Movies - TV
Tony Jaa Borrowed Some Moves From Michael Jackson For His XXX Role
By DREW TINNIN
While playing the villain Talon in “XXX: Return of Xander Cage,” Tony Jaa was able to mimic Michael Jackson with some choice dance moves that would excite any MJ superfan.
On the dance floor, Talon twirls a black fedora through his fingers, nailing a few classic hat tricks that Jaa revealed were inspired by the man in the mirror.
Jaa told The Action Elite, “[Talon] has an energy and a power of mind. So when he is fighting, he's laughing and dancing so he reminded me a little of Michael Jackson.”
The film’s director DJ Caruso also helped Jaa incorporate a little bit of Michael Jackson’s essence into Talon, and Jaa explained how Caruso became inspired to do so.
Jaa said, “When [DJ] first saw me in my costume on set and I started to dance while doing Muay Thai Boxing, then did some Michael Jackson, he said ‘THAT is your character!’”
Jaa continued, “So I would learn to use Muay Thai techniques and weapons like guns and knives. [DJ] would show me how to mix them [with Jackson’s dance moves] and he was amazing.”