I grew up doing martial arts

Doing martial arts is impressive but actor David Cheung also does all of his own stunts. Find out what he’s been up to and how he gets fit for his movie roles…

David Cheung is an actor who appears in the Andor Star Wars series showing on Disney+, which is the prequel to the Star Wars spin-off film Rogue One. David plays West 2, a member of the Pre-Mor Enforcement or corporate tactical force (West Team), who is sent on a mission to Ferrix in Tac pods to track down Cassian Andor.

He is widely respected for performing all of his own stunts and is qualified in six disciplines, including rally racing, a PADI diver master and a SPA rock climbing instructor and he has a black belt in martial arts. David trains hard to get fit for his roles and tailors his training to suit his movies.

David is also among an elite few hundred people in the world to be accepted as a member of the British Stunt Register. He was also the face of Gillette Asia Blue for three years and was the Chinese James Bond in Guy Ritchie’s Ted Baker Selfridges Fashion Campaign.

We spoke to him about doing his own stunts, getting fit for key roles and his future plans.

DH: How did you get into acting and doing stunts?

DC: I grew up doing martial arts. My grandad was a Kung Fu teacher and would teach me Kung Fu in the backyard. I took the emotional side more seriously in my teens, and then I attended a casting. I basically auditioned and got picked for the job.

DH: Other than martial arts, what have you had to do in order to be successful at your job and what have the challenges been?

DC: Being consistent and strong minded, and looking after yourself – fitness, and nutrition wise. It’s got to be strategic with your training. If you know that there’s a certain job that will be demanding, it requires you to eat certain foods, and you’ve also got to train for that that full physical condition for your body to be able to handle the job.

DH: What kind of new skills have you had to acquire to keep yourself in peak condition and also make yourself as appealing as possible to directors?

DC: To become a stunt man, you’ve got to do six disciplines. So, I ended up training as a scuba diving instructor, a rock-climbing instructor, and a rally racing driver. I also have a black belt in martial arts.

DH: Which discipline do you enjoy the most?

DC: Rock climbing.

DH: I understand you’ve also been involved in the gaming industry with EG CGI (computer-generated imagery) stuff. Was that a challenge and how does it compare to movies?

DC: It’s super fun. If you get closer and you go to face scans, or motion capture stuff.

DH: Is it becoming more popular for some people to participate in these games as they get more and more realistic?

DC: I mean, some people are doing the motion capture game, because they specialise in movement.

DH: If you could have a superpower for real, which one would it be?

DC: Probably Superman, to be able to fly anywhere, anytime.

DH: If you could be in any film? Which one would it be?

DC: James Bond.

DH: Sounds great, driving an Aston Martin and drinking martinis. What’s your favourite cheat meal?

DC: Burgers.

DH: I recommend Meatliquor in London. Anyway, thanks for talking to us. Have a great evening.

DC: Thank you!