The Rush: Actor and boxer Javon Walton dishes on Stallone, Zendaya and “Samaritan”
Actor and boxer Javon “Wanna” Walton is on The Rush, dishing on working alongside Sylvester Stallone in their new film “Samaritan,” how his athletic career prepared him for life on the silver screen, the identity of his real life superhero and why he doesn’t have his driver’s license just yet. Plus, we form a hypothetical “Big Three” with Javon’s co-stars Sly Stallone and Zendaya and don’t forget to check out “Samaritan,” which drops on Prime Video on August 26.
Video Transcript
JARED QUAY: Some of your biggest projects to date are acting alongside Zendaya in "Euphoria" and Sylvester Stallone in "The Samaritan." So my question to you is, if you Zendaya, and Sly teamed up, what sport would the three of you be good at together?
JAVON WALTON: You know, Sly is a boxing historian. So I'm just going to say boxing, and I hope Zee can box.
[LAUGHTER]
JARED QUAY: What's up, everybody. I'm here with Javon "Wanna" Walton, star of the film "The Samaritan" which launches globally on Prime Video, August 26. How are you doing today, Wanna?
JAVON WALTON: I'm doing good, man. How about yourself?
JARED QUAY: I'm doing good, man. First thing I got to know, man, you just turned 16. So did we get our driver's license yet?
JAVON WALTON: OK, God, you're putting me on the spot on this one. So when I turned 15, I failed my permit test two times, right. And I didn't end up actually getting my permit until November. So I got to wait 'til November to get my driver's license, which kind of sucks. I get it November 17. I'm counting down the days over here.
JARED QUAY: So you started boxing long before you started acting. How is your athletic career helped you transition into the world of acting?
JAVON WALTON: Man, I think they both balance each other out like a good bit, you know, because it's really about the work ethic. You've got to apply to both. You know, they both take a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication. And they both take a lot of long hours. And you know, it takes a while to see results right away.
JARED QUAY: What's worse, a bad day in the boxing ring or a bad day on set?
JAVON WALTON: Oh, bad day in the boxing ring. Like you don't want a bad day in the boxing ring, because you get messed up having a bad day in the boxing ring. That's the worst. You know, there's a lot of bad things but nothing beats a bad day in a boxing ring.
JARED QUAY: That's so hilarious. As a boxer, were you starstruck when you first met Sylvester Stallone. I mean like, even though he's an actor, he's kind of like one of the most famous boxers of all time.
JAVON WALTON: No. We're human at the end of the day, you know. And when I'm on set, I'm there to work and get my stuff done.
- Are you OK?
- I'm cool.
JAVON WALTON: Huge props to Sly though, man. He's an amazing actor. And I got to learn a lot from him.
- How strong are you?
- Not as strong as I once was. Things start to fall apart when you stop caring.
JARED QUAY: In "The Samaritan," Sly Stallone plays your neighbor, just a regular blue collar guy. But you think he's a famous superhero who hasn't been seen in a few decades. Who's a regular person, you know, in real life that's a superhero to you?
JAVON WALTON: I'm just going to say my dad, bro. The way that he benches is just insane, you know. Like, he's a big guy and he can lift a lot of weight, man. He's super strong. And he can box, which is a scary combination. He's swollen. He can box, and he got pop, you know. He's the full package. He's-- I've always looked up to my dad though. In
JARED QUAY: "The Samaritan," Slye's superhero persona can take quite a beating. Is there an athlete with this kind of power, someone who's durable enough to run through walls?
JAVON WALTON: In the boxing world, I think Canelo just has an amazing chin. And it's been tested a good bit. And he can take some big hits, bro. And he's our cruise, bro. He took a good bit of punishment from Tank that one fight. Like, as far as running through walls, there's a lot of boxers that can almost relate to that, just with their chin in general, man. It's pretty crazy the way some of these guys take punches and these little eight ounce gloves. Insane.
JARED QUAY: Well, look here, man. I appreciate you rushing with me today. "The Samaritan" drops on Prime Video August 26. Javon, thank you. I wish you more success.
JAVON WALTON: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
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