IN CONVERSATION WITH ARAMIS KNIGHT
interview by JANA LETONJA
Aramis Knight will next be seen in Columbia’s ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, releasing on 30th May. He was recently seen in the Marvel Studio series ‘Ms. Marvel’, and is best known for his roles in AMC’s hit series ‘Into the Badlands’ and ‘Ender’s Game’.
You’re stepping into an iconic legacy with ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. What can you tell us about your character and how this film adds to the Karate Kid universe?
It’s definitely an honor to be a part of a storied franchise like this one. Hearing my parents talk about the impact of the first movie in 1984 to now sharing the screen with Ralph is truly surreal. And I couldn’t ask for a better sparring partner than Ben.
What can fans expect from 'Karate Kid: Legends' that feels fresh or surprising?
I think the pacing of the film is pretty different from the originals. When I first saw the film, I was so happy with how poppy and fun the edit is. It’s really a popcorn movie that anyone at any age can appreciate. It’s a great family or date night movie. Everyone can relate to being the underdog at some point in their life.
Did you grow up watching the original ‘Karate Kid’ movies? What was it like to become part of that world?
I actually hadn’t seen the original movie until I became a part of the project. I think it was actually a good thing at the time, because there is so much lore involved in the franchise, and I think what I brought to my initial reading was fresh and worked for this modern telling of the story. Now I’m a huge fan. What a movie I also really liked 'Cobra Kai'.
The franchise has always balanced action with heart. What kind of energy are you bringing to the story?
This is definitely a white hat/black hat story. The classic high school rivalry. I realized coming in without a strong bad guy, the movie would lack stakes in the end. I knew I was a vessel to make Li Fong the triumphant hero we all wanted to see.
Was there a particular stunt or training moment that really pushed you during filming?
We trained a ton for this movie. There is one shot in particular in the end fight when Ben kicks me and I go flying. I’m pretty sure I took that fall on wires 5 or 6 times. Definitely didn’t feel good, but we had to get the shot.
Marvel fans loved seeing you as Kareem/Red Dagger in ‘Ms. Marvel’. What did you enjoy most about joining the MCU?
Red Dagger was pretty special for me because he is a hero from Karachi, Pakistan, where my grandmother was born. To represent her city and culture in a heroic way was so satisfying.
How does working on a Marvel project differ from your past roles in terms of scale, pressure, or fandom?
It didn’t really differ too much. I try not to worry so much about the back end of working any job. I try to put my head down, work hard, and stay rooted in my core values. It’s easy to lose sight of those things in this industry.
What kind of roles are you drawn to now as you continue evolving your career?
Anything shocking and bigger than life. I’ve always been drawn to bigger than life characters. I look up to Gary Oldman, Christoph Waltz, Christian Bale, and Johnny Depp to name a few.
Outside of acting, what’s something you’re passionate about that fans might not know?
Fishing and camping. The great outdoors in general. I think connecting with nature is the most grounding thing anyone can do.
What can you share with us about your other exciting upcoming projects, besides ‘Karate Kid: Legends’?
I just worked on a horror that was quite fun. I can’t say much about it, but I enjoyed it very much. Other than that, I’m relaxing a bit for now. Traveling, hanging out with friends and family and my dog Kobe. More stuff coming soon.
TEAM CREDITS:
photography JESSE VOLK
styling KELSEA CHAPEL
hair SOPHIA PORTER for EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS using AMERICAN CREW
