In “Explosion Jones” the 12 minute animated shorts steaming series produced by Robert Rodriguez’s El Rey Network’s studios are set firmly in my favorite movie era, the 1980’s.
It’s remarkably effective as both a over-the-top lampoon of the 80’s Acton films I loved growing up and a love letter to the genre and the actors I admire greatly!
Bruce “Explosion” Jones (Madsen) is an ex-special forces commando and rouge detective. He’s also a widowed single dad trying his best to raise a precocious daughter. In the series, Jones demonstrates why he earned his moniker. When he’s on the case he is full throttle. Makes Lethal Weapons Sgt. Riggs look like a mall cop by comparison.
The plots are just as kick ass as Jones and the genre it lovingly and gleefully embraces. Russians steal a nuclear weapon or kidnaps the Presidents daughter? Explosion Jones is the man you want!
I got the chance to sit down with the all the principals at the Explosion Jones press room (kudos to El Rey for the craft services for press and the nice little Swag bags) and was thoroughly impressed by the experience.
Micheal Madsen (Bruce “Explosion” Jones) has a long and storied career I love! Typically he’s playing a sociopathic villain like his star turn in Reservoir Dogs as Mr. White. Right off the bat he was honest about how he felt about being typecast as the villain
“Im tired of playing the villain. Donnie Brasco, Kill Bill. I’ve done a lot of bad things man. I’m a little sick of it. I’ve got seven kids, you know what they ask me? “Who did you kill today daddy?”
He shared at the Explosion Jones roundtable interview how he got the role.
“Robert (Rodriguez) calls me while I’m driving down the 404 tells me about the show and no reading just offers me the role. So I say Fuck yeah! This time I get to be the hero.”
It’s remarkable stuff see his interview in full here-
Vivica A. Fox (Ms.Jones) is straight up a force of nature! She’s another hero of mine in that her roles have always been strong black women with a code who like Carl Weathers do not play when crossed. A Tarantino alum like Madsen, she was attracted to the project by Robert Rodriguez and the faith she shares in his unique vision. We bonded over her desire to tell the story of Whitney Huston and her daughter Bobbi. With the level of acting she’s always displayed and currently displays on Empire, I truly hope she gets her wish.
In her interview below. she spells out her take on the role of “Mrs. Jones” and the unique perspective of her character.
You can’t miss her round table interview-
My highlight of New York City Comic Con was meeting Carl Weathers (Duke Firestorm). I’ve admired him over thirty years and his films were a huge part of my childhood. Here was a powerful black man who played by his own rules with intelligence, dignity and a no nonsense approach.
When I met him He asked, “What is the Good Men Project?” The short answer is a conversation to help define what a “good man” is in the 21st Century. When I asked him his definition, his answer was as straight forward as I always remember him being.
Check the video-
We had a break at the roundtable and when he returned he spoke at length about Explosion Jones. Why there is a renaissance of the 80’s Action Genre? What attracts him to a role, and his take on the difference between his era of action films and the current superhero landscape.
You’ll find this fascinating take on the craft of acting and what motivates him below-
I thank him for my Epic handshake moment. If you don’t know to what I refer check this link. I fanboyed like crazy! Seriously, I can check it off my my bucket list.
Explosion Jones creators, Micheal Williams & Mike Parker sum up why this hilarious and very special show exists, and how creativity is encouraged by El Rey’s head Robert Rodriguez, check their interview below –
If you are at all a fan of the 80’s action genre and you enjoy the work from this stellar ensemble of actors in the past? Explosion Jones is a no-brained, it needs to make it into you’re streaming que! Fingers crossed, it will be expanded. You WILL want more once you binge on the first season!
Did I mention Danny Trejo is also a part of the cast? Yep. “Machete” film star Trejo is a regular as is James Hong (“The Hangover” “Community”).
Here is the trailer which isn’t as nearly as bonkers as this show gets, but if you’re like me, you appreciate the 80’s action movie tropes!
Season one is on go90. Look for new episodes September 5th 2017!
Art credit – author/El Rey