T
div>Twentieth Century Fox’s upcoming action-comedy film Stuber pits Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista against rising Indonesian actor star Iko Uwais in a deadly cat-and-mouse game around Los Angeles.
Iko plays the film’s main villain, famed criminal Oka Tedjo, which the actor claimed to be a unique experience.
“The movie marked the first time I drastically changed my appearance for a role. It’s such a departure from the previous movies I’ve been involved in, where I basically just look like my everyday self,” he said during a press conference on Monday.
He went on to say he had to dye his hair blond to bring the mischievous Tedjo to life. However, he said his commitment to the role had landed him in the hospital, but not for stunt-related injuries.
“To achieve the look seen in the movie, I had to bleach my hair a few times before dying it blond. I never thought the process would bring me severe migraine,” Iko said.
He added that the doctor told him the headache was due to injured nerves on his scalp. Consequently, Iko had to take painkillers every day for two weeks on the set to dull the migraine.
“That’s the thing about being part of a Hollywood production. You always have to give your best performance, no matter the odds,” he added.
Among the lessons he learned from his experience with a Hollywood crew, he said time management was the most valuable one. The sheer professionalism of every crew member in Los Angeles had also inspired him to become a more reliable asset of any film production, he added.
“I had the honor of working with a crew that was very mindful of the schedule. Everyone was very strict about time management; no one was required to do any overtime. We made sure that we stuck to the schedule and it all worked out,” Iko said.
His part in Stuber is the latest in a resumé chock-full of action roles that require complex physical stunts.
Previously, Iko became an international sensation for his leading role in Gareth Evans’ The Raid films, as well as supporting roles in several major Hollywood blockbusters including JJ Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Peter Berg’s Mile 22.
He said he looked forward to expanding his acting range by taking on a dramatic role.
“It will definitely be a good challenge for me. I’m open to any opportunity as long as the movie boasts a winning combination of compelling story and character,” Iko said.
Directed by Michael Dowse, Stuber will hit cinemas on July 24.
Iko Uwais during the premiere of 'Stuber' in South Jakarta on Monday. (JP/Rizki Fachriansyah)
