Hong Kong actor Nick Cheung is venturing into unfamiliar territory with his latest role in the upcoming production Saving Brother Ryan, which is currently being shot in Malaysia.
The 61-year-old star plays a multi-faceted underworld figure whose actions are shaped by the pressures of relationships and life.
“He may seem like a villain at first glance, but it actually goes deeper. His personality is complex, and he may act in certain ways people might not expect,” he said during an interview on the film’s set in Kuala Lumpur.
Cheung also sports long hair for the role, a departure from his usual screen image. But for the actor, such changes are part of the appeal of filmmaking.
“Making films is about doing things you’re not used to,” he said.
Directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Ching Po, Saving Brother Ryan follows a group of brothers whose bond is shattered by tragedy and betrayal.
When a personal mission reunites them 20 years later, it sets them on a dangerous path towards a final confrontation.
The film explores the darker side of human nature, with Cheung describing his character as one of the most extreme he has ever played.
“I don’t even know how to exaggerate it because it has already gone beyond the roles I’ve played in the past,” he said.
The demanding production has also tested Cheung off-screen; describing himself as a “day person” he’s had to adjust to numerous night shoots.
“Filming requires a lot of energy, so you have to be in your best condition. I really want to get enough sleep, but no matter how hard I try, I just can’t fall asleep during the day,” he lamented.
Major transformations
Cheung isn’t the only cast member to undergo a striking transformation for Saving Brother Ryan.
Taiwanese actors Ethan Juan, Joseph Chang, Troy Liu and Vivian Sung have each adopted distinctive looks to fit their respective characters.
For his role as the trusted personal driver of a mob boss, Juan, 43, donned a messy, long mullet for a more rugged appearance.
Chang, 42, plays a gang member and has gone for a more macho look, complete with eight temporary tattoos on his arm.
“I even have Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants tattoo,” he said.
Meanwhile, Liu, 23, traded his luscious locks for a buzz cut to play a timid and socially awkward “boy”.
“Although he seems tough and difficult to approach, he actually has a softer side to him,” the actor said of his character.
Sung, 33, takes perhaps the most striking approach, adopting a punk-inspired look for her role as a black market broker who operates in the grey area between right and wrong.
Her transformation includes bleached eyebrows as well as lip and nose piercings – a far cry from her usual feminine image.
Same country, new experiences
Saving Brother Ryan is being filmed entirely in Malaysia, with locations spanning the Klang Valley, Melaka and beyond.
Production is expected to wrap up in mid-October.
While the cast members have previously worked in the country, the current production has offered each of them a unique experience.
Liu, who’s returning to Malaysia for the second time to film, said his most memorable moment so far came over dinner with the cast and crew.
“We discussed how we felt about being in Malaysia, what we’re looking forward to, which scenes we’re excited about and more.
“It was so relaxing and joyful... I’m lucky to be surrounded by these senior actors and the director,” he said.
Juan, however, had lesser time to settle in before being thrown into some of the film’s biggest scenes.
“As soon as I arrived, director Wong showed me Nick’s scenes. After marvelling at the footage, he said I immediately had to shoot some major scenes, and I thought to myself, ‘How did this happen?’,” he recalled, laughing.
Nevertheless, Juan has found time to frequent a local gym.
“Whenever I’m not filming, I’ll exercise at the gym. I didn’t expect the owner not to charge me,” he beamed.
Sung, who previously spent three months filming a period production called The Age Of Goodbyes in Malaysia last year, said Saving Brother Ryan has allowed her to experience a different side of the country.
“Back then, I had to wear cheongsams all the time, and it was really hot because filming took place mostly during the day. I’m mostly filming at night this time, and the weather is much more comfortable,” she added.
Bonding through the chaos
Saving Brother Ryan doesn’t hold back on the action.
In fact, Chang said he was thrown straight into the intensity of the movie, with the director asking him to film a major scene almost immediately after he arrived in Malaysia.
“I hadn’t prepared myself to shoot such an intense scene so soon, but it helped me get into character fast,” he added.
The actor remained tight-lipped about his character’s motivations, offering only a cryptic description: “He originally cared about two things, and in the end, he only cared about one.”
Cheung couldn’t help but joke: “His character really pissed me off when I read the script!”
Last month, Juan and Cheung were spotted filming a heated exchange at Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.
Having previously worked together on Wolf Hiding (2023) and Go For Broke (2024), the pair naturally grew closer with their latest collaboration.
“I was nervous the first two times, but after the third time, it feels like we’re already family now,” he said.
Cheung said he was impressed by Juan’s performance for Saving Brother Ryan, adding: “His performance this time is greater than in our past two films.”
For Sung, who’s working with Cheung for the first time, their introduction was rather amusing.
“When I first saw him, I was actually a little frightened by his appearance because he was covered in blood!
"But after the director yelled, ‘Cut’, Nick walked over and casually asked what we all wanted to eat,” she recalled.
Despite its heavy themes, the cast sees Saving Brother Ryan as a story ultimately driven by emotion and human connection.
“It’s a story of how everyone does certain things for each other and forms connections with one another,” Liu said.
Cheung agreed, saying the cast bonded quickly as each character has a distinctive story and meaningful relationships with the others.
“When we met on set, it felt like we were already quite close,” he said.
