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Cunning stunts >> Jason Cavalier is Montreal's Jackie Chan by CARL AMABILI
Jason is a local actor who specializes in stunt coordination and martial arts: he can make actors look like they know cool kung fu moves and he'll even stand in for them during dangerous stunts. He is Montreal's Jackie Chan. I communed with Jason in order to verify some of the raging rumours about his illustrious cinematographic career. Here are some of the highlights... Actor or stunt guy: "Basically, up to now, my work has been 50-50: half acting and half stunt work. I want to get more into the acting because you can't be a stunt guy all your life. Anything I do, I really get into. That's why I'm in this type of work--because I like kung fu and I like movies." Early days: "I got my first camera at 14. I soon began making really gory movies with my friends. We discovered 'squibs' pretty quick--you fill a balloon with Kool-Aid mixed thick, shoot the balloon with a gun through a tear in the shirt and bang!" (Jason's early squib technique was known for explosions of blood and flame.) Kung fu class at 15: "The first technique I learned was 'Biker Style,' because everyone who trained there was a biker or a dealer. I was used as a punching bag. I weighed 110 soaking wet--and these guys are throwing me through walls. I stuck it out because I was so into every new move I would learn." Time of Your Life: Montreal veterans may remember this soap opera from back in 1988, in which Jason starred. "The show was awful. I didn't expect it to last, yet nine months later there I was. And then the French market lapped it up and it ran for three years straight. Imagine chicks throwing up or fainting when they meet you!" Best fight scenes: Jason has fought and acted with many celebrities: Jean Reno, Charlie Sheen, Richard Norton, Michael Dudkoff, Bruce Boxlightener, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Lorenzo Lamas and even Denis Rodman. Jason vs Jean-Claude Van Damme: "He's an asshole, and you can print that!" Jason vs Juliette Lewis: "She kicked my ass." (But he showed her how to do it.) Jason vs Chiu Cheuk (Green Snake, The Blade): "On, of all shows, Global's Popular Mechanics for Kids." Jason vs The Six Million Dollar Man (Lee Majors): "Bit of a racist... and he kept stealing all of my good lines."
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Have you ever fallen a couple stories, had a chair smashed across your back or taken a crowbar to the head? For Jason Cavalier, that's Wednesday.