Interview with “The Brothers Swap” Director Bruce Chong

Bruce Chong is an actor who you may have seen in films such as Now You See Me 2 and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, now he’s taking a foray into directing with his debut as a director on the short film The Brothers Swap, which he also wrote, co-edited, produced, co-action directed for and starred in.

Image Courtesy of Bruce Chong

The Brothers Swap is about Charlie Lee, played by Bruce Chong, a former gangster is forced to pursue London's underworld to protect his younger brother, Bryce (Samuel Mak), from the formidable Phoenix Head... until things get switched up. The Brothers Swap is a Martial Arts Comedy take on the body swap trope, that you may have seen in films such as Freaky Friday, Your Name and Scooby-Doo, the short also has supernatural elements.

The short film was screened at Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2024 and BFI’s Art of Action and is now available to watch on YouTube.

Describe yourself in three fictional characters.
Tengen Uzui, Joey Tribbiani & Batman

Can you tell us about your Martial Arts background?
I started with Wing Chun when I was 10, then did Muay Thai and Wushu, and now I'm practising Taekwondo.

How did you get your start in acting and how did you find your footing?
I've always enjoyed performing and got into acting when I was younger. I studied it in school and also took classes at a part-time drama school. My first exposure to the industry was an open casting call for a film called 47 Ronin. I vividly remember being on set and knowing that this was what I wanted to do. It was a huge learning experience that helped me get started, and eventually, I got my first acting role.

What are some of your personal highlights in your career so far?
There are many great moments, but filming Now You See Me 2 was a highlight. We had an amazing set to play around in and working with such an exceptional cast, crew and director was a blast, and I'm happy people still love that card scene.

What do you hope for the future of the Martial Arts/Action Genre?
I hope the Martial Arts/Action Genre continues to get recognised for its contribution to the entertainment industry.

What is on your career bucket list?
To create and be in an action-drama/comedy TV series. Also, working with Jackie Chan is up there.

You wrote, directed and edited The Brothers Swap, where did the idea for The Brothers Swap come from? What was the writing process?
So, one night I was watching The Brothers Sun with a friend, and I felt compelled to do a London version, but with a twist. We tossed around ideas and the title of the film (The Brothers Swap) was born - which was the catalyst for the whole idea. The next day, I wrote the first draft of the film and a month later we shot it. I also co-edited the film with my fantastic cinematographer, Roan Lenihan.

How did you do the casting for The Brothers Swap?
From the get-go, I was looking for an actor to play the younger brother (Bryce), who could portray vulnerability, has sibling-like qualities and great range. On top of that, someone who also possessed phenomenal martial arts and movement skills. Fortunately, Samuel Mak (Havoc) was the perfect fit.

For the remaining cast, I selected actors with highly distinctive and memorable appearances for the roles, each bringing a unique interpretation to their characters. I was thrilled to collaborate with Lorraine Tai (Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning), Quang Luong (BBC Gladiators), and Aaron Lo (Bad Day at the Office). The talented stunt/action team included Waiku Lam, Jake Nong, and James Ureta. Finally, Garn Tse made his screen debut in this production.
 
For The Brothers Swap, how were the action sequences designed? How did you and Samuel Mak work together to highlight each person’s style?
To illustrate the contrast in power and agility, we planned to have our characters (mine and Sam's) swap bodies, thus altering their physical capabilities. Charlie, initially self-assured and confident in his attacks, would need to rely on speed and agility in Bryce's body, crafting a series of attacks to overcome the gang.

What were the best parts of filming The Brothers Swap and were there any challenging parts of filming?
The best part was getting everyone together for this ambitious film and finishing it!

Despite the challenges, including time constraints and cast injuries, we completed the entire film, including narrative and action sequences, within 10 hours. We also dealt with those last-minute choreography changes. Thankfully, the team's excellent work brought this project to life.

How long did the editing take for The Brothers Swap? How did you do the special effects for the short film?
About 4 weeks, we wrapped the shoot at the end of February 2024 and had picturelock the week before it premiered online. Credit goes to my co-editor, Roan, who is fantastic with SFX. We aimed for a similar electric effect as Thor picking up his hammer!

What was your favourite part of the final edit of The Brothers Swap?
All of it. But, if I had to pick one part, it’d have to be the bloopers.

The Brothers Swap was screened at Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2024 and BFI’s Art of Action, what was the best feedback you received for The Brothers Swap?
The consensus was that it brought a sense of nostalgia, it was fun and creative!

Will there be more in the future for The Brothers Swap?
I’ve left it open-ended, so perhaps! I’d love to continue the journey of the brothers.

Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
Yes, we recently completed our next action-comedy drama short, The Protector, starring Jo Rolison and supporting cast members Jaih Betote, Eric Mitchell, Tim Bracq, and Michel Saldana. We are currently preparing it for the film festival circuit this year.

Speed Round - Pick One Film for Every Question- You have 10 seconds to answer each one.

1. What’s the best film from 2024?
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.
2. What film are you looking forward to watching in 2025?
Ballerina
3. What’s your favourite childhood film?
Rocky IV.

4.What film has the best action sequence?
The Raid 2
5. Which cinematic universe would you like to live in?
Kung Fu Hustle

Image Courtesy of Bruce Chong

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Also -

Submissions for Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2025 are open. We accept both short and feature length Martial Arts and Action Films; for more information head over to our FilmFreeway or feel free to contact us.