Max Huang on playing Kung Lao in the new ‘Mortal Kombat’ film series and advocating for greater Asian representation in international cinema

This intense showdown demanded complete trust with his co-actor, a powerful friendship that dates back to a freezing 2013 film set in a dusty Chinese basement. “When I heard Ludi would play Liu Kang, I wasn't worried at all about portraying the brotherhood between them, because by then we were already like brothers,” Huang warmly shares.

The razor-rimmed hat he famously wields on screen is treated not merely as a prop, but as a dynamic extension of the character’s essence. “The hat and the fire both feel very alive in this scene, and they add significantly to the dynamic of the fight,” he emphasises.

Read more: Beyond the fatal blow: Ludi Lin on ‘Mortal Kombat II’, Stephen Chow and the evolution of the Asian hero

Beyond the bloody arenas of Mortal Kombat, the actor’s career is accelerating steadily on multiple international fronts. He is currently stationed in Cairo, Egypt, actively promoting his latest feature film, 7 Dogs.

In this new project, Huang steps into the role of the villain alongside a cast that includes Martin Lawrence and Monica Bellucci. The film is helmed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the directors behind the hit Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Meanwhile, the end of May saw the successful launch of his self-produced documentary mini-series on YouTube, titled Max Huang: Life of Action. Looking further ahead, he is developing an original feature film where he will star as the lead and serve as the action director.

This steady rise in cinema is anchored by a lifelong dedication to martial arts that began far away from the bright lights of Hollywood. Growing up in Germany within a classical music family, Huang’s initial environment was defined by symphonies rather than stunts.

However, this auditory upbringing profoundly influenced his physical craft, teaching him the underlying mechanics of rhythm, timing and movement. “Music has not only shaped the way I look at martial arts, but also the way I look at life in general,” Huang reflects.

“To me, music is life. I can find it in everything,” he muses. His life’s trajectory shifted dramatically after he watched the film Shaolin Temple starring Jet Li, sparking an obsession that would define his youth.

He became thoroughly devoted to the discipline, building a small Buddha shrine in his bedroom with a Bruce Lee poster hanging reverently above it. Long before he had ever set foot in China, the young martial artist would meditate diligently in this space before each training session.

The true turning point arrived at the age of fourteen, when his grandmother took him to the legendary Shaolin Temple for formal kung fu training. “When my grandmother—God bless her—travelled to Shaolin with me, I truly felt like I was living the dream,” he recalls.

Rather than experiencing a jarring culture shock, the rigorous reality perfectly matched his vivid imagination, leading him to fully romanticise the process. “At one point I was training for eight hours a day, to the extent that practising the movements became a transcendental experience,” he explains.

Read more: Bruce Lee and 12 more Hong Kong action stars who conquered the world

This spiritual immersion kept him incredibly grounded, forging an unwavering inner discipline that he carries into his everyday life. “It has instilled a certain discipline in me, because being a martial artist is a lifestyle, and I carry myself that way every day,” he asserts.

This relentless dedication eventually led him to the competitive sporting arena, where he proudly represented the German national wushu team. Competing on this massive international stage taught him the rigorous professionalism required to be perfectly ready on the day that truly matters.

“During that preparation, you have to shut yourself off from the world and focus entirely on that one goal,” he notes.

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Huang’s eventual transition into the film industry is a striking testament to his sheer willpower and an absolute refusal to be ignored. In 2010, after hearing Jackie Chan was visiting Berlin to promote The Karate Kid, he bought a train ticket and waited for six hours behind the red carpet.

Clutching a self-edited demo reel burned onto a DVD, he hoped against all odds to hand his life’s work directly to his cinematic idol. While Chan was too heavily guarded, Huang managed to shout out and boldly thrust the disc into the hands of a young Jaden Smith.

“My dream was stronger than any fear of rejection or doubt,” Huang says, reflecting on the audacious leap of faith that ultimately changed his path. About a month later, while studying martial arts and Mandarin in Shanghai, he received an email from the Jackie Chan Stunt Team’s coordinator praising his reel.

“I jumped on the bed in my tiny dormitory room, crying with happiness and excitement,” he remembers vividly. This connection earned him a spot on the elite stunt team, where he spent over a decade working on major productions like Chinese Zodiac and The Foreigner.

Through working closely with this elite group, Huang learned the crucial cinematic lesson that in this industry, results speak much louder than pitches. “Working within this elite stunt team taught me that talk is cheap, but results matter,” he notes with firm conviction.

He constantly strives to deliver his absolute best on set, understanding deeply that audiences respond to a truly powerful final performance. “Always perform at your highest level, because film is forever,” he advises.

Despite achieving immense success in stunt work, Huang hungered for the deeper vulnerability and storytelling expression that dramatic acting provides. “It is the hunger of the artist to find truth within the unexplored,” he eloquently states.

The primary catalyst for this career transition came when he finally started listening to his persistent inner voice telling him that acting was what he truly wanted to do. Seeking to master this new craft, he proactively reached out to Larry Moss, an esteemed acting coach who has mentored Hollywood heavyweights like Leonardo DiCaprio.

Today, Huang fuses his elite physical pedigree with raw emotional depth, striving to make physical storytelling and dramatic acting completely indistinguishable on screen. He employs a unique fight philosophy on set, which he passionately refers to as “Creating Controlled Chaos”.

“The idea behind it is basically to make something that is choreographed feel unchoreographed,” he explains. He likens this highly reactive, spontaneous method to jazz musicians jamming with one another in unscripted harmony.

Looking ahead, Huang remains steadfast in his ambitious mission to champion diverse narratives and establish himself as a leading man in feature films over the next two years. He desires to see far more Asian actors cast as leads in international films, taking on dynamic roles that transcend specific descent descriptions.

“We still have a long way to go, but I keep fighting for it,” he affirms with quiet, unshakeable determination. Despite his achievements and growing fame, he maintains the profound humility instilled in him during his early days training at the temple.

When asked what his fourteen-year-old self would think of his current global platform, Huang remains remarkably grounded and focused. “I don't look back, to be honest, and if anything, I don't feel proud—I feel blessed,” he says.

His authentic martial arts spirit remains deeply embedded in his blood, promising a career defined by rigorous discipline, hard work and endless gratitude. With an unwavering work ethic and an unparalleled command of physical storytelling, Max Huang is carving out a legacy that will undoubtedly continue to reshape the international action landscape.

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