Liam Neeson is one of those actors who hardly needs an introduction. The Hollywood legend has an extensive resume with its fair share of notable projects. However, for many moviegoers, he’ll always be ex-CIA operative Bryan Mills from the movie franchise Taken. Well, if you enjoyed him in that role, allow me to introduce you to Mongoose, officially hitting theaters on October 30.
Written by Thomas Evans and directed by Mark Vanselow, Mongoose follows Neeson’s Ryan Flanagan, a veteran of the Army Special Forces, who finds himself in a world of trouble when he’s suspected of a gruesome crime that he didn’t commit. Rather than face wrongful persecution, he hits the road in a Ford Mustang Shelby Super Snake and goes on an action-packed thrill ride, relying on the kindness of his fellow veterans as he tries to escape law enforcement.
Already detailed in the Mongoose review, the film is Neeson’s best since the very first Taken. It meets the bar for several reasons; however, one thing that stands out is the fact that the excitement doesn’t solely rely on fight sequences, but rather Neeson’s suped-up driving. It makes the action sequences seem fitting for a legend of his stature at the remarkable age of 74.
All that being said, I was given the honor of speaking with not only Neeson, but also Vanselow and other star of the film, Michael Chiklis, ahead of its premiere. The conversation was enlightening, to say the least. Vanselow spent nearly 30 years being Neeson’s stunt double in movies (including Taken), and Mongoose serves as his full-length feature directorial debut. So there’s a lot of history between the two men. And The Shield’s Vic Mackey, better known as Chiklis, was fun to discuss the movie with, as he expressed the only thing from his Mongoose wishlist that wasn’t fulfilled.
From Stunt Double to Fantastic First-Time Director
Photo Credit: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Men’s Journal: Mark and Liam, what made you two decide to join forces on Mongoose? And how was the dynamic on set now that Mark was directing you, Liam?
Neeson: Well, the foundation stone is the script. Bart [Rosenblatt] and Al [Corley] were two producers we’ve worked with before. They’re pals; they sent Mark the script. Mark approached me, as far as I can recall. Read it and thought, ‘This is really good.’ Mark and I, we’ve worked together for years. This is our 30th project together. Mark’s first time at the helm. And I totally trusted Mark. I knew it was a good fit in many aspects.
But the foundation stone was the script and trust. I trust Mark, and he’s a pal.
Men’s Journal: And Michael, what brought you to the project?
Chiklis: Well, a couple of things. A dear friend of mine who’s the producer of the movie, Bart Rosenblatt, we’ve been wanting to work together for years. And he reached out to me about it. When I read it, it reminded me of movies that I grew up with in the 70s, like Bullitt, and Vanishing Point, and Smokey and the Bandit movies.
And I knew that Liam would be great in it. It was a really good cast, fun action picture. Playing the antagonist, that’s fun to get behind.
Men’s Journal: And Mark, having spent so many years as Liam’s stunt double, I have to ask. What was your favorite part of serving in that role for Liam, and which movie did you find the most difficult to film?
Vanselow: I think from the very beginning, the support that I got from Liam. It’s hard to connect with somebody early in your career, and Liam’s always supported me.
I think the hardest thing was the first Taken movie. We worked together on that in France, and working with the team, they were amazing. The French team and director Pierre [Morel]. But, you know, there was a lot going on in that movie. A little bit of a language barrier ‘cause I sadly don’t speak French, but everybody in France speaks English. [Laughing] That was challenging, and it was the first time we [Mark and Liam] really got to spend a lot of time together and kind of working things out.
Men’s Journal: And how did you feel about stepping into the director’s chair this time around?
Vanselow: I thought it was amazing. You work a little bit as a stunt performer, your way up to second unit directing, where you’re directing on the director’s vision. And creating the action around what they want. And so now it was time for me to kind of pick and choose what I’m trying to say. It was a lot of fun to be able to do that.
The Moment that Will Lead Neeson to Say “That’s Enough” to Classic Action Roles
Photo Credit: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Men’s Journal: Now, Liam, respectfully, you’re 74, Mike is 63, and Ving [Rhames] is 67. And this is one of the best action movies I’ve seen this year. That said, do you think Mongoose serves as a reminder to people not to put age limitations on the genre?
Neeson: I trust my own inner radar. I know myself, what I think audiences are going to believe… And I think if that day came, I would stop. Do you know? If I think I’m physically capable, which I do at the moment, thanks be to God, I’m thinking of physical fight stuff, which I still enjoy doing. As long as it’s not too complicated. But I trust my own inner self to think, ‘Okay, that’s enough. You know, audiences are not going to believe that’s me.’ So that’ll be the end.’
Men’s Journal: Yeah. I was going to ask about the fight sequences. I know that from your days of amateur boxing, you love those. Did you enjoy the fight sequences or the driving more this time around?
Neeson: Well, I’m not a driver. I’m not into cars. Never have been. The physical stuff I’m more comfortable with than the action stuff in a car.
Why Chiklis Had Envy in ‘Mongoose’
Men’s Journal: Now, Michael, about the movie —
Chiklis: — I haven’t seen it yet. But you know, I love Liam, and I did have envy in this movie because I didn’t get to get in one of those cars, damn it. And I’m good. [Laughing] I’m good behind the wheel, and I wanted to get behind one of those Shelby Cobras and drive after his ass, but I couldn’t do it.
Men’s Journal: [Laughing] That actually brings me to my point. How was that filming an action movie where you’re not in much of the action?
Chiklis: Yeah, I’m sort of confined to this one location throughout the picture, and that was very much the challenge for me in this movie, because 90% of my work is to an X off camera, you know. Happily, Liam was a champion, and he came in and did all of his off-camera with me when we actually spoke directly to each other [in the movie], which was incredibly helpful. And I didn’t ask him to. He did that of his own volition. So I was thrilled that he did that. But the rest of it was all just in a box.
Neeson: Oh my gosh. That’s the very least I could do. Especially [with] someone of Michael’s standing. He’s a terrific actor.
Men’s Journal: Nice. And you know, speaking of Liam, Michael, this is the first time you’ve worked with him, Ving, and Marisa [Tomei]? You’ve all been in the business a long time. How did it feel to finally cross paths in a project? Were you like, ‘About time?’
Chiklis: Yeah, particularly with Marissa and I because, even though we have nothing together in the movie, which is a drag, at least we’ll be in a movie together. I went to college with her at Boston University. So, I’ve known her, how long is it? A long time. [Laughing]
And I said to her, ‘My God, when are we actually going to be able to trade chops, you know, face to face?’ That’ll be fantastic. But yeah, I mean, that’s this high diddly D, an actor’s life for me, right? I’ve been doing this a very long time, and it’s so interesting. I’ve worked with actors once and never seen them again. 40 years of work.
With that, make sure you go to the theater to see Mongoose. I, for one, wouldn’t mind a sequel.
