Donnie Francis is a Stunt Performer, Actor, and now Producer/Filmmaker. He is a former MMA Fighter, training in Martial Arts for around 15 years. His new film, Attack By Fire: Rivals is written by Scott Kegler and directed by Bobby McFarland. Rivals is an Action Comedy about two rival contractors Shay — Played by Donnie Francis and Dante played by Brendan Kelleher — with opposing styles and methods that are put on the same job as redundancies, but the job proves to be more than either expected. Expect a lot of hard hits and even more laughs between Co-Star Brendan Kelleher and Donnie as they kick each other’s butts and anyone elses who gets in our way throughout the entire film.
Take us back in your career, how did your former MMA fighting help your acting career?
It was a great life experience to pull from. My last fight was 2017. Fighting is hard, you gotta be tough and a little crazy to want to try it, same thing goes for working in entertainment. It was also a big help with my Stunt Career. I do think I will begin competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournaments again, but besides that, I’ll stick to fighting on film.
Describe your acting style and your favorite role.
I definitely lean more on the Method side of things, but I love to improv and utilize my instincts. One of my favorite roles would be Shay from Attack By Fire: Rivals or playing Clint Barton – Hawkeye for a Web Series currently in post-production. Spider-Man and the Monsters of Manhattan.
Tell us about your new Action Comedy Film, Attack By Fire: Rivals and your role of Shay.
It follows 2 contractor’s with different ways of getting the job done and through reputation we do not get along. We are put on the same job as redundancies.
Shay is quirky, reckless to the point of being suicidal. Prefers not killing and loves to get a rise out of people and pushing Dante’s buttons.
How has this role challenged you?
He is a character that is kind of a type cast for me, but the project as a whole was challenging. We are a small Production Crew and this was one of our biggest projects.
Why do you think this film will resonate with audiences?
I’m hoping audiences will just be able to enjoy the action and have some laughs. We want to entertain and if this was to be well received, we’d love to make a prequel or sequel to delve deeper into who these characters are and there motivations.
Who would you like to work with?
Directors I’d like to work with are Zack Snyder, Robert De Nero, and James Gunn.
Some Actors I’d like to work with Scott Atkins, John Krasinski, and Jackie Chan.
What’s next for you?
I’ve been working on Z Dead End alongside some horror royalty, I have a small, but recurring role throughout the film as well as being involved in all the Stunt related Action as the New York/New England Stunt Stunt Crew. Besides that, hustling until the next job comes a calling or we make our next film.