Scott Adkins, photographed exclusively for Empire in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, on 24 March 2022.
PHOTOGRAPHY HAMISH BROWN
SCOTT ADKINS
HAS SMASHED HIS BODY AGAINSTCONCRETE
AND SPLINTERED HIS SHINS.
He’s drop-kicked men on moving motorcycles, twisted his back unleashing outrageous flips, and given as good as he’s got in punishing fist-fights (and we do mean punishing, considering he once accidentally ripped Dolph Lundgren’s bicep tendon clean from the bone). He regularly spends nights awake, too sore from shooting action sequences to sleep, with hours ticking until it’s time to wake up and do it all again. “And all that has been the easy part,” he grins, before vaulting over a park bench to the gasps of nearby dog-walkers.
It’s a sunny day in Sutton Coldfield, the Midlands town the cult hero calls home, where our Empire photo shoot is drawing intrigued looks. “Who’s that?” one passer-by enquires. “Scott Adkins,” Empire informs them, as the actor insists on taking the shot again, this time sailing over the bench with a kung-fu kick. “He’s very impressive!” the passer-by replies, before gingerly adding: “... Should I know who he is?”
And, well, isn’t that the question?