Nick, how did you enter Joe Cornet and Alexander Nevsky’s periphery? You’re in their world of westerns now!In 2022 I produced and starred in a movie called Malicious, directed by John Fallon. Later that year we went to the American Film Market in Santa Monica to promote our film and John introduced me to Alexander and Joe. He worked with them in the past and he wanted me to meet them because he felt like we would be a good fit to work together at some point. He was definitely right!
Talk about playing a morally grounded character like the judge here. You have a big speech to try to convince a bunch of guys to become deputized, but the only way you can do that is to pay Max to take up arms to protect the town. That was your big moment in the film, but was it your favorite scene to shoot?The judge was a fun character to play because I loved his arc. He is definitely nervous about having to take up arms, but he steps up none the less. Regardless of what fears he may have. It was definitely a fun scene to shoot, but my favorite scene to shoot was when Alexander and I walk down main street looking for bad guys. I don’t get to hold a shot gun too often, so it was fun to be able to do that alongside Alexander.
Alexander is a very big guy, but you seem to stand toe-to-toe with him in the film. Talk about working with him.Alexander is a real joy to work with. He always wants to make sure we get the scene right, so we discuss character and dialogue before every scene. His attention to detail is very impressive. He always makes the sets relaxed and fun, all while being very professional.
How did you become involved as a co-producer on the film?One of the reasons John Fallon introduced me to Alexander was because we had both produced films that we had starred in. The difference was that Alexander knew how to make money from his films. Haha. I love making movies, but I also love making money, so it seemed like a good idea to team up with him. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Alexander has taught me so much already, and there’s a lot that I am able to bring to the table as well.A lot of actors dream of acting in a western. Was it a dream of yours as well? Are there any other sorts of genres you haven’t done that you’d be down to try?
I grew up in Canada and I loved to watch old westerns like High Noon. It has always been a dream of mine to be in a western. This time I played a good guy, but next on my bucket list is to play a bad guy in a western. Another genre that I have never done is action, which I also want to do. Alexander and I have plans for both another western as well as a modern action film, so I will get to fulfill those dreams as well!
Talk about that little town set you were on. Were there functioning stores, or was it just a shell, a set like in a backlot? I imagine you guys used some of the storefronts for lunches and breaks, though, right?
We shot most of The Wide West at a place called Whitehorse Ranch, about 30 minutes from Palm Springs, out in the desert. It was hovering around 100 degrees each day. The town was built by hand by the man who currently owns and runs it. It took him the better part of 25 years to built it, and it’s 100% authentic. Most of the buildings have full working interiors with authentic props from the old west. None of the stores were actually functioning stores, but they made wonderful, realistic sets. Yes, we always stayed on the set for our meals and breaks. Occasionally we’d take cooling breaks in our trailers, but most of the time we were on set working.
So, the two Sumo wrestlers Hiroki Sumi and Ichi: Were those guys for real? Talk about the big demonstration they did in the film. Did those guys eat everyone under the table? Sumos are supposed to consume an enormous amount of calories a day, if I’m correct?
They were most definitely the real deal. Ichi actually won the Emperor’s Cup in Japan as the top Sumo champion. They definitely have to eat a lot to maintain their large frames. They were both over 6’5” and 550Lbs, so they needed to eat more than double what anyone else would eat.
The sumo match that they did in the town centre was so much fun to witness. Seeing how they prepare before was very impressive. It was also almost 100 degrees out in the direct sunlight for hours while they shot various angles of the fight. I was so impressed by how they worked, and how they never once complained in the heat. They are true masters.
What’s next for you?
Right now we are working hard doing publicity for The Wide West. Joe Cornet, Tatiana Neva, Alexander, Hiroki, Ichi, producer Andrew Freund and I just attended a special screening in The Japan Foundation Los Angeles. We’re also in Pre-production for the 3rd Rio Bravo movie, called The Last Heroes of Rio Bravo. We plan to shoot it this fall in Tucson, Arozona.
Are you pleased with how The Wide West turned out? What are your hopes for the film?
Yes I’m really proud of what we accomplished on this movie. It was a lot of hard work from everyone, but we brought it successfully to the finish line. Currently it’s exclusively on NBC Universal’s Xumo Play, which is a free streaming app. We plan to release it around the world as well, and will do a more official North American release in September. We have plans to go to Japan in the fall as well to publicize the film.
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