Exclusive Interview: Lawrence Kao Chats Fistful of Vengeance, His Character’s Transformation, and Paving the Way for Future Generations

Lawrence Kao has quickly emerged as one of the industry’s most exciting triple threats. He’s created a lasting impact on the stage and screen with his work as an actor, dancer, and director.

This February, he returns as Tommy Wah in Netflix’s action-packed Fistful of Vengeance, a standalone film based off of the popular supernatural martial arts series, Wu Assassins.

In Fistful of Vengeance, a revenge mission becomes a fight to save the world from an ancient threat when superpowered assassin Kai tracks a killer to Bangkok.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Lawrence to chat about Fistful of Vengeance, his character’s transformation from the series to the film, and paving the way for future generations.

PC: Fistful of Vengeance just dropped on Netflix. What can Wu Assassins fans expect from this film?
Lawrence: They can expect a rollercoaster of action from beginning to end. We cut straight to the meat. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. The story is simple. It’s in the title. It’s a revenge story. It’s about a group of brothers coming together, going to Bangkok, and avenging the death of someone close to them. It’s a very enjoyable popcorn flick. I’m really excited for people to be entertained from beginning to end.

PC: Tommy has quite the transformation from the series to the film. There’s more physicality this time around. How did that change your preparation and mindset as you dove back into this character?
Lawrence: Jumping into this character while more physically aware was so interesting. As an actor, I feel like I’m very kinesthetic and physical in nature. I feel like I was able to embody and exude the idea of a character who is seeking revenge for his sister in my performance. It’s interesting doing action while embodying the character and the story. We can all do choreography. We can all learn specific steps and moves, but there needs to be something underlying all that with the character. I feel it elevates the performance. I also feel that all the characters in this story, especially since we’ve gone through it in the first season, are capable of bringing that out.

PC: Tommy’s arc in the series is quite dark. For you as an actor, how did you create the space for yourself to dive into those more emotional moments?
Lawrence: I really thought about the circumstances of this character. Throughout the first season, he really believes the things that people say about him. He has this idea that he’s a f*ck up. The more people say it to him, the more he believes it. It isn’t until he realizes that, wait a minute, he didn’t do what he thought he did in the first season. It isn’t until he sees a light at the end of the tunnel that he actually feels he can help his friends. He feels like there’s purpose in his life once he is released from the guilt of his past. As an actor, it was about building on the fact that Tommy feels less than and feels like he’s viewed as nothing. He’s at the bottom of the totem pole. It gives him a lot of room to transform. That transformation really takes place in this movie.

PC: There’s a jaw-dropping fight scene that happens at the hotel. I’m curious if you’ve seen the finished product? What was it like filming that scene in particular?
Lawrence: It was cool, man. That’s the first scene where we actually see Tommy get super vicious. I’d never filmed a fight scene before. We were all shooting that hectic scene together, but then they were going in super close on specific individuals. I thought the whole time that I had to go all out. I wasted so much energy. [laughs] I was the last person to get a close-up in that fight. By the end of it, I was like, man, I should have held my energy. [laughs] But I still feel like it played out correctly because of what the character is going through. It’s such an intense fight. It’s fun to see Tommy get into the action.

PC: Like you were saying earlier, at the center of this film is this brotherhood. What’s one fact about each of your brothers that fans would be surprised to learn?
Lawrence: I feel like as we follow these characters we realize that they’re all very vulnerable characters. We come off really strong. We put up this front. We have this facade. But as the story unfolds we realize that they all are on the same mission to avenge the death of Jenny. But each person has a specific shortcoming. It’s interesting to see them open up in a vulnerable way. I feel like once they do that, that’s when they can actually come together and figure out what to do. There are a lot of funny moments throughout the movie that I really enjoy. Everyone did such a good job. It’s so fun acting with Iko [Uwais] and Lewis [Tan]. It’s a fun dynamic between the three of us because we’re all so different.

PC: It definitely comes off on the screen. You also have new cast members joining the franchise. What was it like working with them? How did you guys build that bond during this pandemic?
Lawrence: The pandemic might have actually helped us get closer. It made us more appreciative of the fact that we could still work, especially in a place like Thailand. We were having so much fun. It was like a work vacation, getting to meet Pearl Thusi and Francesca Corney. They’re such charismatic characters in person. They embody that personality in their characters as well. They bring more adventure to the story. They’re such charming characters. It makes it so much more interesting than watching three dudes walk around. [laughs] These added characters are such a delight.

PC: It’s such an exciting time in your career—and the industry as a whole, where we are getting these more inclusive and diverse stories. What has it meant to you to be a part of this movement and also share this moment with your friends and family?
Lawrence: It feels good to be part of this movement, man. I grew up watching movies with people that don’t look like me. When I do see people that look like me, it’s honestly a little jarring. So it’s cool to be a part of this movement so that the younger generation will be able to watch movies and television shows and not have that feeling. I want them to be like, “This is normal.” I want to help the younger generation who are Asian American feel like they can do anything. Anything is possible. It doesn’t have to be in the entertainment industry. It can be whatever you want it to be. Being able to show that representation on a Netflix show is important. I do not take that for granted.

PC: In addition to Fistful of Vengeance, you’re also starring in SHELL: The Series. You’re getting to show off so much depth in your talent. What are the stories and characters that you’re most attracted to?
Lawrence: I’m attracted to characters who are dealing with something internally. I like characters that have a lot of chaos going on. I like characters that are normally judged and looked down upon. Making people feel empathetic towards these characters is something that I love doing. I also like when someone is really passionate about telling a specific story. If they want me to be a part of it, I’m game. Being Asian American and existing on the screen is already enough in itself. It’s funny because in the end, I’ll do anything.

PC: Since the last time we spoke, you also stepped into the director’s chair. What did you learn from that experience that you’ve now been able to apply to your work on screen?
Lawrence: I haven’t really directed anything super crazy, just a small project here and there. But it’s cool because as an actor you know how you want to be spoken to. It’s taking that and asking the right questions to the actors and helping them figure things out themselves. I feel like that’s the most important thing when creating something collaborative, which I feel like most directors that I’ve worked with have done. Being on sets where I can work with directors that ask me amazing questions that make me think about my character more and help me develop things has helped me do that as well.

PC: You’ve done so much already in your young career. As you look ahead to the next five, ten, fifteen years, is there a dream role that you would love to bring to life on the screen?
Lawrence: There isn’t anything specific, but I definitely want to see what it would feel like to lead a show. I would love to be a leader. It’s something I aspire to do. I also want to make my own movies down the line.

PC: What advice would you give to aspiring creatives, especially of Asian descent, that are looking to make their way into their industry?
Lawrence: I would say just to not think about this journey as something that’s fantastical. I feel like when people try to get into the creative industry, they feel like it’s an unattainable thing. But if you look at it the same way as becoming a doctor or a lawyer, you can ask what are the steps that a person needs to go through to become that? It’s a career. In the end, it’s a job. As long as you think about it that way and keep attacking it in that fashion, you will get there. For me, if someone was like, “Go be a doctor,” in my head, I would be like, “That’s impossible.” But I can sit down and be like, “These are the things I need to do.” It’s the same entering the entertainment industry. Get really good at what you’re trying to do and go for it.

PC: You’ve said in previous interviews and during this conversation as well that you never saw yourself represented on screen. When did you start noticing that shift in the industry? During those more challenging times when there were fewer roles for Asian Americans, or Asians in general, how were you able to persevere?
Lawrence: At the beginning of my career when there was less representation, I had to tell myself that I couldn’t think of it as a handicap. I had to think of it as something that made me stand out. We have to change our perceptions of these situations. I could have sat there and complained that I was the only Asian guy coming into the room with a bunch of white guys or I could be like I’m the only one that stands out. I’m the only one that they’re going to remember because I look different. It’s just changing our paradigm about the situation in order to continue to move forward. But now there are more Asian writers, so many more Asian people in the entertainment industry, behind the camera and in front of the camera. It’s amazing to be a part of.

To be honest, when I watched Crazy Rich Asians for the first time, it was jarring for me to be in the movie theater and see that many Asians. I got emotional watching that movie. I’m actually happy that when I see representation on screen now I don’t feel anything. I feel good to not feel like this is rare now. It’s cool, man, to see Asian people in commercials, TV shows, and in film.

To keep up with Lawrence, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Fistful of Vengeance on Netflix today.

Photo Credit: Jeff Rattanong