Temuera Morrison pumps up for action role

Temuera Morrison is hitting the gym to prepare for a new action role. Photo / Doug Sherring

Hollywood movie star Temuera Morrison is pumping up for his next action movie.

He admits it has been a tough 12 months with the film industry suffering from the worldwide economic decline and the recent death of his uncle, Sir Howard Morrison.

However, Morrison has been keeping himself busy with the release of an autobiography on his life and now he has a new film on the go.

The feature film called Tracker stars Morrison, alongside English actor Ray Winstone. The film is set in 1903. Winstone plays an ex-Boer war guerilla in New Zealand who is sent out to bring back a Maori (Morrison) accused of killing a British soldier. Gradually, they grow to know and respect one another.

Morrison said the film would be shot on location in Queenstown and he was now having to get into shape for the rigours of filming.

"It's back to the grindstone again, working out.

"It's a physical movie. I've got two weeks to get ready, but I've done it before. I'm just lucky it doesn't take long for my body to get into shape," he said.

"This is probably the hardest part of doing films - making sure that I'm physically and mentally ready."

Morrison said his training schedule consisted of a daily two-hour training routine of running and weights.

Morrison said he was looking forward to working with British film and television actor Winstone.

"It will be good. He is a great actor and he has done some brilliant work. I've had the opportunity to work with some great people. I'm sure we will feed off each other."

Winstone is mostly known for his tough guy roles, beginning with Carlin in the 1979 film Scum.

He is also a voiceover actor and more recently branched out into film production. His film resume includes Nil by Mouth, Sexy Beast, Cold Mountain, King Arthur, The Proposition, The Departed, Beowulf and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Morrison said he had received a call from fellow Hollywood actor, Rotorua's Cliff Curtis, congratulating him on his latest role.

"We often keep in touch with each other. Right now he is living in San Francisco doing a TV series, Trauma."