Q: How are you enjoying this ninja costume?
Elodie Yung: Oh, very much. Its like a wetsuit, but without the water around me. Im French, by the way, so let me know if you dont understand me.
Q: Is the costume restrictive in its movement?
Yung: It feels pretty good. Its good. Its not restrictive because we have a lot of action to do and with our costumes they made sure it was practical.
Q: Had you ever heard of G.I. Joe before they offered you this movie?
Yung: Yes, from the first film. But Im a girl, so I didnt really know about G.I. Joe as a kid. I didnt really watch the show.
Q: So are you a student of Snake Eyes?
Yung: No, Im not a student of Snake Eyes, but we trained in the same dojo.
Q: So youre introduced in the dojo?
Yung: Yes, yes.
Q: Youre a student of RZA’s Blind Master?
Yung: Yes, exactly.
Q: How is it working with RZA?
Yung: It was great. It was crazy! …Hes a really nice person. And I think he brings something very fitting in his character. When I first read the script, I thought that the Blind Master would be an old, little tiny person. But no, they bring RZA, and I think he brings something interesting for the Blind Master.
Q: Do you have a lot of things to play without dialogue?
Yung: I think its about equal. So far, its been pretty much all my action stuff. I still have a long time. Were going to work on some of the dialogue soon. Its very, very different for me. Its good, equal.
Q: Can you talk about filming two particular sequences that we saw? One was you in the red with the blindfolded sword stuff, and also we saw quick flashes of what looked like you and Snake Eyes on ziplines going down a mountainside.
Yung: Yes, the mountainside. I didnt do that, no. Some things had to be filmed by real professionals. I think the first scene in the mountains they had to film with people who were trained in the mountain things, like in real mountains. So I didnt do that. But I did all the swordplay and fights. I was really nervous. I trained about a month before we began because I had never done swords before. I did a bit of karate — Im a blackbelt — so I know how to move. But when I arrived there I realized I hadnt used the swords, and its really difficult… Weve trained a lot.
Q: Has coming to work on an American action film been very different from what you’ve done in the past? Is the language barrier a problem?
Yung: Are you saying I should speak French? [Laughs]
Q: What has the adjustment been like?
Yung: At the end of the day its still a film, and every film will be different. I dont know. Id guess that every American action film would be different. Its just training, training hard, training a lot. Then you just give your best performance on the day, and Ive been lucky so far. When I was on this film “District 13: Ultimatum,” the stunt people were amazing. And on this film, theyve been incredible. So no. To me its still professional.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about how its been working with Jon Chu?
Yung: Hes been great! Its surprising how calm and professional he is for 31. Were almost the same age. He can just handle these big machines so well, and hes very, very talented. Hes a good director.
Q: Because you have a lot of action experience — as do a lot of the cast — have you helped Jon out with or offered him any ideas?
Yung: I didnt help with anything. I dont think he needs my help. But you have to adjust. Sometimes you can do a take, and it doesnt work very well. He can say, Okay, I think I should be facing more like this. Lets try that. And hes really open. Thats a good quality I think. We can exchange a lot.
Q: How did you first get involved with the project?
Yung: I auditioned. I was in London. Im not living in the U.S., so I put myself on tape. That was great because I could do it myself and send it in. Then I had a meeting via Skype with Jon. So this is how we met. After that, I came here.
Q: Can you talk a bit about New Orleans. Obviously youre not filming all the time. What have you been able to enjoy in the city?
Yung: I would recommend you go to Jacque Imos. [Laughs] Ive experienced all the food and restaurants in New Orleans. Ive been doing a bit of surfing when I have the day off. To me, its very, very surprising how people are so friendly. But no, its very different from Paris. People here are very, very open and friendly, and thats great. Just nice and relaxing. Theres a lot of fun going on.
Q: Is there a female antagonist that you fight in the film?
Yung: In this film? Yes.
Q: Do you have an American role or an American movie that you would love to have a crack at sometime?
Yung: There are so many things that I would love to do. I am enjoying this action movie. Id love to do a drama or something different. I just enjoy doing very different things.
