Actor and martial artist Xie Miao (Eye for an Eye series; Ip Man: The Awakening) is our guest on EoM Presents as we discuss his leading role in The Furious. In this conversation, EoM Senior Interviewer Thomas Manning talks with Miao through a translator as the action star reflects on outrunning the camera crew in a footchase scene. Plus, he talks about a valuable reminder from director Kenji Tanigaki: “It’s okay to take a rest.”

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Thomas Manning: The action in this movie is magnificent, but it all starts with our connection to the characters. We care very deeply about your character and his mission because of his relationship with his daughter. I thought the young actress [Yang Enyou] who played your daughter was so wonderful in this film. What can you share about working with her and developing that father-daughter relationship, which was the heart of the film?

Xie Miao: Actually, this was my second time working with this young actor. She’s a very outstanding and professional young actress. I can describe her with the word professional. She knows what she’s doing everyday. She won’t let anything affect her performance. That level of professionalism is amazing. You know, I started acting when I was young, so I truly understand how a kid, a young actor feels at the scene. For example, in every day of shooting, she might enjoy playing with the crew – but when she was put on the camera, and when everyone is looking at her seriously, she might feel really nervous. So sometimes when we are shooting some emotional scenes when she’s about to cry, everyone says, “Ok, we can wait until emotions have settled and then we can start.” Then when everyone is just watching her quietly, she feels a lot of pressure. Usually under these circumstances, my advice to everyone is, “Do not be so quiet for now. Let us get busy! Give her some time for herself.” She trusts me a lot. I think this is very important for our father and daughter relationship.

Manning: And there’s so much to talk about in regard to the action in this film, but first I want to talk about your impressive running scene early in the movie where you’re chasing after the truck. I think you’re running in sandals at first, and then you’re running barefoot. How demanding was that scene for you as an actor?

Xie: This run is a very direct test for your body. Honestly, sometimes when fighting my opponent, it’s not such a direct test for your body. Because sometimes I know when I can take a break, when I can adjust a bit. I don’t have to use all of my strength in that spot. With running, it’s just you, right? If you use like 100% [of your effort] compared to using like 90 or 80%, the audience can tell the difference. When filming the running scene, I run with all of my strength every time. Usually under these circumstances, the cameraman will ask you to slow down so he can chase you. But I do not want to choose that approach. All I can say is, “Please follow me! Try your best!”

Manning: And speaking more to the director Kenji Tanigaki – I just think he’s a master at his craft as a filmmaker, choreographer, and action designer. So based on your experience working with him, what sets him apart and makes him the impressive filmmaker that he is?

Xie: When I first learned Kenji would be the director, I was really excited – because in my mind, Kenji is the best action director. And this time, he’s the director, and we also have action director [Kensuke Sonomura] to help him. But there’s something really strange: In the beginning, I thought working with both of the directors would be really hard. They [would] have the high demand, they would be really challenging. Only when we were actually filming did I realize that the person who is the strictest with you is yourself. So what Kenji and [Sonumura] told us the most isn’t telling us we should work hard. Not like, “Do it again.” Instead [they said], “Take a break, please, take a break!” I would tell them, “I’m not tired. I can do it again!” They looked at me and they said, “No, you are tired. You are tired. Rest.”

Official Synopsis:

After the daughter of Wang Wei (Xie Miao) is kidnapped by a criminal network and he receives no help from the corrupt police, Wei sets out on a rampage to find her himself. His only ally is Navin (Joe Taslim) – a relentless journalist whose wife has mysteriously disappeared. Fueled by a furious vengeance, the unlikely duo ruthlessly fights against the kidnappers in this explosive martial arts showdown.

In theaters June 12^th, 2026.

For more information, head to the official Lionsgate The Furious webpage.

Thomas Manning is a member of the NCFCA, SEFCA, and CCA, and also the co-host of the television show and radio program Meet Me at the Movies. He has served as a production assistant and voting member on the Film Selection Committee for the Real to Reel Film Festival. Additionally, he manages his own film review and interview site, The Run-Down on Movies. Manning is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University with a double-major in Communications and English. His passion for cinema and storytelling is rivaled only by his love for the music of Taylor Swift.

Categories: EoM Presents, Filmmaker Interviews, Publications

Tags: action, Brian Le, Chinese, crime, Edko Films, English, EoM Presents, foreign film, Frank Hui, Guo Junqing, Hong Kong, interview, Jija Yanin, Joe Taslim, Joey Iwanaga, Kenji Tanigaki, Kensuke Sonomura, Lei Zhilong, Lionsgate, Mak Tin Shu, Manatsanun Phanlerdwongsakul, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Shum Kwan-Sin, Thai, Thailand, The Furious, thriller, Winai Wiangyangkung, Xie Miao, XYZ Films, XYZ Productions, Yang Enyou, Yayan Ruhian