Donington martial arts hall of famer and former bare knuckle fighter John Stephenson lands first movie role
A martial arts hall-of-famer is hoping to become a regular in front of the camera after starring in his first film.
John Stephenson is no stranger to the likes of action movie icons Jean-Claude Van Damme and Cynthia Rothrock, having featured them in his series of 18 books about legendary fighters - even getting to interview Under Siege star Steven Seagal for one of his titles.
And now the 49-year-old is hoping to emulate those household names in his new career path.
John was cast in the starring role of supernatural horror flick The Guardian, which will soon be available on DVD and aims to feature on UK streaming services in the near future.
In the film, shot on location in Peterborough, he plays former soldier Dave Ellis who is forced to battles a demon after a a number of paranormal incidents in his home.
“It’s my first film, I’m trying to build up a portfolio,” said John, a third degree black belt who was inducted in the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame London two years ago at a glitzy bash in Kensington.
“I excelled with the books and excelled in the martial arts. I’m not saying I’m going to excel in this, but without giving it ago, who knows?
“At least when I get older I can look back and say I did this and gave it a go.”
John is now in talks about starring in another action movie called BloodBreed where he hopes his real-life bare-knuckle fighting experiences can help him land the role of a man forced to battle some of the travelling community’s top competitors to wipe out his brother’s debts.
“I think it would be a good role for me,” he added.
“I’ve got bare knuckle experience so I think I could act the part well.”
The Donington resident - who had an action figure made in his honour after his hall of fame induction - is also looking at work as a stuntman or a fight double.
“Casting calls have been messaging me and asking if I’d take on some other roles but I’ve not really fancied some of them,” he added.
Continuing the movie theme, John and pal Mark Vallint have also been taking part in car pulls with a series of iconic vehicles from film and TV.
Testing their strength, they have used a rope to tug a series of much-loved machines including Kit from Knight Rider and famed love bug Herbie, plus Mr T’s van and Face’s car from The A-Team.
They also got the opportunity to flex their muscles with a General Lee which was screen used in the Dukes of Hazzard.
“I was born in the 70s so grew up something of an 80s child,” John explained.
“We’ve been doing car pulls and seeing some of these famous cars has been cool.
“It’s a bit of fun and nostalgia from my childhood and the pulls have gone down well on social media.”
“It’s light hearted fun but people are loving the content.”
