions, has placed a significant wager on “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” which is currently showing at cinemas under the banner of Lionsgate.
The 2018 film, titled “Den of Thieves,” starring Gerard Butler as Big Nick and Jake Johnson as Donnie, was a surprise success. In the upcoming sequel, Big Nick abandons his law enforcement role to join forces with Donnie and a fresh team for an international heist. There are numerous shootouts and action sequences, all while Butler’s friendship with Johnson helps drive the story forward.
Personally, as a cinephile, I view these films as the foundation for a potential franchise that could rival titans such as the “Fast & Furious” series. In an exclusive interview with EbMaster, I discussed the thrill and apprehension of performing high-octane stunts, the possible directions a “Thieves” series might take, and why I’m eager to extend my craft into anime and video games.
There’s so much action in this movie. What kind of tactical training did you go through ahead of time?
For several weeks, my trainer Harley Pasternak put me through a rigorous workout regimen. In films, it’s essential to have a well-built upper body (chest, shoulders, and arms). Alongside this physical training, we also underwent tactical training since our director, Christian Gudegast, is meticulous about details. Both Big Nick and Donnie have backgrounds in law enforcement and the military, respectively, so they understand the importance of being prepared for combat situations. This means paying attention to minor details, such as maintaining formation and ensuring that every movement counts. On our days off from filming, we would practice perfecting these movements and our stances, whether we were holding a weapon or simply adjusting our seating positions. If we were performing tactical driving scenes, this included positioning ourselves correctly in relation to the steering wheel and mirrors. I believe it’s this attention to detail that makes the film feel so authentic, as if we truly know what we’re doing.
With all that training, how much of your own stunt work were you able to do on this film?
I found it rather unusual to say ‘able’ in this context because, let me tell you, I didn’t feel like laughing when I read it. You see, when I first got the script, it said we’d be tossed into the ocean – either a tank or a pool. But instead, we hopped on a boat and sailed 20 minutes out into the open sea. Yes, we were genuinely thrown in. Another day found me dangling from an elevator – that wasn’t part of my life plan! Carrying bags filled with merchandise or equipment while climbing back up ropes was grueling due to the meticulous attention required. If you’re wearing something plastic on camera, it swings differently than something heavy and metal. There were many moments when I thought we could cut corners, but in filmmaking, you do things that aren’t typical in everyday life. At the end of the day, it was all about honing skills for a hypothetical zombie apocalypse, I suppose. It was safe, loads of fun with fantastic people who prioritized my safety: ‘Keep Shae safe’ was their top priority!” [Laughs]
Was there one stunt or maneuver that you were especially proud to nail?
To ensure safety for actors O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Gerard Butler during a car accident scene, we opted to stage a controlled simulation instead of an actual crash. We did this by placing the Porsche Taycan on a hydraulic arm and using an inverted claw mechanism similar to those found in toy vending machines. The setup was designed to swing gently at a low speed before abruptly stopping, mimicking the impact of a real car collision.
During our practice sessions, Gerard, who’s a producer, glanced at me and commented, “It didn’t seem like a car crash, did it?” Since we’re friends, I replied, “Not really.” We then asked the technician handling the mechanism, “Can you crank it up a bit more?” The machine operates based on pressure per square inch, and he suggested increasing it to five. Gerard and I both agreed, “Five sounds good.” Just before we started, we looked at each other and admitted, “We have no clue about PSI…”, followed by “action!” and then it crashed hard enough to get the desired take. I bumped my head, and he hit his knee, making the scene convincing.
You learn more about both Donnie and Big Nick in this movie. How did you develop who Donnie was beyond the script?
In our follow-up movie, we’ve got a unique twist compared to the original: an entirely new dynamic is at play. Although fans will recognize familiar characters, they’ll also encounter altered versions of these characters. When Donnie appeared on screen, it was clear to me that the audience recognized him as a mastermind who could pull off a heist at the Los Angeles Federal Reserve without getting caught. Therefore, I aimed to portray this character as meticulous, calculating, and determined, because one mistake could mean game over for him. Rather than playing the timid, uncertain character from the first film, I chose to depict the assertive alpha he could be instead.
As a film enthusiast, I often find inspiration by studying the performances of great leaders, and lately, I’ve been drawn to individuals like Kobe Bryant and Jon Jones. Their focus and determination are unmatched, traits that are crucial for a leader, especially when you witness Jon Jones in the heat of combat within the Octagon. The same intensity is visible in Kobe at the first tip-off, his eyes locked, every blink deliberate. You can see the Mamba’s fierce concentration. This was the mindset I needed to embody for this new portrayal of Donnie, until, as usual, Gerard Butler added a curveball to my plans.
At the end of the movie, things seem wide open for a “Den of Thieves 3.” As an actor and producer on this film, where would you like your character and the franchise to go from here?
I want to be upfront about this: I’m aiming to emulate Vin Diesel in my role, as Ryan Reynolds once said, I wish to collaborate with Gerard until he reaches 90. To put it simply, I really enjoy working on these projects and I feel incredibly grateful to Christian, Gerard, and producer Tucker Tooley because I can’t fully express how much they mean to me. After my role in “Straight Outta Compton,” I took a year off from work due to industry stereotypes that I could only play the father roles. However, Christian, Tucker, and Gerard took a risk on me, offering me opportunities when other studios weren’t even presenting me with scripts. This team feels like family to me. While I am eager to take part in more films, we must avoid compromising the unique charm of this project that captured audiences’ hearts from the beginning. It took us six or seven years to bring this movie to life, and I hope the next one doesn’t take as long. Deep down, we won’t move forward unless it feels right and maintains the magic that initially made the franchise popular.
Beyond “Thieves,” you’ve done drama, comedy, “Star Wars” and fought both Godzilla and Cocaine Bear. What are some other projects you’d like to tackle?
For quite a while now, I’ve been striving to bring a Godzilla anime to life. I’ve got my heart set on voiceover work. My passion lies in video games, so I aim to be part of the gaming industry in some form, whether it’s motion capture, voice acting, or anything else that comes my way. At this point, though, I believe I’ll be returning to independent projects. I’ve always told my team that our next venture should be a significant departure from our last. I don’t shy away from indie projects due to films like “Ingrid Goes West” and “Just Mercy.” The independent scene is where an actor can hone their craft. Additionally, I host a wrestling podcast called “No-Contest Wrestling,” which is part of the Rich Eisen Podcast Network. The people at WWE have been gracious enough to let us interview some superstars. Furthermore, being a dad means that I watch “Bluey” daily.
Watch the “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” trailer below.
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2025-01-11 01:16