There comes a time when the master must give up the title and make way for the younger apprentice to take the mantle. Martial Arts has reached that time and Tony Jaa is that apprentice. Decode predicts that Tony will take his rightful place on the throne after the legends of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. Now it's not just Decode who is saying this, but all the critics of cool are crowning him the king. Decode recently had the chance to chat with Tony and scoop an exclusive interview with this New Martial Arts Action-Star Hero.

Decode : How are you doing this morning, Tony ?
Tony: I am good!

Decode : I hear it was your birthday yesterday, Happy Birthday man!
Tony: Thank you for remembering!

Decode : How did you first get started in Martial Arts?
Tony: I first started whan I was at the age of ten. I watched a lot of movies by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. I would come home from those movies and practice those moves myself and after a while I wanted to train. So I went to Master Panaa (Ritthikrai) when I was 15 and asked him if I could train with him. At first I would work in the crew and work behind the scenes. I would pick up stuff from the stunt men. I carried the dollys, cut the slates, and was a waterboy for a long time and worked my way up to eventually being an extra. After a while Panaa advised me to go and study at a Physical Education Academy and there I learned all the different types of Martial Arts, from Wu-Shu, to Tae-Kwon Do, and all various forms. I then came to work with Panaa as a stunt man and then I realized that as a stunt man you only get seen behind the scenes, people don't know that you are really the one doing the action. So I put together this project with Panaa and presented it to director Prachya Penkaw.

Decode : In terms of your fighting style you mentioned a number of styles. The style you are using -- now is it a Mui Thai Style or is it something that you created on your own?
Tony: The Mui Thai that you see in ONG-BAK is mostly Mui Thai Borang, but then there will be gymnastics incorporated into it as well.

Decode : You mentioned a number of big stars who inspired you the most as you were coming up. Who is your favorite star?
Tony: Those same stars and it follows in descending order of Bruce Lee , Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and master Panaa.

Decode : I've read that you do a lot of your own stunts and you work without wires. What has it been like doing your own stunts and co-ordinating them?
Tony: Well, it was something we wanted to do and we knew it was challenging, but for the first film to depict Mui Thai it was somethig that we had to do and we wanted everybody to see those moves, and everything that was involved in Mui Thai, Definately. Also we wanted people to see my abilities and to see that it was really my ability that had allowed me to do these things.

Decode : The reception has been pretty great in North America and Internationally as you metioned. Now, how have you personally been recieved as you tour the states? I know you recently did a half time show at a basketball game.
Tony: Well, it is actually my second time in America, and the fans have welcomed us really well. Yesterday we were at the Atlanta Hawks game and we did the halftime show and it's really exciting because when people cheer us on it's like they're cheering a boxing match.

Decode : What's next for you in the future? Are you going to make the jump to Hollywood like Jackie Chan and Jet Li?
Tony: In the future I am going to continue making movies. Right now I want to make films in Thailand first to establish stronger roots in Thailand, creating quality films in Thailand for the world to see.

Decode : In terms of acting you have honed your skills to doing action films, do you see your self doing any other kind of acting say taking on some dramatic roles?
Tony: Right now I would like to work on something I am more familiar with and that I love. But in the future you never know.

Decode : What kind of movies do you generally like?
Tony: I like all types of movies because usually in film there are good things and bad things for us to look back and refect on. It doesn't really matter what genre of film it is.

Decode : Where do you see yourself taking your action movie in the future? Right now your movies are all Martial Arts!
Tony: I thought about it, but I am more skilled in Martial Arts so it would be better for me to stick to films of Martial Arts.

Decode : So for your next movie Tom-Yum-Goong, have you done more of the same or are we going to see you move in a dfferent direction?
Tony: Of course this movie will be different, But there will be a novelty with this one. It will be something for people to keep their eye on as there is a higher budget, there is an international production team and an international stars. So it is going to be quite nice and quite different! As to how different it is going to be you will have to wait and see.

Decode : We have heard that either clips or the movie Tom-Yum-Goong it-self was supposed to be screened recently in the Thai Film Festival. Tell us a bit about that the Film Festival experience now that the second movie is to come out.
Tony: Um, Actually it has not been showing at the film festival, yet. It is still in production as we wanted to make sure that we had quality work, so the date has been pushed back.

Decode : Tom-Yum-Goong is rumored to have a video game coming out! Did you have any involvement in that?
Tony: Well, the game for Tom-Yum-Goong is based on the movie and is the first game that has Mui Thai as the basis for it and you'll be able to learn about Mui Thai from playing the game and from the movie.

Decode : Tony, I want to play against you!
Tony: In the Game?

Decode : Heck ya! Kick some Mui Thai Butt!
Decode : Besides acting do you have any plans to go into any competition fighting to show off the Mui Thai style?
Tony: No, I will continue making films because I can desmonstrate these things for the world to see and it gives me the independence to think as well!

Decode : You started your stunt work on Mortal Kombat. How did you like working on that film?
Tony: It was my first Hollywood film , I was proud and happy that they cast me to be the stunt double for Robin Shou.

Decode : There is a rumor surfacing on the internet that is getting people excited! Appearantly they are saying that you might be making a movie with Jackie Chan for Drunken Master 3. Can you tell us anything about that, and if this rumor is true or not?
Tony: Well it's still a rumor, right now. Its still in talks. I would like to work with Jackie Chan.

Decode : In terms of the cinematography and shooting style of the movie this was done with wider shots and angles?
Tony:  We wanted the audience to be able to see the real talents and abilities of me and the other actors -- that we really did these stunts and that we did not use any wires or doubles of any kind!

Decode : Is Tom-Yum-Goong shot in the same nature, what can we expect there?
Tony: There are new and old forms so you will have to wait and see!

Decode : Tony, for the Ladies, do you have a girlfriend?
Tony: No, I am single right now!

Decode : Hear that ladies? The man is single and we are helping him put the word out!
Tony: Thank You!

Decode : Are you excited about having female fans?
Tony: I'm happy that they are excited about the film and they embraced me so well. Females have come to me and asked me for hugs and stuff like that.

Decode : We wish you all the best and we at Decode are looking forward to seeing this movie when it hits the "Big Screen".
Tony: Thank you very much !

Ong Bak is released in North American theaters on February 11, 2005 and in Australian on March 10, 2005. This film is worth seeing! Check out the Trailers and performances below.