Episode 80 - Jonathan Eusebio

Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast

There aren't many stunt coordinators and fight choreographers who can say they have helped to change the course of modern day action cinema like Jonathan Eusebio. His work on the 'Bourne' films alone sparked a movement in Hollywood into more realistic, grittier fight sequences, inspired by his background in Filipino martial arts. He took this style into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, shaping the grappling movements of Black Widow (played by Scarlett Johansson), and adding his flair to films like 'Doctor Strange' and 'Black Panther'. However, it is his work on the 'John Wick' series for which he is most revered - an inspiring mix of Bourne's close-range efficiency and the wrestling and judo moves he pursued at Marvel, with more than a hint of 'gun-fu' inspired by one his favourite filmmakers, John Woo. His recent credits - the 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' TV show for Disney+ and 'The Matrix Resurrections' (2021) - show a stunt coordinator operating at the industry's highest levels, commanding the action in some of the world's most popular franchises. Now he is eager to follow his friends and mentors at 87eleven Action Design into directing - people like 87eleven co-founders, filmmakers and martial artists Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, and his stunt buddies J.J. Perry and Sam Hargrave. But after such a trendsetting career, where does he go from here? And how can he continually try to push new boundaries in on-screen action? It's a tall order, but if anyone is up for the challenge, it's Jonathan Eusebio.

LINKS

Jonathan Eusebio on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0262389/

Jonathan Eusebio profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/ProfileJonathanEusebio

'Obi-Wan Kenobi' trailer: https://youtu.be/3Yh_6_zItPU

'The Matrix Resurrection' trailer: https://youtu.be/9ix7TUGVYIo

'The Bourne Identity' pen fight: https://youtu.be/h6cdNtvFGB0

'The Bourne Ultimatum' fight scene - Bourne vs. Desh (Joey Ansah): https://youtu.be/uLt7lXDCHQ0

87eleven Action Design website: https://www.87eleven.net/

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