Moviefone Editorial

Tag: The Transporter: Refueled

  • Actor Ray Stevenson Dies at the Age of 58

    Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) in Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.
    Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    Ray Stevenson, a versatile actor known for genre fare such as ‘Punisher: War Zone’, the first three ‘Thor’ movies, HBO’s ‘Rome’ and much more, has died. He was 58.

    Born George Raymond Stevenson on May 25, 1964, in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, he harbored acting ambitions from an early age and enrolled at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, from where he eventually obtained his graduate degree.

    TV Appearances 

    From there, he kicked off a career in British and European TV, starting with 1993’s ‘A Woman’s Guide to Adultery’, in which he had a supporting role as a journalist. He racked up credits in a number of TV series well known to UK audiences, including ‘Peak Practice’, ‘Holby City’ and ‘The Bill’ (the British equivalent of ‘Law & Order’ where many actors either got their start or have appeared in guest roles).

    Luke Bracey as Rexford G. 'Rex' Lewis / Cobra Commander and Ray Stevenson as Firefly in 2013's 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation.'
    (L to R) Luke Bracey as Rexford G. ‘Rex’ Lewis / Cobra Commander and Ray Stevenson as Firefly in 2013’s ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation.’ Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

    But on the small screen, his true big break was HBO’s ‘Rome’, in which he played the cheery, violent Titus Pollo. It raised his profile, and he began to score bigger parts both on TV and the big screen.

    His TV work in the States also includes ‘Black Sails’, ‘Dexter’ ‘Medici’ and voicing the character of Gar Saxon in both ‘Star Wars Rebels’ and ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’. He’ll be back on our screens in that galaxy far, far away for ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’, in which he plays a different character, the villainous Baylan Skoll.

    Ray Stevenson as Big Ray in the action/thriller film, 'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday.'
    Ray Stevenson as Big Ray in the action/thriller film, ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday,’ a Samuel Goldwyn Films release. Photo courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    Film Work

    On the movie front, he made his debut in 1998’s ‘The Theory of Flight’ opposite Helena Bonham Carter and would go on to make scene-stealing supporting appearances in a number of movies including ‘King Arthur’, ‘Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant’, ‘The Book of Eli’, ‘The Other Guys’, ‘Kill the Irishman’, ‘The Transporter Refueled,’ ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation,’ the ‘Accident Man‘ series, the ‘Divergent’ movies and, more recently, as the scowling, cruel Governor Scott Buxton in ‘RRR’.

    Two roles, though, may stand out on his movie resume: he played the jubilant Volstagg, one of the Warriors Three who stand with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor in the first two movies featuring the Marvel hero (his character is unceremoniously offed in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’.

    And in a rare leading performance, he was chosen by director Lexi Alexander as Frank Castle in ‘Punisher: War Zone’, an underrated adaptation of the Marvel comic book character.

    Alexander was among those quick to pay tribute to the actor.

    https://twitter.com/LexiAlex/status/1660698258480701440

    Though he was sometimes seen as tough, brutal villains on screen, Stevenson is remembered as a warm, kind person by colleagues and those who met him. His passion for his work was infectious and he managed to find the human heart beating in the most nefarious character. Other roles, such as Pollo, let him showcase his natural charm.

    Alongside his completed work on ‘Ahsoka’ Stevenson had been at work on Italian movie ‘Cassino in Ischia’ when he died; that film as well as ‘1242: Gateway to the West’ will join the ‘Star Wars’ show as his final projects.

    Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle / The Punisher in 2008's 'Punisher: War Zone.'
    Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle / The Punisher in 2008’s ‘Punisher: War Zone.’ Photo courtesy of Lionsgate Films.

    Ray Stevenson Movies:

    Buy Ray Stevenson Movies On Amazon

  • Ed Skrein Got Lessons in Kicking Butt for ‘The Transporter: Refueled’

    Ed Skrein had to be a fierce opponent in combat and on the road for the title role in “The Transporter: Refueled.”

    Lucky for him, he had good teachers.

    “That was what was so amazing, working with these guys that are at the top of their game and specialists in their subjects,” he tells Made in Hollywood. “We all have our strengths, it’s important we know our strengths, but surround ourselves with complementary strengths, and we truly did that in this movie.”

    In the action-thriller he takes over for Jason Statham as Frank Martin—a driver-for-hire who transports valuable packages for criminals, but gets entangled in drama along the way.

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  • Ed Skrein Learns ‘Other Side of the Craft’ in ‘The Transporter: Refueled’

    Ed Skrein learned more about cars than he ever imagined in “The Transporter: Refueled.” As driver-for-hire Frank Martin, who transports valuable packages for criminals, he had to spend a lot of time behind the wheel.

    It was an an opportunity that allowed him to unleash his inner car geek.

    “That’s the really interesting part of this job—just to learn the other side of the craft,” Skrein tells Made in Hollywood.

    The British hunk says eight cars were used during filming. “Some were stunt specific cars that had different breaks,” he explains. Referring to the vehicle as his “beautiful co-star,” he adds that they were all the same models—2015 Audi S8.

    Along with his beloved Audi, there were other beauties whom he starred alongside, including French actresses Loan Chabanol and Noémie Lenoir, a former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue stunner.

    Skerein takes over for Jason Statham in the franchise’s fourth installment, in theaters on Friday.

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  • Loan Chabanol Thought Her Performance Looked ‘Ridiculous’

    It’s safe to say moviegoers aren’t expecting Shakespeare in the Park out of “The Transporter: Refueled,” the punch-up, car chase action flick.

    Still, French actress Loan Chabanol was worried that her acting didn’t look convincing enough during an action sequence filmed using green screen CGI wizardry.

    “We had to be sliding from one side to the another and pretending that the car was moving,” she explains to Made in Hollywood. “I was like, ‘I look ridiculous.’”

    The beauty calls the moment a “humbling” experience. She emphasizes: “Very, very humbling.”

    “Everybody’s going to look and nobody’s going to believe me,” Chabanol says she thought of her performance.

    Of course, when filming was over and she was able to see her work on the big screen, she was relieved by the final product. “I was like, ‘wow, well done,’” she adds.

    She stars as Ana opposite Ed Skrein in the title role as Frank Martin—a driver-for-hire who transports valuable packages for criminals.

    “The Transporter: Refueled” hits theaters on Friday.

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  • Ed Skrein Gives Credit to Costars for Impressive Combat Stunts

    Though he performs his own stunts, if Ed Skrein makes a convincing hero in “The Transporter: Refueled,” he’s not taking credit for it.

    “Obviously you can see it’s my face all the time, but I’m nothing without the people surrounding me,” the 32-year-old tells Made in Hollywood. “A punch or a kick cannot look great without their reaction. A lot of it is in the reaction and sound effect.”

    The British star takes over for Jason Statham in the title role as tough courier Frank Martin in the action franchise’s fourth installment. “The Transporter: Refueled” hits theaters on Friday.

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