Rayson Tan, 61, Lands Pilot Role In Chinese Film Without Having To Audition: "I Had The Aura Of A Captain"

Who knew Rayson Tan would look so suave in a pilot uniform?

Recently, the former Mediacorp actor revealed on Instagram that he had been cast as a pilot in the new Chinese action film Wings of Dread.

While the 61-year-old's screen time in the film isn't extensive, his cool and composed character apparently ties the story together from beginning to end.

Rayson admitted in an interview with Zaobao.sg that landing the role of the captain was a stroke of luck.

He was introduced to the Chinese entertainment industry in 2024 by ex-Mediacorp actor Chunyu Shanshan, who had returned to China to focus on his career there. Chunyu also helped him connect with a Beijing-based talent agency.

Soon after, Rayson received a direct offer for the role of a captain — no audition required.

"They said I had the aura of an airline captain. Of course I accepted immediately. I didn't have to audition. I was truly grateful," he said.

The film was shot in Hengdian in late 2024, with the production hiring a real Chinese airline captain as a flight consultant.

Surprisingly, the consultant thought Rayson had undergone flight training.

"He asked if I'd ever flown a plane. I said no. Then he asked how I knew that captains wear their watches on the right wrist," he recalled.

"Actually, it's just because I've always worn my watch on my right hand."

The crew also brought in aviation professionals to teach the cast airline procedures, including pre-boarding cabin inspections and checking overhead luggage compartments.

But for Rayson, it was more of a refresher course. He was a Singapore Airlines flight attendant before joining Star Search in 1990.

"I've done all these procedures before, so I still remembered most of them!" he said with a laugh.

Speaking of his days with SIA, Rayson actually reunited with a former cabin crew colleague while taking Singapore Airlines' inaugural direct flight to Hangzhou last month.

He revealed that said colleague has since risen to become a senior crew leader (Ward Leader).

"If I hadn't switched careers to become an actor and had stayed in the aviation industry, perhaps I would have risen to a fairly senior position by now," the actor mused.

How does he fare as an onscreen captain then? Rayson quipped that he would leave the judgment to the audience.

He, however, is pleased with his character's final look. "My face shape and features suit wearing sunglasses," the actor said.

In fact, the production team, who had never even seen him wearing shades before, also felt he naturally projected the image of an airline captain.

"When we saw the finished result, I really did look a bit like a captain."

Having previously focused mainly on television dramas, Rayson said Wings of Dread gave him his first close-up experience of China's film industry — one he found immensely rewarding.

"I really learned a lot. The filmmaking process there left a very deep impression on me," said Rayson, who left Mediacorp in 2024.

He has since been working as a freelance actor while also doing livestreams.

Asked if he would continue taking on projects in China, Rayson said he would gladly do so.

"As long as I receive an offer, I'll definitely accept it," he said.