Vernon has starred in numerous movies, one of his most famous parts surely being WEZ from MAD MAX 2. However, he also can be seen in SPACE TRUCKERS, INNERSPACE, FORTRESS, KING OF THE ANTS. Kids know him as Ransik from POWER RANGERS series, and let's not forget COMMANDO, where he plays Arnold Schwarzenegger's main antagonist! You could also see him in various TV stuff, such as JAG, McGuyver, Knight Rider, and, of course, POWER RANGERS.

In Mad Max you played Wez, Mel  Gibson's adversary. Was that exciting, riding open-top cars full-speed in the  desert?

That felt great. But that was also a bit pressing, because we had to do a lot of stunts ourselves. In fact, all that stuff was pretty much safe,  but still a bit scary. I came to love those scenes.

It didn't look all  that safe...

It wasn't meant to look safe. Photography and angles sure  added to the dramaticism. We were lucky with that - it turned out just brilliant!

What  did you like best about this movie?

I just love the whole movie! I love  this character. It was so cool to play a villain like this, the one that became  so popular. It's not so often that a main hero's adversary is so much loved!

Yeah,  Wez was the most colorful character there, right next to Mad Max himself.

That's  what was good about that - I could come really close to Mel Gibson. (laughs)

And  you had such an interesting haircut...

Oh yeah! (laughs)

So  you've got an experience of work with Mel Gibson.

While the movie was  being shot, we worked together for a long time. After that, I didn't take part  in any other projects with Mel. I think he is an outstanding actor and director.  He's one of my favorite actors.

Then again, you have worked with Arnold  Schwarzenegger. What is he like?

He was great. And now he's the Governor  of California. I live in California, so it's interesting that we have him as a  Governor. It's awesome to work with so many creative people. And with Arnold,  that was really cool.

You played in quite a few science fiction movies  - are you a fan of that genre?

I love science fiction. I think, Mad  Max was what started my interest in it. Maybe that was because of all the good  things that came with that movie. Since then I have been cast in many science  fiction movies. But I'm an actor, in the first place, so any movie can be special  for me. But I really love action!

What's your latest project?

Actually,  right now  "Loony Tunes" hits the theatres. And it was a lot of fun -  for once, I played in a comedy.

Do you already know what you're going  to do next?

Next, King Of The Ants is going to premier. And the next  year I'm going to be a director for a certain action movie.

Is that going  to be your first directing experience?

No, it's my third one. I always  tell all the other actors what they should do. I became a director even before  I became an actor. But for me, it's all the same. It's about making a movie. Whether  it's screenplay writing, or producing, or directing, or playing the part. These  are all parts that make a movie whole. And to take part in that is really exciting.

And  do you want to become a Governor someday?

No, I don't want to be no  California Governor. (laughs)

Many thanks for the interview, Mr.  Wells!

WARP-online,  December 2003