After four years of residing in Sofia, I'm still a celebrity. Whether it be walking down Vitosha street or shopping at Fantastico market, most people stop and stare. Not that I'm complaining or anything, because, to be perfectly honest, the attention often feels wonderful; Bulgarians are always friendly toward me and the looks are usually coming from some of the world's most beautiful women. On the other hand, not everyone wants to be noticed all the time — certainly not me.
For instance, because running is a therapeutic sport that helps relieve stress, when I'm in the act of it, there isn't a care in the world. I feel free as a bird flying high in the sky. It's a place where I can easily gather up my thoughts and figure things out. However, when running as a celebrity, the focus to onlookers can interfere with the process. With that said, during the month of October, after discovering a secluded hideaway free of observers located right in my backyard, I got the unbelievable opportunity to work with two of my childhood heroes from the silver screen. Although each experience was liken to a dream come true, both concluded quite differently. Read on...
"You may not be looking
For the promise land
But you might find it anyway."
— Dan Hartman and
Charlie Midnight, 1985
ON A WARM SUMMER AFTERNOON IN 2010, while taking a stroll through the neighborhood, Sarah and I stumbled upon the Military Academy Park of Sofia, located on 82 Evlogi i Hristo Georgiev Boulevard, one block from home.
Established in 1906, the Military Academy Park closed to the public in 1991 after the "change" occurred in Bulgaria. As of 2010, the Military Academy Park was reopened to the public, with little to no fanfare. In effect, the park, which contains a lovely gazebo, theater, and fountain, can often appear deserted, making for the perfect place for running free from my ever-so-present celebrity status.
Reminiscent to a tinier version of Greenbelt Park in Greenbelt, Maryland, where me and my brothers often run, the Military Academy Park, which I've nicknamed the 'Secret Spot', is peaceful and serene, with lots of greenery. There, I can easily kickback, meditate, stretch, dance, sing songs aloud, and on sweltering hot days, take my shirt off without hearing catcalls from female bystanders. Oh, but wait... That was one of the nicer parts about running on the streets.
Furthermore, in addition to zero bystanders, the Military Academy Park provides a naturally paved surface to preserve the old knees, while avoiding injury on Sofia's often uneven pavement or getting hit by a crazy car driver. Because the park strictly forbids food and pets, and is furnished with surveillance cameras and guarded by the Bulgarian military police, it's a safe zone where vandals and stray dogs fear to tread.
One of the best features of the Military Academy Park are 72 steps that trail up to a glorious castle-like structure — quite similar to the famous "Rocky Steps," from the Rocky film series, which lead to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Due to its resemblance, after a typical six mile run around the park's perimeter, I end it with a climb up the stairs. After reaching the top, I raise my hands in victory like Rocky Balboa from that iconic scene in the 1976 film.
"Bring me all the dreams
You thought would never be.
We'll make them all reality."
— Carol Conners and
Ayn Robbins, 1976
SPEAKING OF ROCKY. HAVE YOU EVER HAD something so incredibly awesome happen to you that it feels as if you've flown to the Moon? Well, it recently happened to me on an outstanding October evening, after teaching art and journalism at the American English Academy of Sofia. While grading papers, I received the phone call of a lifetime from a casting agent at Nu Image Studios suggesting that I read for a role in Sylvester Stallone's upcoming third installment of the blockbuster Expendables' film franchise.
The series, which pays homage to old school action movies, features an array of my childhood favorites, such as the aforementioned Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, and my friend from Re-Kill Scott Adkins — just to name a few. But with all those A-listers, you're probably asking, 'why is an agent calling you, O?' Well, believe me, I'd asked myself the same question, before learning that I was up for the part of one of the film's villains, a Somali warlord, and not one of big action heroes. Because of the awareness of all the celebrities appearing in the film, during the audition I was more nervous than a little old lady driving through the Sahara desert on empty. Fortunately, I aced it and got invited back for a second read, which would be in the company of the film's Stallone-appointed director, Australian born newcomer Patrick Hughes. But before I'd meet with him, the casting agent was quite up front about me auditioning side by side with the second runner-up for the part; a 6'5, 300 pound Nigerian dude named Bobby, who moonlights as a DJ in Sofia's popular Sugar nightclub. Bobby was cool and we got along just great. But to be honest, it was strange auditioning alongside the competition. However, due to Bobby's lack of experience, he was more nervous than I was. So much so that he'd confessed to wanting me to win, since I was "experienced," as he put it. His words added confidence, and put an end to my butterflies. So, after giving Bobby some needed encouragement, we went inside for the audition. Director Patrick Hughes had a cool personality, which made for a chill read. But like meeting the competition, the audition style was unusual, as well. You see, after receiving plastic guns, we were instructed to act as if under attack. Because there was no real aggression, it all felt kind of silly, thus assuming my portrayal had come off stiff. But at the end of the day, I was awarded the part of the Somali Warlord, and Bobby would play my right hand henchman.
However, even after winning the main role, receiving an original secretive Expendables 3 script and plane ticket to Varna where it would be shot, learning to shoot prop guns, having my teeth plastered for false ones, and signing a lucrative contract, I still wasn't convinced that I had finally hit the big time. At any given moment, I was expecting Allen Funt to jump out and shout "you're on Candid Camera!" However, two vital signs which said that this was the real thing occurred on the day of meeting with the film's wardrobe and make-up departments. First, I spotted my hero and newly added Expendable Harrison Ford emerging from a limo, and later in the day I would learn that I'd be trading lines with Mel Gibson. It was all so unreal that I had to pinch myself, hard, to be sure I wasn't dreaming.
"In the burning heart
Just about to burst
There's a quest for answers
An unquenchable thirst
In the darkest night
Rising like a spire
In the burning heart
The unmistakable fire"
—Jim Peterik and
Frankie Sullivan, 1985
ON A FRIGID FRIDAY AFTERNOON, TWO DAYS before shooting scenes for The Expendables 3, the studio was requesting a meeting with Sylvester Stallone. I was nervous again, but the world's most wonderful casting director gave me a vote of confidence. After learning that Mr. Stallone was running late, as so not waste time, I was then directed to the costume room, where I grinned to see that my locker was positioned next to Barney's — Mr. Stallone's character in the film.
After meeting stunt doubles for Dolph Lundgrend and Wesley Snipes, another newcomer to The Expendables series, I heard Stallone's familiar drawl outside the dressing room. When he entered, I'd expected an average built person. And even though he was a bit on the short side, he was massive and built similar to a heavy weight boxer — or better still, the incredible Hulk. Pacing back and forth as he spoke to me, Mr. Stallone didn't keep much eye contact. And as surreal as it was being in the same room with my childhood hero — let along working with him — I maintained composure, so not to come off like a starstruck kid. With that said, after getting out the usual meet and greet formalities, the two of us got down to business.
From the start, I sensed that Mr. Stallone had a vision for what the Somali Warlord should look like, which contradicted to what the wardrobe lady had in mind. You see, upon meeting, she mentioned my slight resemblance to Somali actor Barked Abdi, who played the main pirate role in this year's brilliant Captain Phillips. So, her initial idea was to dress me accordingly to that character, which was pretty subtle. But after several hours of changing into various extravagant costumes, including one with a golden uzi, I was transformed into something more fantastical, which, after giving a nod of approval, seemed to have pleased Mr. Stallone. But just as my shuttle was ready to blast off from the station in pursuit of the moon, I was unaware that the mission was already doomed. You see, after leaving the studio and racing Xena down Bulgaria Boulevard, already celebrating with the radio blasted to full volume, I'd arrived home to a phone call from the casting director delivering the worst possible news. Sadly, she relayed that I was no longer in The Expendables 3, further stating that Mr. Stallone regrets I was "too skinny for the part." Immediately after the call, I slumped down in my sofa where I remained for several hours until Sarah arrived. For the next few days, I fell into a deep depression. It was as if my space shuttle had run out of fuel one mile from the Moon, then dropped back down to Earth, exploding on impact.
"Rising up, straight to the top Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance Now I'm not gonna stop Just a man and his will to survive"
— Frankie Sullivan and
Jim Peterik, 1982
THEY SAY, THE ONLY THING THAT TRULY mends a broken heart is finding another true love. Well, that goes the same when getting fired from a job; you go out and find a new one. So, two days after getting canned from The Expendables 3, I got a call from a casting agent requesting me for a part in another upcoming movie called Apocalypse Pompeii. Although it wasn't on the same blockbuster caliber as The Expendables 3, the experience was equally memorable. Okay, you can relax now. I won't keep you in suspense.
After reading and winning the role of 'Pilot', not only did I shoot my scenes this time, I also got the great opportunity to trade lines with another childhood hero, the wonderfully warm and talented John Rhys-Davies, who portrayed 'Gimli' in The Lord of the Rings (2001) and 'Sallah' from Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), one of my all-time favorite films.
Well, the secret is apparently out, because the majority of Apocalypse Pompeii (who's original shooting title was 'Obsidian'), which also stars Adrian Paul of Highlander (1986) fame, was shot inside the Secret Spot, better known as the previously mentioned Military Academy Park of Sofia. However, having utilized this location wasn't so surprising, since, as I stated earlier, the park is quite secluded — a vital film-making element that would put a smile on any director's face.
Speaking of smiles, my one day of shooting — which felt like it went on for weeks — was probably the best 24 hours of my short film career. This was all due to John Rhys-Davies, who was simply one of the most down-to-earth celebrities I'd ever worked with. Upon first meeting the legendary actor inside one of UFO Studio's black pick-up cars, he insisted that I call him on a first name basis, instead of the usual 'mister' and 'sir' I'd initially used. Armed with a great sense of humor and accompanied by his son Tom — who was bestowed with his dad's charming personality — John didn't mind answering questions regarding his lengthy and illustrious career. And being the super-sci-fi-nerd, I didn't mind asking them.
So, next to discussing the days working along side Raiders of the Lost Ark directors George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, as well as friends Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, and Karen Allen, with the latter being described as "a great actress, but an even greater human being,"John smiled fondly when I mentioned that 'Sallah' was my favorite childhood Kenner doll, while further stating that he'd been looking for one to appear on eBay for quite sometime. After hours of discussion, the time was nearing to get down to the business of shooting our scene for Apocalypse Pompeii, which included us flying in a rescue chopper. When suggesting to rehearse our lines, John asked if I were good at improvising. I told him I was probably a better improviser than an actor. He then nodded, snatched the script from my hand, and tore it to pieces. While standing there with a stupid look on my face, John relayed that our entire scene will consist of spontaneous chatter — but never once did he mention the topic of discussion.
Well, not knowing what lines would be thrown at me must have done the trick. Because John's clever plan made the scene appear quite natural. But most importantly, his plan made me look like a pretty decent actor working alongside one of the greatest. After the scene wrapped, John Cappilla, the film's line producer, relayed to the other John, "we'll make a star out of Owen, yet!"
"Getting strong now
Won't be long now
Getting strong now"
— Carol Conners and
Ayn Robbins, 1976
OCTOBER TURNED TO NOVEMBER, AND I found myself once again running free in the Secret Spot. After two miles, my thoughts were clear of debris. I'd gained a new found understanding of my unfortunate termination from The Expendables 3 film, and come to the conclusion that Hollywood is a business and Mr. Stallone had a job to do — a job that he's done quite proficiently for many years. If not, he wouldn't be considered one of the greatest actors of the last century. With that said, at some point during the fitting process, the veteran movie maker knew that I didn't fit the part of the Somali Warlord — particularly, the big scary kind for your run-of-the-mill action flick. So, he did what he had to do in order to secure a success.
The final lap was completed and the part where I climb the steps that lead to the castle was approaching. I still thought of my man Rocky Balboa. The film's theme song continued to play in my head. And when I got to the top of the stairs, I still raised my hands in victory. You see, despite everything that went down, there was no love lost. I still consider Rocky to be one the greatest films ever made and Mr. Stallone to be one of the world's finest actors. Moreover, I realized there was no longer any reason to hold my head down in shame. Whether having filmed the scene or not, I still won the role and no one can take that away. Besides, how many people can say they were fired by the Italian Stallion? Not many, I assume. But after lowering my hands, and wiping away the sweat from my brow, there was still one particular moment regarding The Expendables 3 incident that didn't sit too well. When Mr. Stallone realized that I didn't fit the part, it would have been cool had he just done the human thing by simply telling me himself. Coming from an actor that I've long admired and respected, would have made the situation a whole lot better. Be seeing you. O
