by Rachel Chan Suet Kay
VOIZE caught up with Lee Majors, the Six Million Dollar Man, a.k.a Steve Austin, at the launch of Cartoon Network’s BEN 10: Race Against Time in Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. He spoke about his reasons for choosing to work on this made-for-TV live action movie, the first of its kind on Cartoon Network. Lee Majors plays Grandpa Max, a kindly if eccentric old man who is Ben’s grandfather, and is actually a secret agent of the government dealing with aliens, called a Plumber . For those familiar to the series, Ben is the owner of the Omnitrix, a device which can enable Ben to transfrom into 10 different types of aliens to combat evil.
We also asked the affable Mr. Lee some questions.
Do you think the world needs superheroes today?
Lee: The world needs superheroes more than ever. Back in those days, we only used to see cowboys and Indians (as entertainment) and the good guy wore a white hat while the bad guys wore black hats. However kids today are increasingly brainwashed by video games that are so drastic in violence. It’s not what most of us grew up on. I hope that kids can have their entertainment with more wholesome values like in BEN 10.
You often play characters with superpowers. Is it a personal preference?
Lee: Well, I know you like Steve Austin. And also Colt Seavers in the Fall Guy – don’t know if its available here. And way before your time I also played these cowboys. I liked them all because they are heroes.
Did you ever play any villainous roles?
Oh yes, I did – in small independent roles. There was the one time I ever lost a fight. Did you know about the only fight I ever lost?
Tell us more!
I ll tell you about the fight I lost. It was Chuck Norris. He asked me to star as the bad sheriff in Walker Texas Ranger. And then he really kicked my butt.
BEN 10: Race Against Time premieres on September 26, Friday, at 7.30 pm on Astro’s Cartoon Network
