After making a name for himself in his native France, particularly with his collaborations with action director Luc Besson, actor Jean Reno crossed the Atlantic to become a highly-sought character performer in big budget Hollywood fare. Though he broke the ice with American audiences with the cult classic LE FEMME NIKITA (1991), Reno made his greatest impression on U.S. shores playing a reluctant hit man training a young girl (Natalie Portman) in the strangely heartwarming thriller THE PRFESSIONAL (1994). Ever since, Reno made his mark playing coolly ambiguous and frighteningly cunning characters who more often than not reveal themselves to be all-too-human. Reno was perhaps most memorable in action thrillers like RONIN (1998) and THE DA VINCI CODE (2006). Despite not possessing a marquee name,

Reno has proved himself to be an invaluable character performer capable of switching from foreign films to Hollywood features with ease.

Jean Reno can be seen in the new action-thriller THE DOORMAN co-starring Ruby Rose. She plays a former Marine turned doorman at a luxury New York City high-rise who must outsmart and battle a group of art thieves and their ruthless leader (Jean Reno) — while struggling to protect her sister’s family. THE DOORMAN premiers exclusively On Demand and Digital October 9, and on Blu-ray and DVD October 13 from Lionsgate. 

Actor Jean Reno took the time to talk about THE DOORMAN and some of his other films for We Are Movie Geeks.

Interview conducted by Tom Stockman October 3rd 2020.

Tom Stockman: Hello Jean. It’s super -nice to talk to you. I’ve enjoyed your movie roles for many years.

Jean Reno: Thank you.

TS: Let’s talk about this new film you’re in and are currently promoting, THE DOORMAN. In the film you play Victor Dubois.  What appealed to you about this character? 

JR: He is somebody that is a connoisseur of art.  He likes rare paintings, and for him that is something that is very important. That’s why he was waiting for so many years to get these paintings back into his life.

TS: Can you relate to that? Are you a collector of art as well? 

JR: Well, I am good friends with several painters.  So yes, sometimes when I see a painting I wish I was wealthy enough to buy it. I think art and classical painting are very interesting subjects.  I have some art, but nothing expensive of course.

TS: You’re often cast in these roles such as Victor Dubois. Do you enjoy playing the villain? 

JR: Most of the time, I guess. Why not? 

TS: When you were a young acting student in France, who were some of your favorite movie stars that specialized in villains?

JR: I would have to say Robert Mitchum. He could play the hero and the villain. He was such a great, versatile actor. I’d say he was my favorite. I appreciate actors that can do a variety of roles.  I wouldn’t want to play the villain all the time, nor would I want to do comedy all of the time. I like to mix the genres. 

TS: That’s you. You have even done some voiceover work for animated film such as FLUSHED AWAY.

JR: Yes, I like doing the vocal work. For me that is very interesting as well. 

TS: What the role of Victor DuBois in THE DOORMAN something that was written for you, or did you audition for that role? 

JR: That was one I understand that was written for me.  He was a Frenchman who had been working in Europe. It was a good role for me and apparently the screenwriter thought so as well. 

TS: And that was filmed in Romania, correct?

JR: Yes, Bucharest. 

TS: What is it like filming in Bucharest compared to Hollywood? 

JR: I found Bucharest to be a bit boring. Sometimes there are locations I enjoy more than others but the ambience there was a little dull for me. I just focused on the work and enjoyed being with the crew. I did not spend much time while filming this movie going to restaurants or visiting monuments.  I just wasn’t attracted to the city. 

TS: What was it like working with Ruby Rose on THE DOORMAN? 

JR: Working with her was a very good experience. She’s very disciplined and very talented and very ready. She was ready for everything. When you’re acting alongside someone who expects different challenges, it is a very nice experience.  She had so much energy. She was never tired and wanted to always take things to the next level.  And she was in very encouraging of all the other actors. She was always giving positive feedback to everyone else. 

TS: Were you there when she filmed some of those fight scenes?

JR: Yes, I was there for some of that. I found her to be very tough and very able to do most of that stuff herself and do it so believably. 

TS: Let’s talk about a couple other of your films. What was it like working with Spike Lee last year on DA FIVE BLOODS? 

JR: I like Spike Lee. He’s very opinionated.  He knows exactly what he wants and he’s not wishy-washy about what his cast and crew are going to do on the set.  That’s good for an actor because you feel secure if you’re working with someone who has that kind of vision.  He’s very intense, and working with him is like performing a dance with him   He will find in an actor exactly what he wants, so in the end, I found it very easy to work with him. 

TS: Did you think that DA FIVE BLOODS was a good film?

JR: Yes I did. It had a good story about black men going back to Vietnam and finding out about themselves and about America.  I feel Spike made the movie very honestly. 

TS: I watched THE BIG BLUE again recently. You show a lot of skill in the diving sequences.

JR: Yes that was something I had to learn, diving without tanks, for the movie.  It was a big experience for me. We spent nine months shooting that movie,  a very long shoot. I had to have a lot of very intense training. It was a big adventure for me.

TS: I recall you playing piano in THE BIG BLUE. Is music a hobby of yours? 

JR: Yes. I play the piano and it is a hobby that I like very much. 

TS: What movie do you think you are most recognized for when you were walking down the street? 

JR: I’d say all over the world I am most recognized for THE PROFESSIONAL. Right now I am in Spain shooting a series for Amazon. I made a comedy last year here in Madrid that was very successful here, so I find I’m being recognized for that, so it depends on the country, but in most countries I would say I am most recognized for THE PROFESSIONAL. 

TS: That was Natalie Portman‘s first film. You must be proud of the career that she has had. 

JR: Very proud because she is a fantastic person. As a human being, she is adorable and I love her very much.

TS: Would you like to work with her again?

JR: If I had the occasion, yes.  Absolutely   Even for free! 

TS: Do you think he will ever retire from acting or will you do this until the end? 

JR: Retire is a very strange word to me but I will just let my body and my mind let me know when that time has arrived. 

TS: What’s your next project Jean? 

JR: I am working with a young director in France. He is just full of talent and we will have a project together for next year.

TS: Sounds good. Best of luck with THE DOORMAN and all of your future projects and thanks for taking the time to talk to me.

JR: You’re welcome. My pleasure.