Dolph Lundgren has starred in countless action projects over the years, from The Punisher to Missionary Man. Rocky fans will remember him as Drago from the acclaimed fourth installment back in 1985. Decades later, Lundgren and Sylvester Stallone are still working together, having co-starred in Creed II and The Expendables. And now, Luke Wilson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Idiocracy) can be added to the list of veteran actors who’ve starred alongside Lundgren in an action flick.

The Best Man is a pulse-pounding new thriller that centers on a team of ruthless mercenaries who violently seize control of a remote resort hotel. As former Special Ops soldiers attending their best friend’s wedding, the likable characters played by Wilson and Lundgren rely only on their wits and training to combat the terrorists and save the hostages held for ransom.

We recently caught up with Lundgren, who dished on his “goofy” character in The Best Man and working with Wilson on the project. He also dished on the upcoming Drago film and what it’s been like working with Stallone over the years. Read our exclusive interview below.

Related: Exclusive: Casper Van Dien on His Villainous Turn in Hunt Club

Tackling Action Alongside Luke Wilson

MW: What was it about The Best Man that first drew you to the project?

Dolph Lundgren: I like the character that I play, the second, third or fourth lead in the movie, somebody who’s been through hardships in the military. It’s played out a lot in action movies, but this guy has kind of become a bit of a drunk and a bit of a funny drunk, kind of a vulnerable drunk. And I liked that part of the character. I thought it was fun, I never really played it before as much. So I enjoyed that part of it. And that way, there’s more of an arc to travel in the picture, when he finally decides to help out and kick some a** later.

MW: I spoke to the director Shane Dax Taylor, and he was saying how he really liked the scene where your character is sitting at the bar with Luke Wilson, just kind of chatting. What was it like working with Luke on an action project like this?

Dolph Lundgren: The first day I think, we shot the action scene and, you know, it’s by the numbers, it’s very technical. Unless you’re doing a fight in a [boxing] ring, you just make one or two moves, you fire at one guy, you move over here, then maybe a [stunt] double does a little bit of something. And so it’s quite technical.

Dolph Lundrgen: And then we had our bar scene, I think day two. And it was funny because I didn’t really know Luke. We spoke for a little bit about it. And I had already kind of worked on my preparations. I’m a bit loosey-goosey, a bit drunk, kind of goofy. And he comes in with his improvisation… “There’s a big blond guy sitting here in the bar getting drunk.” And I was like, “That’s not in the script.” That’s what I was thinking. He came in with this little monologue, and he kind of cracked us both up.

Dolph Lundgren: And then, I lived around that sort of theme of having been through something, but you don’t really want to talk about it because you don’t have to, but you don’t really bring it up. And I thought that was quite effective in that scene and was memorable. It’s amazing in movies — so much is what you don’t say that comes across. It’s crazy […] Very clever directors and actors, like, Clint Eastwood knows that and always does that.

Related: Exclusive: Assassin Director and Stars Discuss Their New Bruce Willis Movie

Directing and Reuniting with Sylvester Stallone

Saban Films

MW: How’s it been going from acting to directing some of your projects over the years?

Dolph Lundgren: It’s certainly more challenging in so many other ways than just being an actor. We just show up [as actors], you get a paycheck, you say your lines, you do the best you can and then don’t worry about it. Obviously, if you’re working on a big movie, like Aquaman, there’s a certain guarantee it’s going to come across pretty well. I mean, they’re going to pick the right take, you know? You’re going to look good, and they make it look freakin’ great, no matter what.

Dolph Lundgren: But if you’re doing a small movie, like I’ve directed two movies in the last couple of years, and they’re both indie movies, and they were both shot in 20 days or so. And that’s when you’re challenged as a director because you’re usually in love with the material. So now you have to make sure that it somehow turns out OK, even though you don’t have much time. And that’s the challenge. You learn on the job, but I do think hopefully next time I’ll have more money, a bigger budget.

MW: With the second Creed movie and the Expendables movies, what’s it been like reuniting with Sylvester Stallone and working with him again?

Dolph Lundgren: It’s always a fun time to see him. We’ve done […] six movies over 38 years. So yeah, it’s quite unusual in this business to do that. And every time we see each other, it’s changed the relationship a little bit […] He was always like my big brother, and I was learning a lot from him. And lately, we’ve been a little more kind of acting in equal roles […] Our families and daughters are friends. And now, there’s this Drago picture, which would be fun. I think he’s certainly somebody I look up to. It’s always a pleasure to work with him. He’s a very smart guy.

From Saban Films, The Best Man is now in theaters and available on digital platforms and on demand.