Interview by Paul Salfen and Remington Rafael, Text by Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine
In his most raw and revealing interview yet, martial-arts powerhouse Xie Miao sits down with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen and Remington Rafael to discuss the physical and emotional toll of starring in the 2025 martial-arts thriller The Furious. From real blood pouring from his ear on set to finally nailing an almost-impossible hammer sequence after dozens of failed takes, Xie Miao pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to become the silent, unstoppable force known as Wang Wei.
Xie Miao has been thrilling audiences since he was a child. A former wushu champion born in Beijing, he first captured the world’s attention as Jet Li’s on-screen son in The New Legend of Shaolin (1994) and My Father Is a Hero (1995). After stepping away to finish his studies at the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, he returned stronger than ever, delivering standout performances in Ip Man: The Awakening, The Thousand Faces of Dunjia, and more.
Now, in director Kenji Tanigaki’s English-language Hong Kong action film The Furious, Xie Miao takes center stage as Wang Wei, a mute tradesman who unleashes a brutal, one-man war against a human-trafficking ring after his daughter Rainy (Yang Enyou) is abducted. When corrupt police refuse to help, Wang Wei’s rampage begins—and audiences are in for one of the most visceral martial-arts rides of 2025.
During a candid conversation with AMFM Magazine, Xie Miao made it clear that the intensity viewers see on screen is more than just choreography.
“It was very difficult. Nonstop difficult,” he said with a laugh. “Even though it’s all choreographed very well, it still hurts, right?”
The actor recalled moments when the camera kept rolling and the adrenaline masked the pain—until filming stopped. In one memorable incident, crew members noticed blood running from his ear after a take.
“They asked me whether the blood was from makeup or real,” Xie Miao remembered. “I touched it… Does it hurt? I said, yes. That must be real.”
He explained that true fighters often enter a “focus mode” where pain disappears in the moment. “As a fighter myself, when you hit that focus mode, you don’t feel anything. The adrenaline’s going. You’re like, I don’t care. It’s all for the movie.”
The Tiger Club Scene:
One sequence in particular left a lasting impression on both Xie Miao and audiences: the ferocious Tiger Club brawl. In this underground fight club showdown, Wang Wei and Navin team up against a towering sledgehammer-wielding brute. “I was using a hammer to bang on everybody,” Xie Miao recalled with a laugh. What viewers don’t see is the 30–40 failed attempts in training and another 7–8 on set before the star finally “let it go” and nailed the move in one explosive take. The result is one of The Furious’ most talked-about fight scenes — a masterclass in gritty, innovative Hong Kong-style action that proves Xie Miao is more than ready to carry the torch.
Choreography & Production Details
- Director/Choreographer: Kenji Tanigaki (known for Raging Fire, SPL, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In) delivers one of his signature hard-hitting, realistic sequences. No heavy wire work or CGI flourishes — just skilled fighters throwing real strikes, grapples, and weapon work.
- Style: A blend of Xie Miao’s precise wushu roots, Joe Taslim’s brutal, athletic style (from The Raid and Mortal Kombat), and Brian Le’s powerful, imposing presence (Le is a Martial Club veteran known for viral stunt work). Expect sticky-hand/chi sao elements, judo throws, sledgehammer swings, and improvised environmental combat (ice blocks, tires, industrial props).
- Challenges: Like many Tanigaki fights, this one emphasizes fatigue, impact, and realism. The hammer move Xie Miao struggled with required perfect timing and commitment — missing it could mean real injury or a ruined take. The cold environment (ice factory/warehouse setting) added physical discomfort on top of the choreography.
Reviews and fan reactions call it one of the most brutal and inventive modern martial arts sequences in years — visceral, bone-crunching, and a perfect showcase for Xie Miao’s long-awaited leading-man action showcase.
Visual Highlight
- “Joe Taslim and Xie Miao Destroy Big Hammer Dude” and “Ice Fight” clips (released by Lionsgate) show the duo taking on the towering, tattooed hammer-wielding opponent in a gritty, steam-filled industrial space.
![Joe Taslim & Xie Miao Dodge a Sledgehammer in 'The Furious' Clip [Exclusive] - Bloody Disgusting](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/_udyg7ZTYYE/maxresdefault.jpg?w=1261&ssl=1)
Yet Xie Miao is quick to credit more than luck. He believes action cinema still has room to grow.
“After this movie, I feel that something innovative could come out,” he told Paul and Remington. “Even just with our two arms and two legs, we could still do something new. I hope if you like action movies or those who work in action movies, you can firmly believe we still have a lot of innovation. Just keep going. It will definitely work out.”
For fans who grew up watching him alongside Jet Li, it feels like a full-circle moment. Xie Miao himself sees it as the “fate cycle” of his career: his first major film was with one of the greatest action stars of that era, and now he’s carrying the torch in a new generation of hard-hitting martial-arts storytelling.
When asked what advice he would give to the next wave of aspiring action performers, his message was clear: perseverance and belief in innovation matter more than anything.
The Furious is now playing in theaters.
