Alexander Nevsky is a former “Mr. Universe” and an international action star. His credits include “Maximum Impact”, “Undisputed”, “Showdown in Manila”, “Black Rose” and “Gunfight at Rio Bravo”. Nevsky’s new Western “The Wide West” is available on NBCUniversal’s Xumo Play and The Movie Elite decided to ask actor and producer a few questions.
What is it about playing in westerns that appeals most to you?
I’m a huge fan of the Western genre and always wanted to make this kind of movie. Gunfight at Rio Bravo was a great experience for me as an actor, and it was also very successful: Shout! Studios released it in North America in 2023, and it was sold to about 25 countries. So it was a no-brainer to continue—and that’s how I started making one Western after another.
What are some other ideas you might have for more westerns? It appears that you and Joe Cornet are going to do another Rio Bravo film. Tell me a little bit about that one.
Joe Cornet is a great director, and he is my friend, so we’re having a lot of fun working together. The script for the third Rio Bravo film is ready, and it was written again by the great Craig Hamann. It is called Last Heroes of Rio Bravo. This one is heavily inspired by The Magnificent Seven (1960 original, of course). We’ll shoot it later this year.
How fast are you in a quick draw? Do you find yourself practicing your holster draw when no one is looking? Who’s the fastest draw – you or Joe?
I practiced a lot before Gunfight at Rio Bravo, and it wasn’t easy. I think I’m getting better with every Western I make. And Joe is really fast too, so we’re not planning any stand-offs just yet.
How come your character and Joe’s don’t face off at the end of this one? Is the idea to do another one of these, or is there another reason?
Joe’s character in The Wide West is very sinister but charismatic as well, and that’s why we didn’t want him to be killed, wounded, or arrested at the end. I’m sure he’ll show up in the sequel!
And I have to mention my other great co-stars—Tatiana Neva and Nick Baillie (who also served as co-producer). They both contributed tremendously! Tatiana is beautiful and so talented. Her portrayal of Sybil really helped make our movie better. Nick is a great actor, and his Judge has an interesting arc in The Wide West—he’s even becoming an action hero in the finale.
Who came up with the idea to have you starring alongside Sumo wrestlers? Where did you find the perfect guys to play those parts? I liked them, but would like to see them involved more in the action if you do another one together.
My longtime friend Andrew Freund is the director of USA SUMO, so we created the idea for The Wide West and produced it together. We were partially inspired by the classic Red Sun, but mostly by a real story from 1907, when the first-ever sumo delegation from Japan, led by the great sumo wrestler Hitachiyama, traveled through the United States to Washington, D.C., where they met with President Theodore Roosevelt.
My co-stars Hiroki Sumi and Ichi are great sumo champions in real life, and it was a joy to work with them. They never complained—we shot long days in the California desert, and it was really hot—and they were always prepared.
Whose idea was it to bring Sean Murray, your composer, into the film as the mayor? He’s your secret weapon for your movies. He always makes your movies even better with his scores. Talk about having him on set.
I started working with Sean Murray in 2013 on Black Rose, and we became friends pretty fast. He’s a great composer, and The Wide West is our eighth movie together! He’s also a talented actor, and in this one he finally got a few lines.
When you’re on location for these westerns, do you bring a gym with you? How do you keep in shape and train when you’re making films?
I don’t bring a gym with me, but I always get a nice hotel with a gym. It’s not easy to train when I’m making a movie because I’m super busy as an actor and producer. But I work out every night—even if it’s after midnight.
Say something about working with Joe. He’s been your primary collaborator for the last several films. What’s the secret sauce of your working relationship?
As I said before, Joe is a very talented filmmaker, and he’s a great friend. He literally opened the door for me into the Western genre, and I’m really grateful for that. There’s no doubt that we’ll continue making movies together.
What are your hopes for this particular film? How can people watch it? Where do they find it? Will it be released on DVD or Blu-ray?
I don’t have hopes because I always have a plan. The Wide West is available now on NBCUniversal’s Xumo Play in North America. It will also be available on all digital platforms and DVD in September. We just had a special screening at The Japan Foundation Los Angeles, and everyone loved the movie. International release will start this fall, and I can’t wait for the premiere in Tokyo!
