So, yes, we became better known in America, like Chow Yun-Fat. But as it happened, his mother had a connection to the Hong Kong kung fu director Yuen Woo-ping. Nothing matters, be free, or nothing matters, give up. We have this mating dance. But then, when it came to the late 70s and early 80s, it switched over to much more masculine dominated with you know, the Jackie Chan, the Jet Lee, the Donnie Yen. You always put the family first. And I think it really shows because the scenes that I have with Stephanie, she is looking for her mother in every universe. And as an audience, I think thats what he does for you, is he puts you in so many places, and then he pulls the rug from under you. Donnie Yen (Creator) - TV Tropes And then he said to me, oh, the Daniels came and pitched me the movie in China. A huge hit for Emperor, the film earned Yen his first Best Action Director prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards. They are not in my life. So, I said, I would love to be able to try I think at that point in that period, the glory years of Hong Kong cinema, it was comedies and action movies that were the best sellers. Today, he says, he sees a big difference in the way he and other Asian actors are treated in Hollywood. Yen finished the film in his memory. Who is the ultimate fighter? Fortunately, every time I go to set, the whole Donnie Yen act just kicks in, he says. RELATED: Why Jackie Chan Never Joined Stallone's Expendables Movies. 'Ip Man 2' was the biggest local hit of the year in China, and enjoyed a limited theatrical release in the US.The film's success led to Donnie being cast as a number of legendary Chinese heroes: He played General Qin-long in Daniel Lee's '14 Blades', Guan Yu in 'The Lost Bladesman' and reprised Bruce Lee's Chen Zhen role in Andrew Lau's 'Legend of the Fist'. Yen certainly has a point and as seen in John Wick 4's marketing materials of the actor donning massive sunglasses and a black suit (no Mandarin collars! But that was also very much about how the cultural because if you are born and raised and only live in Asia versus if you are American-born Chinese or Asian, because here the whole mentality, the whole educational process, the whole upbringing is very different. Its like, even with the hot dog fingers, when you look at them, youre going, what? Jacket, $2,800, vest, $590, shirt (vintage), and pants, $690, by Double RL. There was a rumor youd get a Bond spin-off, though that didnt happen. Theres one universe where people have floppy hot dog fingers, and another only inhabited by rocks. When Evelyn Wang walks, she is slightly bent over and slightly humped on the side because thats the years of hard work that has created this posture. While it is great that Staheleski is open to making changes and removing stereotypes as per Yen's request, we still see one big issue though: How is having a Hong Kong action star appearing as a blind martial arts expert in Hollywood movies isn't in itself a stereotype? Like, running and taking off my things and going, OK, now Im going on a plane, and fly straight back to China in Shanghai to be with him. Its more to illustrate what he has faced his whole career, and what he and other Asian actors are up against, even now. Donnie Yen is a martial-arts master and one of the top leading men in the new style of Hong Kong action cinema. Im hanging out with Benny, next thing you know hes gone. Is there a universe you didnt like? Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen recently recalled two different occasions when legendary martial arts actor Jet Li nearly blinded him. Because when I was making Crazy Rich Asians, I was doing a Chinese movie at the same time for Master Yuen Woo-Ping. ), Caine is looking cool and fashionable like all the other John Wick characters. You know, inHero we did all the poetic shots and beautiful color and posingits been done, Yen says. The film's two action highlights saw Donnie's character duel the legendary martial arts master Wong Fei-hung, played by his old friend Jet Li. In 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story', Yen plays one of the Rebel warriors responsible for the theft of the Death Star plans, the adventure that, within the 'Star Wars' universe, leads to the events of the very first film in the series. So, they said, well, OK, if you want to try action, if it doesnt succeed, thats the easiest thing. I mean, the universe of your life, your real life as a martial arts movie star, was very sad. It was likeKill Bill. Sometimes a little intimidating and scary. But she never gives up trying, even though her business is failing. So, that was that kind of physical comedy that I had not done before. From the Triads! Yen says with a grin, relishing the story. And theres more. Ich denke eine direkte Antwort kann man darauf nicht geben. And they missbecause Yen knows that sometimes a full-bodied haymaker that doesnt connect is as useful in selling the reality of a scene as a dozen perfectly timed strikes. Jet Li Nearly Blinded Donnie Yen While Filming On Two Different Movies, Donnie Yen's Ip Man 2 Has A Secret Jet Li Connection (& It's Genius), John Wick 4 - Why Donnie Yen Is More Important Than You Think. Not to give away, but theyre very tender in your hot dog universe. Kicked. Boots, $1,495, by Christian Louboutin. But so, Evelyn Wang, when shes pushing her husband out of the way, its like, I have no time for you today. The film saw Donnie bring his own unique flair to classical Shaw Bros style kung fu action.Donnie brought traditional Chinese martial arts into the modern era with 'Kung Fu Jungle', for which his work won yet another Best Choreography prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards.Away from the cameras, Yen entered into the most rewarding partnership of his life when he married former beauty queen, Cissy Wang. Doesnt smile, shared Yen, who suggested making Chirrut mwe blind. She barely notices Waymond, her husband, who tries to make her smile by sticking googly eyes on the laundry bags, or her lesbian daughter Joy, whos struggling to come out to her grandfather with absolutely no support from her mother. In this conversation, Kara Swisher and Yeoh discuss the film, which Kara describes as The Matrix meets L.S.D. And one of the things that was interesting to me is Ive never seen you in something so silly, which is, I think fantastic. Do you know theres auto-tune? But because at that time, there were no scripts that really cast us as a important enough character, you could be like a co-star or a guest star or whatever it is. Shes not trying to be funny. I was doing the press for Tomorrow Never Dies. They said, oh, you know this director, Ang Lee? He came over and he made a few movies. Everybodys supposed to be cool and fashionable. But Im there, you know?, Yens Chinese patriotism can get him into troublemost notably during the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, during which Yens pro-Beijing stance prompted many cinemagoers in his home city to boycott his movies. The couple now has two children, a girl and boy, Jasmine and James. Why can't he look cool and fashionable?" Following a high profile Los Angeles premiere, 'Ip Man 3' enjoyed a Los Angeles premiere and a US theatrical release, earning rave reviews in the mainstream American media.Having conquered every territory beneath the Asian skies, Donnie accepted an invitation to join the cast of an entry in the world's biggest film franchise. The world class creative team gathered by producer Harvey Weinstein included legendary kung fu film director Yuen Woo-ping, acclaimed directors Peter Berg and Morten Tyldum (as producers), 'X-Men' series DP Tom Sigel as well as the Oscar-winning production, costume and FX designers from the 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Hobbit' film series.The film debuted in most international territories as a Netflix Original movie, making it the most widely seen wu xia of all time. Much like other beloved Chinese actors before him, like Jackie Chan, Jet Li and the late Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen has found Hollywood fame after becoming a big star in Hong Kong action movies. Jaycee chan was great, he comes across very humble , Jackie chan had a small role in this film just like donnie yen which was a disappointment but none the less still enjoyable. Hong Kong martial arts cinema, starring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li Not only is he the director and executive producer, he also plays the lead and, in flashbacks, his characters father. But I am by myself and with a white-haired martial arts expert that you know, tells you exactly what to do. How did they get this opportunity? He shows me a rough cut of the trailer forakra. I do all of them, unless I mean, if its asking me to jump off the third floor, then I dont do that anymore. It was very competitive. His mother, Bow-sim Mark, was a kung fu master and his father, Kylster Yen, a newspaper editor and amateur musician. I would love to do like a Moulin Rouge because thats the dancer-performer in me. 'Ip Man' confirmed Donnie's position as China's greatest action hero, and he was immediately signed to lead a strong ensemble cast for Teddy Chen's 'Bodyguards and Assassins', produced by Peter Chan. That isnt, he says, a criticism directed solely atJohn Wick. These days, Yen is more selective with the Hollywood movies that he takes on. We literally spent the entire day coming up with moves, and then Yuen Woo-ping would say, Not cool enough. The entire day, without coming up with one shot., Those early films with Yuen provided Yen with a crash course in the art of making action movies. And there are so many of these stories to be told, and to be exchanged, and to be and also, what I love about Everything Everywhere All At Once, its about here. The film won Donnie his third Best Action Choreography prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards, as well as a prize for Best Action in a Foreign Language Film at the Taurus Awards.Yen explored different styles of screen combat when he choreographed the stunning kung fu fights for the period actioners 'Legend of the Fist' and 'The Lost Bladesman', the fantasy combat for 'The Monkey King' and the time travel adventure 'Iceman Cometh 3D'.Many fans feel that Yen delivered his best choreographic work to date in Peter Chan's masterful 'Wu Xia', released in the US as 'Dragon'. Donnie Yen - Rotten Tomatoes We will see. So is that what do you think being successful is? (I told you: ageless.). After a period where he was based in Los Angeles, Donnie returned East by way of the West when Jackie Chan requested that Yen play his nemesis in the hit 'Shanghai Knights', a shoot that took the star from Prague to London.Yen returned to China to co-star in director Zhang Yimou's epic wu xia master work 'Hero'. Our latest episode of Vs. might be our most epic yet as we pit the four biggest martial artists/movie stars of all time against each other in one stats-heavy battle royale: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Donnie Yen. His debut film immediately established him as a viable leading man, and Yen has remained a major figure in Chinese action cinema to this day.Yen skills as a street dancer were to the fore in his second starring role, 'Mismatched Couples', in which he showed off his breakdance moves, as well as his general athleticism. And I back up, Jet said, "Donnie, there's blood spilling out of your face." You were an equal match. Its like when you after I read the script, its like, no one has ever thought of me in a role like this, it is true. They never mention the true side of it. Thanks for listening. And What Even Is Web3? When I didBlade II I had a horrible time, man. You must not give up. Yen recalls getting approached by Disney to appear in the 2016Star Wars prequelRogue One. Guillermo was a total gentleman. Donnie Yen called out John Wick 4 Asian stereotypes, got script changes And you can sing to many, or you can just sing to one. Yen also revealed that his character Caine didn't initially check all of his boxes until director Chad Staheleski made some changes. Every Jackie Chan Vs Donnie Yen Fight Scene - screenrant.com Naturally, his old pal Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson) is back to lend Chon and hand and continuously mispronounces his name as "John Wayne", while Chon's sister Lin (Fann Wong) also signs up for the mission. Yen himself was nominated for Best Actor at the Chinese Hundred Flower awards.Yen followed this with 'Ip Man 2', a rare example of a sequel that proved a match for its predecessor. The Planet Is Burning. Overall, I enjoyed making the film, he says. If there was a multiverse universe that you can jump into, I want to be a rock star. The second time we spoke, Yen was energized to see Michelle Yeoh, a friend and costar of Yens for decades, win a Golden Globe forEverything Everywhere All at Once after being critically ignored for so long. John Wick 4's Donnie Yen Shares Experiences Dealing With Asian You are engaged with that emotional thread connection that keeps going through it. Why can't he have a normal name? Its the same attitude that has guided Yen throughout his career. I went on to do like Memoirs of a Geisha.. Think about it. 04 Mar 2023 03:42:41 And so, I thought, there was a lot of pressure to make sure they took you seriously. Donnie Yen criticises original 'John Wick: 4' script for stereotyping Ive got to perform. Why cant he have a normal name? One thing I pointed out is he was a stereotype. Between you and Jamie Lee Curtis. Then the wardrobe again oh, mandarin collars. I cant take it with me, Yen says. Right. Is there any type of roles you havent played yet that you really want to do? Pokmon Detective Pikachu Sequel Finds Its Writer and Director, and More Movie News, Womens History Month TV and Streaming Guide 2023, All Rocky and Creed Movies Ranked by Tomatometer, RT Fans Crown Jurassic Park the Ultimate Steven Spielberg Movie, Everything Everywhere All at Once Wins the A24 Showdown, RT Users Crown Toy Story the Best Pixar Film Ever, The Most Anticipated TV & Streaming Shows of March 2023, Daisy Jones & The Six Stars Riley Keough and Sam Claflin on Making the Band, Copyright Fandango. Then the wardrobe againoh, mandarin collars. I've already done Jackie Chan's best fights and Jet Li's best fights, so with the domestic release of Dragon (), it's time to look at the best fights from the current king of Hong Kong action movies, Donnie Yen.. 7 Hong Kong actors who made it big in Hollywood, from Jackie Chan - MSN But the Daniels have so cleverly manipulated the situations that, you know, theres always that miscommunication, which creates misunderstandings, which become like, oh my god, oh my god, this is just the train wreck waiting to happen. The film played at the prestigious Udine Festival in Italy, and took home awards at several other events, including the Japanese Yubari International Action Film Festival.Donnie's body of work had by then attracted the attention of Hollywood, and Yen was approached to choreograph the action for the mainstream franchise films 'Highlander: Endgame' and 'Blade 2'. With only one film in the massive long-running franchise, Yen's role as the blind fighter proved to be one of the more popular characters since Star Wars' return to cinema with Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. At the same time, he began spending his nights in Boston's notorious Combat Zone. 'Seven Swords' premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and proved a hit with worldwide audiences. I went to my friends karate school, or a boxing gym, Yen says. But that touches and goes places. But the producer walked by me, wouldnt even talk to me. On set, Yen would devise intricate martial arts routines, only to be told to wrap it up and move on. Yen, broke, would hang around film sets just so he could eat for free. Is it a lonely existence? The emotion, the commitment, its real. Its the first Hollywood movie since the early 90s to have a modern story and all-Asian casts. When Yuen Woo-ping is talking, everybody would just listen. You can sing in those. Are Billionaires the Answer? So hopefully now they will, you know, get on the horse and really ride out. Its too easy to take that route. Beginning with the cop actioner 'SPL', Donnie teamed with helmer Wilson Yip for a series of very different films that Yen would star in and action choreograph and Yip would direct. I think action movies, he says, are a genre that everybody in the world can appreciate.. He notably turned down a role in The Expendables franchise due to how Jet Li, who played the character Yin Yang, was portrayed in the first film. You cant do that anymoreIll hang it up., Oliver Franklin-Wallis is the features editor atBritish GQ, A version of this story originally appeared in the March 2023 issue of GQ with the title Hong Kongs Ageless Action Hero, PRODUCTION CREDITS:Photographs by Puzzleman LeungStyled by Jacky TamHair by Little WhiteSkin by Kenji NgTailoring by Mrs. LamProduced by Jolene Lin, Apply Bed Bath and Beyond Coupon and save 25% Off your entire purchase, Target Circle: up to 50% Off with Target promo code, Save 25% on your purchase of Spring Styles with Asos Coupon, Michael Kors Promo Code: sign up for KORSVIP + Get 10% Off on First Order, 2023 Cond Nast. Its why he relishes every action sceneevery bump, every bruise. Its a movie its about the Chinese culture. susie on Twitter: "More than 5,000 NPC deputies and members of the One question that had always bugged him, for example: Why doesnt anybody miss? Her face is still Evelyn Wang going, what the heck is going on? The movie, which premiered at the London Film Festival, paid tribute to the great history of Hong Kong martial arts cinema.During the shooting of his ambitious, time travel themed action fantasy 'Iceman 3D', Yen was approached to revitalize the greatest brand in the history of Chinese martial arts cinema. The characters are there, but its more about the love rather than just the playing around, the pranks that they would do on the poor girl poor Constance, and you know. Thats not going to happen. Shirt, $535, and tie, $220, by Dries Van Noten. One thing I pointed out is he was a stereotype. Yen also didn't establish himself in the West to the extent that Chan had until much later on, but he's every bit as recognizable now, and today, Yen has grown into one of the biggest and most revered martial arts stars in the world. He started hanging out at other gyms around Boston. Yen might be approaching 60, but in person he looks a decade younger: lean and muscular, radiant skin, Wite-Out smile. Thankfully, Lin pops up for an explosive assist at the last moment that fits right in with the silliness the Shanghai movies pride themselves on. The companys first two movies,Legend of the Wolf andBallistic Kisswhich Yen cowrote, produced, directed, and starred intanked at the box office. Although, if theres a villain in the movie, the real evil here is nihilism. So he had a stunt double wired up, Yen explains. If there was a stunt, you did it yourself. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. "The name was Shang or Chang. Bruce Lee vs. Jackie Chan vs. Jet Li vs. Donnie Yen It was because she suddenly realized thats when I dont have Waymond and I dont have Joy. Donnie Yen on Raging Fire, John Wick 4, and How Yuen Woo-ping It was old-school military, Yen says. I have no idea. I dont understand this. Its okayIm going to shoot you from one side. Yen laughs. When that camera rolls, I cango.. His skills behind the camera began developing from his early days in the industry, and he was very much involved with the action choreography of his films for D&B Films. She was very forceful, old school, like what you see in the movies. Hes totally cool, and he loves martial arts movies, Yen says. Chasing the Dragon (Chinese: ; Sidney Lau: Jui 1 Lung 4), previously known as King of Drug Dealers, is a Hong Kong-Chinese action crime drama film directed by Wong Jing and Jason Kwan. As one of the few Cantonese students, the mainland was a different world. Donnie Yen confirms Ip Man 4 will be his final kung fu film As a former student of the wing chun grandmaster, Lee also features in Ip Man 4, this time played by Hong Kong actor Danny Chan -. Instead of coming across, and I'm supposed to block it like this, he comes across horizontally. I think, for me, no. If youre listening on The Times website and want to get each new episode of Sway delivered to you, along with the chance to dance with Jamie Lee Curtis, download any podcast app, then search for Sway and follow the show. This is not uncommon. And I just went, when? This is aJohn Wick movie. Its a stylish affair, beautifully shot. Were comparing these legends of global cinema across four categories Box Office, Tomatometer and Audience Scores, Iconic Moments, and a special Wild Card Round to see who is the one man left standing when all the dust has settled/limbs have been snapped/henchmen have been felled. In 2019, Yen was working with the director Benny Chan on a cop movie calledRaging Fire, when Chan fell ill during production. of Cond Nast: This Is No Longer a Magazine Company, The Digital Tools That Aided the Buffalo Gunman and What to Do About Them. Ridiculous athleticism. (Given that series treatment of Jet Liwhose character is called, and Im not joking, Yin Yangyou can imagine why.) You can see after the huge success of Crazy Rich Asians, can you imagine the weight on our shoulders at that point? Wed broken each others staffs, so we were holding two, one in each hand. The prop staffs werent up to the task, so they were using real bamboo, solid, heavy as hell.. Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen talks about his favorite martial arts films, his extensive career, and infusing his latest film, Flash Point, with the styles of Mixed Martial Arts. Jacket, $4,700, pants, $1,650, and belt, $830, by Gucci. If you place the camera over there, I already know exactly where the frame is. Later, as Yen began to work on his own choreography, he learned to compose the film as he went, editing in his head, so that when I moveokay, I move this way towards this medium shot, then I reserve this movement, four, five, and six, to the wider shot. Maybe now it can happen. Your loss is my gain, bro. Due to restrictions imposed by the Mao government of the era, Yens motherBow-sim Mark, a nationally renowned wushu grandmasterwas not permitted to accompany them. Something similar happened just recently, while makingJohn Wick: Chapter 4. Donnie Yen was born in Guangzhou, China. Academically, Yen was a mediocre student. The name was Shang or Chang, the Ip Man star said. Its very, very limited. John Wick: Chapter 4 is hitting theatres on March 24. Given that he was by now a serious practitioner of modern Wu Shu, his parents decided to send him to Beijing to train at the Chinese capital's famed Wu Shu academy.It was when Yen returned to Hong Kong en route back to Boston that he met the famed martial arts movie director Yuen Woo-ping.Donnie exploded onto the Hong Kong movie scene when he was cast in the lead role of director Yuen Woo-ping's 'Drunken Tai Chi'. But thats another discussion. Joe Origins, starring. They thats actually very, very interesting, very clever question, because I do work on both. Previous adaptations have had mixed receptions. He said, hes wondering if, you know, you have time to have a quick cup of tea with him. The Rise of Gru. Oh, my god. Donnie Yen was a martial artist who became a performer. After starring in blockbusters like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Disney's live-action Mulan, Yen will soon appear in John Wick 4 as Caine, an old friend of Wick's who is speculated to be an. It was heralded as a game-changer of how U.S. viewed the Asian film industry. I dont know how long that will last, he says. You know, whats the value of life? what it did was I think it changed for a lot of our Asian talent because there were more roles that were written. These people belong to another dimension, right? He grew up absorbing every book, movie, TV show that he could get his eyes on. Like Li, Yen began his martial arts action career in Hong Kong in the mid-1980s with the Yuen Woo-Ping-directed film Drunken Tai Chi. Then It Changed My Life. Because thats how we are wired, in so many ways. Youre not allowed to ask questions. Born July 27, 1963 in Canton, China. Yen was born in Guangzhou, on the Chinese mainland. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Yen was on the set of Tsui Harks now classic 1992 sequelOnce Upon a Time in China II, filming the kind of action scene they really dont make anymore. Now, although these are prop swords, they are still quite pointy. Which I cant even explain.