Ricky Lee (Cree and Lakota), known for his roles in Western films such as the Majestic Seven remake, Adam Sandler’s Ridiculous 6, and indie hits like Hell or High Water, is now focusing on projects behind the camera. Lee,an alumnus of the American Indian Theater Company in Oklahoma alongside figures like Gary Farmer,Graham Greene,and Wes Studi,is currently promoting a pilot for a supernatural Indigenous cop thriller,Coyo. Additionally, he is preparing for Midnight Shanghai, a drama blending martial arts with the historical narrative of Chinese railroad workers.

Lee, who serves as executive producer and will also play a sheriff in Midnight Shanghai, shared his passion for the project. The following interview has been edited for clarity.

The Genesis of Midnight Shanghai

SFR: What can you tell us about Midnight Shanghai and your motivation for creating it?

Ricky Lee: OK, so back in the ’80s and ’90s…I mean, I lived here in Santa Fe for a long time, but my parents got sick and I moved back home to Kansas for a time, but I came back here 11 years ago and found a place out near Lamy and stayed there, off the grid, for years. And I used to do a lot of walking out there, so one day I was out walking and came across this kind of mound thing, and I thought…I knew there was an old pueblo out there called Manzano Pueblo that hasn’t been excavated, and I knew there were a lot of pottery shards around there, and I’m walking and come across this mound and