Commando Meets Ninja: Our Interview with Director Ben Combes!

The 80s are BACK! Whether it be music, fashion, TV shows or even movies, the greatest decade is making a big comeback! Nothing can beat the ACTION movies that featured our boss Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities like Kurt Russell, Jean Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris and Sylvester Stallone. That being said, when we saw the name of a fan film called “Commando Ninja” on a Youtube trailer, we had to see it right away! For a second, I though I was watching a sequel to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movie Commando from 1985, but it gets crazier! I just had an interview with the director himself, Ben Combes, on the upcoming short film Commando Ninja!

TheArnoldFans: Hey Ben, thank you for joining us. Let’s talk Commando Ninja!

Ben Combes: Hey Shahi, thank you very much for having me !! We are working hard on the movie right now!

TheArnoldFans: Commando Ninja sounds like a kickass title. What is the story about?

 Ben Combes: Thanks ! That title brings together my 2 favorite 80's action movies : Commando and American Ninja. Commando Ninja is an over-the-top action comedy, tribute to the 80's action hero movies. The story follows a Vietnam Green Beret vet, half Commando, half Ninja, whose daughter has been abducted by a secret Ninja Organization, led by a Central-American dictator, who wants to create a new-world order... through time.

 

 TheArnoldFans: What inspired you to create this film?

 Ben Combes: The project came to life 7 years ago I began to have that idea of making my tribute to the 80’s Action Heroes, for wich I had an obsession since my childhood because of my father VHS. We shot some tests with friends, but didn’t have the skills yet. Then Drive, Far Cry  Blood Dragon, Kung Fury, Expandables and Turbo Kid dropped, the 80’s comeback era was here, I met Eric Carlesi, our Main Actor, and listen to Ogre awesome soundtracks. Everything was here to start the movie! 

I was inspired by my favorite movies that I watch each year, like Commando, Rambo, Predator, Terminator, American Ninja, 3 Ninjas, Home Alone, Mad Max, Kickboxer, Karate Kid...

TheArnoldFans: How long is the film? Where was this filmed?

Ben Combes: The film will be 45 minutes long, and it's entirely shot around my home city Montpellier, in the south of France.

TheArnoldFans: When is the release date? What media platforms will this be available in?

Ben Combes: We hope to release the movie around the month of October, it will be available for free on my Youtube Channel. You will also be able to buy some nice Bluray with Extra Bonus and VHS on our Shop!

TheArnoldFans: For fans of the film, any merchandising ideas? Where can one purchase a poster or other items?

Ben Combes: Hey, so it's not done yet, but we will open an online shop when everything will be done. You'll be able to purchase the rewards from the kickstarter, tee-shirts, posters, bl-rays, VHS.... and even exclusive Action Figures!!

TheArnoldFans: Have you reached out to Arnold Schwarzenegger or any 80s action stars for some type of cameo?

Ben Combes: Noooo, this is impossible.

TheArnoldFans: I know there is a movie called Kung Fury. Would you say this is similar to it?

Ben Combes: Kung Fury was a huge source of motivation, when I saw their success on youtube I was really happy to see that there were a lot of people who had the same nostalgia for the 80's than us. It's not similar because we are not doing a parody, and it's all shot on real locations with practical effects. But it's similar in the way that it's an independent movie tribute to the 80's action movies.

TheArnoldFans: What other projects are you working on?

Ben Combes: I’m a video editor at Ubisoft since 9 years now, so I'm actually working on Beyond Good & Evil 2 and Space Junkies (a VR game).  About my personal projects, I got a lot to do after Commando Ninja, but the priority is to finish this one!

TheArnoldFans: What is your top 5 Arnold Schwarzenegger movies?

Ben Combes:
Commando
Predator
Terminator 2
Total Recall
Conan

TheArnoldFans: How can the fans of the film follow you on social media?

Ben Combes: On our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/bencombes1986/

TheArnoldFans: Thank you again for taking the time to interview with us, Ben. We wish you the success of this upcoming film!

Ben Combes: Thanks very much to you also. I love your page!

So ArnoldFans, there you have it! This movie will be coming soon later this year! The question is, will there be a sequel? We shall see!

For more information on this action-packed film and on all the characters, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/304054692/commando-ninja