Exclusive Interview: Rob Baard Discusses The Ninja Immovable Heart

The Aussie-made The Ninja: Immovable Heart kicks it’s way to the US this March. We spoke to Rob Baard, the man who wore most of the hats (and no doubt earned most of the bruises), on the movie. Read on to learn more.


BGG After Dark: Rob, you’re a martial artist in real life I gather?

Rob Baard: Correct. I began martial arts when I was 12 years old (I’m now 34 as at 2014), so around 22 years. Ninjutsu, Budo, taijutsu whatever you choose to currently call the art is my life path. The teachings carry over and expand into healing arts. For me the art is about “unlocking your full potential of who you are”. I believe the real knowledge and experience came in the DAN level training.

While there’s 22 years of training I would suggest that more so than how far back my experience goes, I teach most nights now, I include it in the books and films for the Ninja. I get to explore these subjects daily and I actively do so. It really comes down to having a good teacher who can help you with the deeper elements of the art. Someone could train for 30 years and know nothing (and I’ve seen this) or they could train everyday with an amazing teacher for 10+ years and know much more. Experience and knowledge comes from regular training and exploitation. It waza (technique) is only the beginning, if you train in just that, you will miss other elements that are being show.

My focus isn’t on being a martial artist its about using the varying skills, they’re listed on my website as is my history, to help people. So far that encompasses martial arts, healing studies and complete mind therapy studies. Martial arts is a great way to develop and unlock yourself physically, mentally and spiritually.

BGG After Dark: Did you always plan your first film to be martial-arts related, because of that?

Rob Baard: This is not my first film, this film is more a super hero film that would be considered a martial arts film. Just as Ninja Turtles is not a martial arts film and Batman is not a film about “bats”.

I created the company THE NINJA UNIVERSE as a franchise aimed to inspire and empower people. Most of my time is spent teaching. When I was a kid I loved coming out of movies about heroes. It made me want to help people and to make a difference.

I planned to make a character that was a hero and encompassed what I love, which is Ninjutsu, super heroes, the film industry and helping people.

BGG After Dark: Did you do an acting school or have any formal education?

Rob Baard: I trained in a few places nothing serious. I don’t consider myself an actor and I’m not aiming to be one. My focus is the company I’m running and the franchise. I consider myself a teacher/ producer/ director and I also play the Ninja. I’ve developed screen writing and visual effects courses taught at university level here in Australia back in 2008/ 2009. As a writer/ director creating characters and helping others craft a performance comes easy to me, I’ve coached actors and mentored people in varying roles throughout the industry. Much of my time is in guiding and teaching. And that’s how I see the franchise and what I do in film. I am the ninja (Reeve) much of it comes from my history, experiences and learning.

My training goes into the business end of the industry from marketing, sales, distribution and so forth. I’ve also taught stunt courses. I follow my passion and that is to make films that inspire and empower people. I learn what I need to assist in that.

BGG After Dark: Where was the movie shot?

Rob Baard: Australia.

BGG After Dark: How did you manage to get Danny Glover on board?

Rob Baard: It was one of many opportunities that showed up. Things work in flux, there’s always a lot of discussions, potential deals and negotiations, the industry is real a “deal” driven industry. We found a way to make it possible for Danny to be in it, he’s amazing and we plan to continue his character.

BGG After Dark: What are the film’s release plans?

Rob Baard: So far the film is being released in 9 countries. USA is March, and I think Australia may be around April. I don’t know the plans for the release. Once you complete it and hand it to the distributor they take care of that, it will be different for each country.

To learn more, visit the official The Ninja Immovable Heart Facebook page.


About the The Ninja : Immovable Heart
An “authentic” ninjutsu film cloaked in the cape of a superhero blockbuster, The Ninja : Immovable Heart brings together veteran action movie star Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon, Predator 2) and rising martial-arts star Rob Baard for a high-flying action-adventure that's part Dark Knight, part Bourne Identity.

Reeve is a member of an elite covert group thought not to exist anymore, he is captured, beaten and brutally tortured, by the very Governments he used to work for. With the help of his old mentor John Carpenter, Reeve must strip away, and rid himself of the emerging demons of his past, so that he may understand the core essence of Ninjutsu, the Ninja's Immovable heart, in order to remember how and why he was captured, and what he is meant to do, before time runs out and his captors discover why he is really here. The Ninja : Immovable Heart is part of a larger franchise that will soon include comics, a clothing line, and a TV series spin-off. The Ninja : Immovable Heart is on DVD and Digital March 3 from Uncork'd Entertainment