Keanu Reeves, Harrison Ford, Steven Seagal, Chuck Norris, Tommy Lee Jones… he directed them all. Andrew Davis, honored at the Reims Polar Festival, is a master of action cinema. His films allowed him to work with the cream of Hollywood actors.
“I chose some and others were imposed on me in order to be able to set up the projects, but I think I was lucky. Today, I would love to be able to work with Robert Downey Jr.,” he confides. The 77-year-old filmmaker returned, to 20 minuteson those who marked him the most.
Steven Seagall: Nico (1988) and Trap on the high seas (1992)
The actor made his debut in Nico where he was a strong-headed cop in Chicago before meeting up with Andrew Davis to Trap on the high seasa huge success where he plays a cook, a martial arts ace facing terrorists.
“ “I made Nico as a favor to agent Michael Ovitz, whose martial arts teacher was Steven Seagal. Seagal was not a great actor but he had presence and knew how to fight. He could have had a great career if he hadn’t gotten a big head and ruined everything out of arrogance. It is pathetic. » »
Harrison Ford: The fugitive (1993)
He played a doctor unjustly accused of murdering his wife and pursued by a ruthless marshal played by Tommy Lee Jones.
“ “Harrison Ford is not the type of comedian you manage. You just need to build a conducive environment around it. He has a very sure instinct to help you build the character. He knows how to make him endearing, which was all the more complex as he had little dialogue. » »
Chuck Norris: Bad times for a cop (1985)
He is impressive in the role of a police officer who must arrest a formidable drug trafficker.
“ “Very easy-going, friendly. He was delighted to be surrounded by good actors. He was very professional in the action scenes and did his best to create emotions. I have fond memories of it even though we never worked together again. » »
Tommy Lee Jones: Operation Twilight (1989), Trap on the high seas (1992), The fugitive (1993)
He’s the villain in three Andrew Davis films. He is particularly disturbing when he tracks down Harrison Ford in The fugitive.
“He’s a force of nature. I owe part of my career to him because we made three films together. Working with him is like being a musician in an orchestra: you move forward together to interpret the score in the best possible way. He’s full of ideas. His talent is immense. »
Keanu Reeves: Pursuit (1996)
He played a scientist on the run suspected of killing his mentor in this thriller.
“He was very gentle, very attentive, and I admit to being surprised by the rest of his career. The violence of his character in the John Wick saga bothers me because it is too extreme and the characters don’t really have a human dimension. It’s very surprising because Keanu is the opposite in life. »