Making his cinematic directorial debut, Wu-Tang Clan rapper RZA has teamed up with co-writer ELI ROTH to bring to the big screen THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS, an epic kung fu tale set in 19th-century China. Playing the titular blacksmith who gets caught in the middle of a war over a trove of fabled gold treasure, RZA is joined on screen by LUCY LIU (as a brothel madam) and Academy Award-winning actor RUSSELL CROWE (as a ruthless mercenary).

During our recent interview, ELI ROTH (who was also one of the film’s producers) talked about the casting of RUSSELL CROWE and the enthusiasm with which he embraced his role. (CLICK ON THE MEDIA BAR FOR AUDIO)

THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS opens in theaters 11/2