By Alistair Macmordéan Tues. 28 July 2020
"Jones is one of Hollywood’s go-to men when they require
a Professional Huge Person with prodigious thews."
– Rollo Tomasi (Empire Magazine)
Boasting an Adeptus Astartes physique (six foot eleven and three hundred and twenty pounds) of bone crushing terror and demeanour that would make any hardcore Warhammer 40k fan howl in awe. Nathan Jones has dominated the movie industry in his tough guy and monster roles since the 90’s.
There ain’t no keeping up with the Jones’s! He is a total carnage of strength and wrestling manoeuvres. The Giant from down under can lung kick through an aeroplane window before take-off and with his bare hands he can tear your car engine into a pinata faster than you can blink.
Mr. Jones threw his weight in the National Power lifting Champion competition of Australia, devastating other competitors. Like a modern day William Wallace, Nathan stood out from the crowd with his sheer size earning him the name “Megaman.” At the age of 26 Nathan competed in the World Strength Championship in Scotland, for the Highland Games. Facing off with the current champion at the time Gary Taylor, the Jones won the title of Australia’s Strongest Man in 1995. Megaman went onto win the World Strongman Challenge in 1996 and placed third in the World’s Strongest Man behind Magnús Ver Magnússon and Jorma Ojanaho.
Luck was on Nathan’s side when superstar martial artist Jackie Chan had come to Queensland to film Police Story 4: First Strike (1996). Jackie saw Jones on Good Morning Australia and called his agent straight away to get him in the movie:
“I won The Highland Games in either 1995 or 1996 and then I came home and then I got contacted by Good Morning Australia and their production company got me to pick up the back of a ute and I pushed it down the street and then Liz Hayes was interviewing me and it just so happened that Jackie Chan was watching the show and he got in contact and said “I want you in my next movie.” And that is how I got my first movie
First Strike which was filmed on the Gold Coast.”
– Nathan Jones
Nathan’s sheer size and charisma landed him the role as The Hitman, where he faced off with the Kung Fu master in his first memorable fight scene.
In 2001-2 Megaman joined the WWA and he defeated Scott Steiner, Jeff Jarrett & Brian Christopher to win the WWA Heavyweight Title in April 7, 2002. Facing off with Jeff Jarett in the ring, Rove MacManus exclaimed “Let’s face it Nathan Is enormous, just look at him he is nearly seven feet tall worth of man, and he has won the world strongest man competitions the world over!”
Jones became a crowd favourite in Australia and beyond. Megaman’s impressive size and power caught the attention of fans from the U.S.A.;
“In some situations, you create these stories and story lines, but Nathan comes with his own.”
– Vince Mcmahon (CEO of WWE)
In 2002-3 Nathan made his WWE debut on the Smackdown show. Dubbed as the Colossus of Bogo Road was a name he earned in his late teens for embracing the lifestyle of a Robin Hood/Ned Kelly. The Giant from Down Under fascinated audiences and snatched the attention of wrestling veteran The Undertaker, as he took the Aussie Giant as his protégé. They both worked together at WrestleMania XIX and Jones also joined the ranks of Brock Lesnar Team at the Survivor Series in 2003.
Nathan’s sheer size gave him an advantage in the ring with his super strength as he previously broke weightlifting records, lifting over three times his own body weight. With ease the Colossus could lift his opponents by the neck, throwing them across the ring like rag dolls and slamming them to oblivion. Audiences and competitors where shocked that physical strength wasn’t just Nathan's specialty, as can be seen from momentous occasions of when he displayed Van Damme-esque high kicks at wrestlers including A-Train, Big Show and even John Cena.
"I thought I’d add that in because people think I can play the giant all the time, and I thought it’d be nice to see someone jump around, and some of us big guys can go,
‘No, we can…fly around as well’”.
– Nathan Jones
It was in December 6, 2003 that Nathan decided to retire from wrestling to continue his career as an actor and stunt professional in action movies. The Giant went on to many roles as the imposing adversary of protagonists in blockbuster feature films:
'It's been an amazing experience to star in big box-office films with some big-name action stars. I’m getting more leading roles and I’m humbled for the opportunities…'
– Nathan Jones
After retiring from wrestling Nathan starred as a Greek warrior Boagrius champion of Triopas (Julian Glover) in the epic blockbuster Troy (2004). It was the big fella’s pleasure to take on Hollywood pretty boy Brad Pitt aka Achilles. Boagrius lost the bout, but we all know who would have really won.
The Colossus went onto star in The Protector (2005) as T.K. taking on action star Tony Jaa (Ong Bak). Nathan showed off his strength and power by ripping of the head of a huge lion statue and launching it at the Maui Thai Superstar.
Joining another Asian film production called Fearless (2006), Nathan fights Chinese Martial Arts Huo Yuanjia (Jet Li) in the ring as Hercules O’Brien. The film is an action-packed blockbuster about the life of the founder and spiritual guru of the Jin Wu Sports Federation. During the production in China Nathan had to sleep on three beds joined to accommodate for his extra-large body mass.
The Colossus got the call to face Steve Austin and Vinnie Jones in WWE Studios new film called The Condemned (2007), filmed at Nathan’s old prison Boggo Road Gaol. Richard Norton had joined the production as Fight Co-ordinator and the two struck a friendship that lasts to this day. Nathan was cast in the role of Petr, one of the prison contestants to fight to the death with Jack Conrad (Steve Austin). It was a sight to see the two WWE veterans hit it out with a combination of martial arts and wrestling techniques, ending in a climax as Petr explodes off the cliff.
Megaman flew to Spain and France the ancient land of the Gaul’s to star in the film Asterix at the Olympic Games (2008), co-starring with veteran actors including Gerard Depardieu and Alain Delon. Nathan delivered the goods to add more tension with his intimidating charisma, humour and with his larger than life strength flinging his opponent by the ankles on the ground, in the tradition of the Hulk.
Next port of call was in Thailand where the Giant from down under scored his first lead role as Barney Emerald in the action flick Mau Thai King (2008). This time around Nathan was pitted against another seven-foot titan from down under, Conan Stevens who later on starred as Gregor 'The Mountain' Clegane in Game of Thrones TV Series (2011):
“…Jones and I have a pretty good fight scene at the end of the movie…it will be something that 14 year old boys remember for the rest of their lives - it has some spectacular effects…To work with someone I did not totally dominate was great, we worked together well and helped each other out for the fight, both of us wanting the fight to look as strong as possible…Nathan Jones was a pleasure to work with, besides being a fellow Australian he was professional, has absolutely no ego, talkative and fun to work with. The Thai staff loved him. I look forward to meeting and working with Nathan Jones again in the future.”
– Conan Stevens
What an epic fight scene! The Colossus managed to tear apart a whole aeroplane to pieces with his bare hands. Definitely an epic feat that fourteen year old boys will recall in decades to come.
Second entry into the sword and sandal genre, Mr. Jones was cast in the role of Ahkun in the feature film reboot of Conan The Barbarian (2011). Sharing the spotlight with Jason Mamoa (Conan), they collaborated in choreographing fight scenes for the movie and tested their steel in the Kraken scene.
The prosthetics for Ahkun’s character required a head to toe body suit, which special effects make up artist Shaun Smith (SmithFX) was the designer and craftsman to bring the character to life:
“It was a pleasure working with Nathan. He is very patient and professional throughout the prosthetic process.”
– Shaun Smith
Returning to Australia, Director Chris Sun approached Nathan Jones to play a new Iconic Horror Character in his upcoming feature film Charlie’s Farm (2014). Returning to the prosthetics workshop under the artistry of the Slaughter FX team, Nathan transformed into the hideous beast called Charlie Wilson.
"Nathan is just phenomenal. He's seven-foot tall and even without make-up he's scary. When he puts on all the prosthetics all of a sudden you've got a beast in front of you."
– Chris Sun (Director of Charlie’s Farm)
Charlie is a physically deformed and grotesque huge character that hunts down would be tourists in the Australian outback. The film follows in the tradition of classic slasher films like Friday 13th, Jason and Freddy Krueger. There is a lot of macabre scenes that can even make grown men squirm in terror.
Nathan came to the attention of George Miller during the cancelled production of “Justice League” (2007). Immediately the two struck up a strong friendship. It was there that the colossus and famous director first worked together and it was his sheer size and stage presence that inspired the character of Rictus Erectus son of Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015):
“The style of the movie is epic. There’s like a thousand people on set everyday; the stunts were incredible, the logistics of everything was amazing…It got everything together which made it work really well. I’m just really proud to be part of this experience. It’s wonderful.”
– Nathan Jones
The Colossus goes onto describe his experience on set; “It was so loud, it was very hard to hear anyone including the Director. We had to act on instinct and in the moment…You can tell, when you can feel the danger, it’s not like when they simulate it. A simulation just doesn’t get the same effect…You want a movie that grabs ya!” Nathan says with clenched fists and glaring eyes “Come with me, I’m taking you for a ride” and boy was the movie a ride of a lifetime. Nathan was joined by co-stars including Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholaus Holt, Hugh Keays-Byrne and Richard Norton to shoot with Director George Miller, what is considered one of the greatest action films of all time.
The third installment in Michael Jai Whyte’s martial arts trilogy called Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016), saw the action star take on the Megaman in a grueling and bloody bout. Mickie was definitely questioned by the missus the next day over the bruises, which leaves one to wonder if he responded, “you should have seen the other guy!” in his baritone voice. Nathan portrayed the unstoppable character called Braga, who brutalized the action star in a no holds barred fight. Bringing out the Colossus repertoire Nathan displayed his versatile martial arts and wrestling skills. Facing Brad Pitt was easy, but this time the big fella faced a worthy opponent and is one of the best action sequences of Jones’s career.
Bollywood was on the horizon as Mr. Jones got cast in an action blockbuster, in the tradition of Marvel and DC comics. He portrayed the character villain Raka who battles with the Indian superhero the Flying Jatt (2016) played by pretty boy actor/dancer Tiger Shroff. Nathan greatly enjoyed his time in India and loved working with the actors praising their professionalism and talent.
The dynamic duo of Australian Horror Cinema Nathan and Director Chris Sun reunited with Slaughter FX for another slasher bonanza called Boar (2017). This time around Nathan played the role of Bernie one of the good guys to take on a creature reminiscent of classic horror monsters before the CGI era, and brings to mind ancient European myths of killer boars that nordic/celtic warriors used to hunt down for glory and valour. The movies climax of Nathan and the man-eating boar battling to the death, gives a very satisfying ending.
Jones’s scored a role as “The Mountain” in the 1930’s era pseudo biographical film about Errol Flynn, about a suave Tasmanian who became a Hollywood megastar. The films title In Like Flynn (2018) has historical folklore connotations attached to Errol’s exploits with the ladies and adventures featured, that historians today believe are just gross exaggerations.
Notable co-stars include Thomas Cocquerel, David Wenham, Callan Mulvey, Costas Mandylor, Clive Standen and Isabel Lucas. Nathan doing what he does best, as he instigates a bar room fight scene with many laughs and bloody noses.
Nathan returns to the sword and sandal genre in the Scorpion King: Books of Souls (2018). The sequel has Zack McGowan (Black Sails) in the lead role. However, it is Jones’s portrayal of the stone Golem Enkidu that steals the show. The Colossus collaborated with special effects makeup artist Natasha du Toit to bring this mythical creature to life. Nathan’s body mass had increased before the production, therefore the prosthetic suit was a very tight fit. There was concerns that it would cause the giant discomfort while acting, but Jones with much enthusiasm persisted and went above the call of duty to bring Enkidu to life. Audiences where dazzled by Enkidu’s explosive action and humorous moments, making the movie a much more enjoyable experience.
The Giant from Down Under has joined Macmordéan Enterprises debut sci-fi/fantasy/horror feature film The Manifesto Chronicles (in development) and he will be starring as Dardanos Kabeirio a four-thousand-year-old Champion of ancient Thrace. Stay tuned!
Coming up is the Iconic reboot of the greatest digital game franchise Mortal Kombat (2021), and rumours have been spreading on cyberspace on which fighting character the Megaman will be portraying. Please comment below and let us know what you think The Giant Nathan Jones will be playing in this upcoming feature film?
Nathan Jones impressive career has carved a reputation for him to be the leading candidate to play roles that require huge physiques, ideally for villains and monsters in any big budget blockbuster. It is noted however he has also branched out into leading and supporting protagonist roles to show that he has a diverse talent to offer any movie production. Horror and action/stunts is Nathan's forte, however time and again he has added humour into his roles which have entertained audiences the world over. The Colossus is a true treasure of the international movie industry, and it will be exciting to see what roles he will be playing next in the future.
About the Author:
Alistair Macmordéan founder of The Manifesto Chronicles multi-media franchise and Heavy Metal band Manifesto, is an aspiring writer. His credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in English/History Majors, with Film and Drama electives. He has also completed a Post-Graduate Degree in Information Studies.
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