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By Lim Jong-uhp, Senior Staff Writer

“The biggest challenge was having to prove myself all over again to the staff on the set.”

Speaking with journalists Monday about his experience making “The Warrior’s Way,” which is gaining attention as his Hollywood breakthrough project, Jang Dong-gun said, “I played the part with the hope of instilling the understanding that Korean actors don‘t just do action well, they also do action well.”

“The Warrior’s Way” is directed by Lee Sngmoo, the oldest son of former Culture Minister Lee Eo-ryung, and co-produced by Hollywood producer Barrie Osborne, whose productions include “Lord of the Rings” and “The Matrix,” and Lee Joo-ick, whose productions include “Battle of Wits” and “Late Autumn.” This background factored into the decision to use drumming by the Kim Deok-su samulnori band during the film’s finale. Besides Jang and lead actress Kate Bosworth, the film stars Geoffrey Rush, winner of the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance in “Shine,” and Danny Huston, an actor famous for his roles in “Robin Hood” and “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” The film cost $52 million to make.

In the film, the cold-blooded Eastern swordfighter Yang, played by Jang, harbors doubts about the slaughter and decides to move incognito to a village in the American West with baby April, his enemy’s last blood relative. A once thriving gold rush town, the village is now in a state of collapse. Yang meets the young laundress Lynne, played by Bosworth, and the drunkard Ron, played by Rush, and lives in the town while keeping his violent temper under control.

But when the gang of “the Colonel” (Huston), the villain who slaughtered Lynne’s family, begins threatening the village, Yang unwraps his sword once again. Meanwhile, former gunfighter Ron and the villagers take out their own guns and prepare for the final clash along with Yang. Eastern swordfighters who have tracked Yang by the crying of a sword join in the fray as the film turns into a fantasy that transcends period and genre.

Jang tackled a role involving action performance, his forte, and the expressionless inner acting that is said to be so difficult. But due to the characteristics of a fantasy piece that uses a lot of CG effects, he is unable to demonstrate as much of his capabilities as was hoped.

From Bosworth, who appears as Jang’s counterpart, the tomboyish laundress Lynne, the film boasts both a rough performance as the vengeful character learns swordfighting techniques from Yang, as well as a shy romantic performance as she falls in love with Jang’s character.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]