Justin Lin Combined The Heart Of Indie Filmmaking With Blockbuster Adventure For New Docudrama Last Days

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Ben Ripley wrote and directed Last Days, a film based on the real story of John Allen Chau. In 2018, Chau journeyed to North Sentinel Island hoping to convert the tribe living there. As the title suggests, the trip proved fatal. The film explores the tragic and avoidable circumstances of his death, presenting perspectives from both his father, Patrick (played by Ken Leung), and Meera (Radhika Apte), an Indian police officer who tried desperately to prevent him from going and keep him safe.

Liam Crowley of ScreenRant interviewed Chau, Yang, and Apte about their experiences making Last Days. Lin discussed how he used his background in both independent and large-scale filmmaking to create the movie, and hinted at his next project with Keanu Reeves. Yang shared details about a trip to Tulsa that helped him connect with Chau, and Apte described the differences between working on Hollywood films and Indian cinema.

How Justin Lin Found Himself In John Allen Chau’s Story

ScreenRant asked why filmmakers decided to adapt this story now, considering it originally came out in 2018 and the new version is being released in 2025. They expressed that the film was deeply moving and resonated with them personally.

To be honest, I’m not sure if now is the best moment. When it comes to independent films and filmmaking, I don’t think you choose the timing – it chooses you.

I remember being at the airport in 2018 when I first heard the story, and it really affected me. Seeing the banners with John Allen Chau’s name and age – 26 – made me stop and think. I realized he was someone’s son, someone’s brother. I was ashamed of how quickly I’d initially judged and dismissed him; it bothered me a lot.

I didn’t truly understand John until I read an article by Alex Perry, which offered insight into him through his father, Patrick. It was deeply affecting and sparked my desire to tell his story. For me, it wasn’t about uncovering the facts, but about connecting with John as a person. That’s what began this journey, which ultimately took three years, required putting everything else aside, and involved traveling to five countries to film in just 38 days. I was fortunate to have the support of collaborators from all stages of my 23-year filmmaking career, who came from around the world to help bring this film to life.

ScreenRant: At what point in the production process did you start to think like John, if at all?

Justin Lin and Ben Ripley spent nearly two years developing the script. Lin felt the first character he truly connected with was Mira, the Indian police officer, as her perspective on the world resonated most with his own.

I connected with Patrick, the father, especially because I have a teenage son myself. As a parent, you naturally want to shield your kids from hurt and make things easier for them. But sometimes, we try to protect them based on what we think is best, rather than letting them experience things in their own time. I think that can lead to lost opportunities and heartbreaking moments. It’s a common struggle – I see it with my own son, too.

As a reviewer, I was really struck by how much effort went into understanding each character. Honestly, the cast was phenomenal, and that’s where the movie truly shines. It wasn’t about flashy visuals or big scenes; it was about creating real, believable people and watching them interact, develop, and simply live their lives. Ninety percent of what makes this film work isn’t what you see, it’s how those characters feel – how fully realized they are.

Hollywood Heavyweights Like Fast Five & Indie Projects Like Last Days Are Important Lessons

ScreenRant asked about returning to independent films after working on big Hollywood franchises. They noted that Hollywood often involves balancing personal projects with commercial ones, and wanted to know how the actor manages to switch between these different types of films.

You know, it’s funny looking back. I started out with ‘Better Luck Tomorrow,’ which was made on a shoestring – basically funded by credit cards and about $250,000! That little film opened so many doors for me. Honestly, growing up, action movies weren’t even on my radar. But I decided to give it a shot, and surprisingly, I really enjoyed the process. It kind of just… happened!

I realized I grew up largely independent, so I wanted to experiment with a more straightforward, episodic style of filmmaking. That led me to discover the difficulties involved, and ultimately, this short film helped me learn to develop my own unique approach and understanding of what it takes to be a director.

I initially expected to return to making small, independent films. But I’ve been lucky enough to work on larger, blockbuster projects, and surprisingly, those experiences felt similar to working on indies because of the talented people involved. I think being known as someone who started with independent films meant people treated me a certain way. Now, with some success, I’m able to build strong working relationships that are now a key part of how I make movies.

I’ve often been told to reciprocate favors, but honestly, that thought makes it even harder to face the day. Even on big-budget films, I feel the need to be actively involved from the start. There have been times when, without a script even finished, I’ve had to rally a crew of 200 people first thing in the morning to discuss our plans and designs. That drive comes from my background in independent filmmaking, and it’s been a guiding force throughout my career.

ScreenRant asked if the success of Fast Five changed action movies forever. They also inquired about the budget for Fast 11, which Louis is now directing, and wondered if it could be made more affordably.

I don’t think I’m the right person to answer that. Everyone approaches filmmaking in their own way, and at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to tell a story in about two hours.

When I decided to make Last Days, I initially planned a small, six-person crew and a six-month shoot. However, as the script evolved, it became clear the story – heavily inspired by Hollywood adventures – needed a much larger scope. Since I didn’t have the budget for that, I had to combine everything I knew from making independent films, big-budget movies, and television to film it quickly – 38 days across five countries – and still achieve the epic feel we wanted.

Every project feels unique, and that’s what I enjoy most about my work. Even though I’m in my fifties, each new undertaking still feels like a fresh start with its own set of obstacles. The key is finding the right team to collaborate with and bring that story to life.

Justin Lin Addresses Keanu Reeves’ Involvement In Last Days & The Future Of BRZRKR

Custom Image by Robert Wood

ScreenRant asked about the upcoming BRZRKR project, starring Keanu Reeves, which I’m directing. They wanted to know about the scale of the project and if I’d had a chance to read the script written by Mattson Tomlin.

Justin Lin, Keanu Reeves, and I have a long-standing working relationship. I’m incredibly grateful to have been included in this project, which really began with Keanu’s vision. Right now, I’m prioritizing projects where we can work quickly and effectively, and this one is definitely a favorite.

Working with Keanu has been unique – I usually join projects already established by someone else. It’s a challenge to respect their vision while bringing it to life on screen. I feel lucky to collaborate with such talented people, and I’m excited about what the future holds for me as a director.

ScreenRant: Keanu helped bring Last Days to life, right?

Making independent films definitely comes with a lot of hurdles. It’s easy to find reasons to quit, but if you keep the original vision for the movie in mind, you’ll be surprised by the incredible people you meet along the way.

Keanu was a key player in assembling the cast and crew who helped us create this film, and I’m incredibly thankful for his leadership.

Sky Yang Explains How A Month Of Southern Hospitality Prepared Him To Film Last Days

The interviewer from ScreenRant praised Sky’s performance as central to the film’s success and mentioned an interesting story about how she was cast. They asked her to share details about that casting process.

Absolutely. There was a celebration for the film Better Luck Tomorrow at the BFI in London. I’d previously made a short film with spoken word about a young boy dealing with racism. In the film, he copes with it by wearing a large, yellow papier-mâché head. They asked me to recreate that performance live at the event, and I agreed.

I prepared the BFI Southbank space – setting up the lighting and creating a simple new background – and performed. Afterwards, I met Justin and watched a fantastic film called Better Luck Tomorrow. It’s a really powerful and energetic movie that portrays a group of young Asian Americans as complex, flawed people. The experience was incredibly inspiring, and it was the first time I connected with Justin. I didn’t realize at the time they were starting to cast for a project, but the opportunity came up only a month later, and we clearly had a good connection.

ScreenRant asked the actor about how they approached understanding John’s character. Given the risks of the island setting, at what point – whether while first reading the script or during rehearsals – did they begin to empathize with John and understand his choices?

I always start by trying to understand a situation logically and figure out why things are happening. But I’ve realized that trying to get inside someone else’s head doesn’t always help – I often only truly understand something when I go through it myself. That’s exactly what happened in this case.

Justin gave me the go-ahead – he said we were heading out to film and I should take care of whatever I needed to. Honestly, it threw me into a bit of a panic. I impulsively booked a flight to Tulsa, Oklahoma, the city where John went to college, and grabbed a single night at an Airbnb. Sitting on that plane, though, reality hit – I started seriously wondering what I’d gotten myself into.

I arrived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and walked to my Airbnb. Soon, I began meeting people who showed incredible generosity and kindness. They shared their personal beliefs about Christianity and faith, and we had deep conversations about what it means to be human, grapple with difficult questions, and live a meaningful life.

I was blown away by the kindness I experienced. For a month, people let me stay with them, offering their couches and spare bedrooms. Tulsa completely surprised me – it was nothing like I expected, and in the best way. It’s all part of life’s unpredictable journey, where things often unfold beyond your control.

Last Days Star Radhika Apte Compares Bollywood To Hollywood

ScreenRant: Why do you think Meera never gave up on John?

Radhika Apte believes her character sees John as a main opponent because she’s dedicated to protecting the Sentinelese people, but also to safeguarding herself. She describes her character, Meera, as secretive and isolated, hinting at hidden depths. Ultimately, Meera wants acceptance for who she is, mirroring her desire for the Sentinelese to be allowed to live as themselves, without outside interference or forced change.

This story is really about her own internal conflict. John Chau represents the force trying to disrupt that, making him, in a way, her adversary. It’s a compelling journey because she ultimately learns to understand even someone she sees as an opponent.

ScreenRant asked about my experience working in both Bollywood and Hollywood, and what I’ve learned from each industry that I apply to the other. They were curious about the differences and similarities, and how moving between the two has shaped my approach to filmmaking.

Radhika Apte observes that work culture in India differs significantly from that in Europe and America. She notes that in Western countries, people are generally punctual, well-prepared, and stick to schedules, including breaks, allowing for efficient workflow.

India operates at a different pace than many other countries. There aren’t really scheduled breaks – work is continuous and demanding. However, what’s amazing about India is the willingness of people to help. Instead of focusing on obstacles, they immediately ask how to make your ideas a reality. This collaborative spirit and ‘can-do’ attitude are something I rarely encounter outside of India.

I think there are just different cultures and different positives and negatives about both places.

ScreenRant asked about the upcoming Netflix series, Akka, and wanted to know if the actor could share any details about the show.

Radhika Apte believes the project will likely be released in 2026, though she isn’t certain. She encourages everyone to check it out when it’s available!

Let me tell you, making this movie was a whirlwind! But honestly, it was a blast. I’d never tackled a role quite like it before – playing a true villain was a completely new experience for me, and I loved every minute of it.

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2025-10-28 20:35