June 20, 2026, 6:37 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Film history is full of legendary brawls, and stars like Jackie Chan, 72, or Bruce Lee, who died at 32, have become global icons thanks to their extraordinary physical talents. One current actor making a mark with plenty of bruises in the cinema is Indonesian Joe Taslim, 44. For 15 years now, he’s been punching and kicking on camera in blockbusters such as “Fast & Furious 6” or “Mortal Kombat”–not to mention the modern classic “The Raid.” With the release of his new film “The Furious,” Taslim told FITBOOK how he withstands the physical demands on set.
Joe Taslim’s Knees Have Been Shot for a Long Time
Before Joe Taslim began his film career, he was a successful judoka. Among other achievements, he won several gold, silver, and bronze medals at international tournaments before ever setting foot on a film set. But the many fights took their toll. He revealed in an interview that his knees have been shot for about ten years.
Even his orthopedist advised him to hang up his career: “What you’re doing is too dangerous. Your cruciate ligament is only half intact, your meniscus is extremely thin, and your lateral knee ligament is damaged. And that’s in both knees, not just one,” he was told.
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German Braces and Lots of Training
But Taslim doesn’t give up and knows what matters: “I know my body,” he said. While he can no longer participate in a judo competition, “fight scenes are controlled. And because I know my condition, I use special knee braces–mostly from Germany. I really searched intensively for specific knee braces that properly stabilize my knees, and I’ve found a few good ones that I now use all the time.”
Without them, he couldn’t make action films anymore. In a 2021 interview with “TV Spielfilm” about “Mortal Kombat,” he also mentioned that his doctor recommended he always train his thighs. This would reduce the strain on his knees. “So before I start a new project, I train my thighs like crazy to support my knees,” he explained.
Learn more about “The Furious” from our colleagues at TECHBOOK.
An Eye for the Fight Scene
Finally, Taslim pays special attention to the fight choreography for each project. If he spots a tricky part, he discusses it with the team and incorporates changes in the movement sequence to avoid injuries. “This part is very dangerous for my knee, I need to move a little to the left here,” he might say during preparations.
How well Joe Taslim’s knees still function can currently be seen in theaters. “The Furious” has been playing on screens in Germany since June 18, 2026.