S'porean actor Sunny Pang on filming Netflix's Havoc: 'They rehearse until everything is on point'
You might expect Hollywood heavyweights like Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker to breeze through their scenes with effortless charisma and minimal prep.
But that wasn't what Singaporean actor Sunny Pang observed on the set of Havoc, a recently released Netflix film.
"They rehearse and rehearse until everything you see is on point," Pang, 53, said in a recent interview with The New Paper, describing the actors' meticulous approach to their craft.
Pang, who has been in the industry for 23 years, had a front-row seat to observe the work ethic of industry giants like Hardy and Whitaker after landing a role in Havoc, an action thriller directed by Gareth Evans.
Pang plays the character Ching, a loyal sidekick of the movie's main antagonist, Mother, portrayed by Malaysian actress Yeo Yann Yann.
What struck him most was not their star power, but their humility and discipline. "It was very humbling when you see a person like that, with such high status - obviously highly paid - but without an ego at all," he said.
"He [Whitaker] even sat down with us to talk about things, like, 'How are you? Where are you from?' You know, [he was] curious about things, curious about you."
Their professionalism challenged any assumptions he might have had about celebrity behaviour.
Pang recounted how the cast hung out on several occasions, sharing conversations and laughter. Whitaker even treated the team to drinks, he added, and it was such gestures that helped foster a strong sense of camaraderie among the team.
On one occasion, the cast went out to watch Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings together, and Pang recounted the fond memory with a smile. "It was like a family," he said.
"You step into a set that you don't know what to think, because you've been on an Asian set, never a Hollywood set. I was like, 'Okay, try not to panic'. And I see my friends (Yeo being one of them), and we start [saying] jokes and everything, and we know that we'll have a good time."
For Pang, the journey to Hollywood has been anything but typical. He began his career as an actor in local productions such as Mediacorp's Code of Law.
He was also a stunt choreographer for local short films before earning international recognition for his performances in Indonesian action films Headshot (2016) and The Night Comes for Us (2018).
Those roles caught the attention of Evans, who later created Ching in Havoc specifically with Pang in mind.
Sunny Pang in an interview with The New Paper. PHOTO: THE NEW PAPER
Even on a global stage, Pang remains grounded. He vividly remembered his first encounter with Whitaker, a long-time idol of his, describing it with awe.
Recounting how professional and down-to-earth Whitaker was, Pang said: "Usually those Hollywood actors will not stay there for your reaction. That means the camera is on me, and I'm supposed to see everyone while giving lines to Yann Yann. But he stayed there. When asked if he wanted to retire and sit, he said, 'No, no, Sunny needs my eyeline.'"
He also recalled receiving praise from Whitaker himself: "When I walked past him when I was done, I went to shake his hand and thank him. He said, 'What you did was cool, man. Keep it up!' I immediately texted my wife, 'Wah! Forest Whitaker said my acting is cool!'
"I mean, it's such a rewarding time to see an Oscar-winning person give you that praise first, and to see him work. And you learn a lot of things," he added, describing the whole experience as a "masterclass" for him.
Although the film is set in a fictional American city, it was shot primarily in Wales.
After spending four months there immersed in filming and the local culture, Pang said the experience left a lasting impression - one he hopes to carry into Singapore's creative scene.
"If you open your eyes a little bit more, you'll see a different side of what we can do. When I learn something from my time overseas, I come back, I don't keep it to myself. I want Singapore to evolve as well."
He emphasised the need to encourage local talent to think differently and take creative risks. "What we lack is encouragement," he said. "Never doubt yourself, and always find ways to create opportunities."
Looking ahead, Pang is turning his attention toward action directing.
"Up to a certain point, you just have to let go (of acting)," he said. "You have to let the new generation evolve, using what you have experienced to let them evolve into something greater than what it is right now."
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