From the Dojo to the Red Carpet: A Czech Judo Champion’s Hollywood Triumph
How Petr Ják's instincts and resilience built a billion-dollar filmmaking empire
Petr Jákl’s life story reads like a screenplay for a blockbuster movie: a young boy inspired by his Olympian father, overcoming injuries to achieve his dreams, transitioning from sports to acting, and ultimately emerging as a leading producer in Hollywood. With a career marked by resilience, passion, and instinct, Jákl’s trajectory offers a compelling narrative of transformation and success.
Interview with Petr Jákl at Club Neera in Dubai
Jákl began his journey as a dedicated judo athlete, following in the footsteps of his father, who competed in the Munich 1972 Olympics. From the age of seven, Petr dreamed of an illustrious judo career, but his path was anything but smooth. “When I was young, I was losing all the time,” he recalls. However, through discipline, determination, and intense training, he began to excel, eventually becoming a Czech champion and representing his country in the Olympics.
Despite his achievements, Jákl’s first career came to an abrupt halt due to a devastating back injury. Doctors warned that continuing to train could leave him in a wheelchair. Defying medical advice, he pushed through pain to qualify for the Olympics. “I realized how much your brain can do,” he said. “Eighty percent of success in sports is mental.” This mental toughness would later serve him well in his transition to filmmaking. “If I didn’t finish the first life, I couldn’t move to the second life,” he adds, reflecting on the importance of closure and perseverance.
After retiring from sports, Jákl’s life took an unexpected turn. He was cast in a film starring Anthony Hopkins, shot in his home city of Prague. This experience opened the doors to Hollywood, where he landed roles in high-profile productions like xXx alongside Vin Diesel. Directors were drawn to his athleticism and charisma, traits that would later define his work behind the camera. “I had to learn English,” Jákl recalls. “I was really dumb for the English, but I worked every day, learning eight hours a day.”
A pivotal moment came when French filmmaker Luc Besson noticed Jákl’s talent during the production of The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc. Impressed by his natural instincts, Besson offered to mentor him. Though Jákl initially struggled with the language barrier and the complexities of filmmaking, he committed himself to learning and improving, eventually gaining the confidence to step into directing and producing roles.
Jákl’s first major directorial project was Kajínek (2010), a film about the most infamous hitman in Czech history. Drawing on his imagination and storytelling skills, Jákl not only directed the film but also co-wrote it with his father. The movie became a commercial success and contributed to a public conversation about the real-life subject’s innocence, eventually leading to a presidential pardon. “That was a miracle,” Jákl said. “It’s amazing to see how a story can impact real life.” His ability to tell gripping stories that resonate with audiences has since become a hallmark of his work.
Jákl’s journey into Hollywood production began with his role as a producer on high-budget films such as Medieval (2022), the most expensive Czech film ever made. The historical epic, featuring stars like Michael Caine and Ben Foster, showcased Jákl’s ability to handle complex productions. With a $20 million budget fully financed independently, the project demonstrated his skill in navigating the financial challenges of filmmaking. “I learned so much from producing Medieval,” he said. “If I had known then what I know now about financing, I could have made an $80 million film with the same resources.” This experience set the stage for him to collaborate on international projects with renowned actors like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Mel Gibson.
In Hollywood, financing is often the most challenging aspect of filmmaking. Jákl’s approach is built on trust and long-term relationships with investors. “I tell my investors: either you trust me, or we don’t work together,” he said. His investors’ confidence in his vision has allowed him to secure funding quickly, even for high-risk projects. Tax incentives and regional advantages also play a significant role in his strategy. For example, shooting in locations like Puerto Rico or Australia can provide rebates of up to 50%. Jákl’s ability to leverage these opportunities enables him to stretch budgets and increase profitability. “If you know how to manage incentives, you can make a $100 million movie for $25 million,” he explained.
The rise of streaming platforms has transformed the film industry, and Jákl has adapted by producing content for both theaters and streaming services. One recent success was a horror film produced with Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, Doctor Strange), which Netflix purchased for double its production cost. “Horror and action genres are incredibly lucrative right now,” Jákl noted. His focus on these genres, along with an increasing interest in sci-fi and comedies, reflects his instinctive understanding of audience preferences. “If you have a great idea and the right people, even a $1 million horror film can gross $60 million at the box office,” he said, underscoring the importance of creativity in the business.
While Jákl enjoys commercial success, he is also deeply invested in creating meaningful stories. “I like movies with a message, but it needs to be subtle,” he said. His upcoming projects include Earth on Fire, a James Bond-style thriller with an environmental message. “It’s about sustainability, but it’s still entertaining. You can’t preach to people—the story has to come first.” Jákl’s commitment to authenticity and connection extends to his collaborations. He relies on intuition to choose partners and projects. “I can tell within minutes if someone is the right fit,” he said. “Everything in my life is based on instinct.”
Having worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, Jákl has gained unique insights into the realities of Hollywood. While he acknowledges that some actors can be difficult, he emphasizes that most are generous and professional. He has particularly fond memories of working with Mel Gibson, whom he admires for his dedication and talent. “For me, it always needs to be fun,” he said. “I just don’t want to do something where I don’t enjoy myself. You can’t do this for the money, because the money will come if you follow your passion.” When asked about managing tight production schedules, Jákl highlights the importance of organization and teamwork. “Some movies are shot in 60 days, others in 22 days,” he said. “It’s all about preparation and having the right people in place.”
With over 40 films in development and a total budget exceeding $1.5 billion, Jákl’s ambitions show no signs of slowing down. His slate includes high-profile projects with George Clooney and Sacha Baron Cohen, as well as adaptations of books, video games, and articles. “We’re investing in intellectual property that has the potential to create franchises,” he said. Jákl is also expanding into new mediums, including video games, with a game based on Medieval set to launch soon. “It’s a completely different world, but it’s incredibly exciting,” he said.
For Jákl, success is about more than financial gain. “You can’t do this for the money,” he said. “You have to do it for the love of storytelling and the joy of entertaining people.” His optimism and passion continue to drive him, making him a force to be reckoned with in the world of filmmaking. As he puts it, “The money will come if you follow your passion. You just need the mindset that it’s going to happen.”
