Interview by Paul Salfen
In a cinematic landscape dominated by CGI spectacles, Steven Kostanski’s remake of the 1983 sword-and-sorcery cult classic Deathstalker is betting big on old-school grit. Set for a limited theatrical release on Oct. 10 via Shout! Studios, the film stars action veteran Daniel Bernhardt in the titular role, channeling the barbaric heroism of the Roger Corman-produced original while infusing it with fresh gore and practical effects wizardry. Ahead of its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin later this month, Bernhardt spoke with AMFM Magazine about stepping into the boots (and wig) of the legendary warrior, his rigorous prep and why this project feels like a career Hail Mary.
The plot thrusts viewers into the besieged Kingdom of Abraxeon, where the Dreadites—harbingers of the ancient sorcerer Nekromemnon—wreak havoc. When Deathstalker salvages a cursed amulet from a battlefield littered with the dead, he’s ensnared by dark magic and pursued by grotesque assassins. To survive, he must shatter the curse and confront the encroaching evil. “Death is just the beginning… of great adventure!” teases the official logline, promising a blend of high-fantasy thrills, comedy and horror that’s tailor-made for midnight movie crowds.
Bernhardt, best known for his high-octane turns in franchises like John Wick and The Matrix Reloaded, couldn’t hide his excitement about leading the charge. “I’m so proud of this movie. To be part of this—it’s ’80s history,” he said, referencing the original film’s enduring B-movie legacy. “We’re remaking this beautiful movie, Deathstalker from the ’80s, and our director did an amazing job. How lucky am I to actually play Deathstalker? When I got the call, I was like, ‘Really? Nobody’s pulling my leg. This is for real.'”
Kostanski, who wrote and directed the film following a successful Kickstarter campaign that positioned it as a continuation of Corman’s series, brings his effects-heavy pedigree from projects like PG: Psycho Goreman and Frankie Freako. Bernhardt recalled producer Michael Johnston looping him in: “He said, ‘Hey, we’re redoing Deathstalker. Director Steven wants you to play the lead.’ I watched some of his movies and heard about what he’s doing—he’s building the monsters. He calls me up and goes, ‘Hey, Daniel, I want you to fight a monster with two heads.’ It’s going to be real effects, gore. I was like, ‘I’m in.’ I love the ’80s. I’m an ’80s child.”
The production leaned heavily into practical creatures, with Kostanski often tinkering on set. “Every day he would finish work, go back to the shop, fix up a monster,” Bernhardt said. “He’s still patching something on a monster, putting some glue on it. He is a hands-on director—a bloody legend.” Filmed in Canada, the shoot saw Bernhardt donning a handmade costume complete with tight pants, boots and a flowing wig. “Our wardrobe department was amazing. They put this incredible costume together—all handmade. When I put this on in the morning, there’s no acting. I’m Deathstalker.”
To embody the ripped rogue, Bernhardt ramped up his regimen. “I’ve done a lot of physical roles back 30 years ago with the Bloodsport movies—I was always in great shape,” he explained. “For this, I wanted to get as big as I can. For three months, I trained crazy, my diet was very clean. The secret was, before every take, I had my weights on set and I would pump for 10 minutes. I’d tell them, ‘Give me a five,’ and I’m pumping, doing push-ups. Then I’d shoot. They put a really nice tan on me—made me look really nice.”
The cast includes Christina Orjalo, Nina Bergman and Paul Lazenby, with producers like David Bond overseeing the indie effort. For Bernhardt, the role marks a full-circle moment after decades in the stunt and action world. Reflecting on his “Hail Mary” breakthroughs—like replacing Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport sequels, battling Keanu Reeves in The Matrix Reloaded or joining the John Wick universe—he sees Deathstalker as another pinnacle. “Getting the opportunity to be the star in a movie after 30 years in the business—I hope all our fans will go see it in theaters. It’s a real fun movie, an incredible ride: fun, comedy, action, horror, gore. It has everything.”
Bernhardt’s advice for aspiring action stars? Perseverance. “Never take no for an answer. How many times I’ve heard ‘no’ in my life—and I go, ‘Absolutely not.’ Never give up. If you have a dream, follow your dream.” His mindset keeps him grounded: “I don’t take no for an answer. I love what I do. I live a good life—I’m honest, I work harder than anybody.”
As Deathstalker gears up for its Fantastic Fest bow—where Bernhardt is game for some Austin barbecue—the film positions itself as a nostalgic throwback with modern bite. In an era of reboots, this one swings its sword with authenticity, proving that practical magic still has a place in Hollywood’s fantasy realm.
