The Man Who Wasn't Snakehead..

Meeting Steven Berkoff

I narrowly avoided working with Steven Berkoff some seven years ago, when he was short-listed to play the villainous Snakehead in a film wot I wrote: 'The Medallion'. His indefatigable manager, Louisa Spring, had recommended him. (She also provided us with Gimli himself, John Rhys-Davies, to play Hammerstock-Smythe).

This lion of the English stage had proved himself a worthy foe for Eddie Murphy in 'Beverly Hills Cop', Sylvester Stallone in 'Rambo', Roger Moore's James Bond in 'Octopussy'... I felt he would be a worthy 'Snakehead' for Jackie Chan to contend with in 'Medallion'. We had a few 'phone conversations, and director Gordon Chan met Berkoff in London, but it was not to be. The revered thespian was preparing a new play, and our schedules clashed.

Years later, Steven is in Hong Kong with his wonderful stage version of the Brando classic 'On The Waterfront'', and, thanks again to Louisa, Elizabeth and I met him for coffee at the Grand Hyatt. Berkoff's ferocious screen presence belies his immense personal charm; he doesn't mince words or suffer fools, but he is great company.

I gave him some Dragon Dynasty titles I thought he would enjoy (''Dog Bite Dog' and 'Battle of the Warriors AKA 'Battle of Wits) and also Lu Chuan's incredible 'Çity of Life and Death'.

Thanks to Ms Spring for making the introduction. Maybe we may yet find something to work on together!