I do all of them, unless I mean, if its asking me to jump off the third floor, then I dont do that anymore. The companys first two movies,Legend of the Wolf andBallistic Kisswhich Yen cowrote, produced, directed, and starred intanked at the box office. Chan's physicallevel of dedication is also second to none, with Chan incurring one painful injury and broken bone after another, many of them captured for the world to see in the outtakes frequently included at the end of many Jackie Chan movies. Yen details his famous fight scene in 1992's Once Upon a Time in China II when Li cut his left brow with a large bamboo staff, causing him to get stitches. Will ringmaster Mark Ellis give the W to the Drunken Master, the true Hero,Ip Man himself, or the mother-bleeping Dragon himself? The first Chinese UFC champion Zhang Weili states that Yen . I did that . Why do we do this? But I am by myself and with a white-haired martial arts expert that you know, tells you exactly what to do. One thing I pointed out is he was a stereotype. Leeeeeeeeeeeets get ready to rumble in the Bronx. Its comedy. But at the end of the day, you take a step back and go, empathy. In Hong Kong I spent two weeks shooting this stuff!I think its a lack of respect, and a level of not understanding, not appreciating what we do.. Over the course of his very long career,kung fu star Jackie Chan has brought audiences equal amounts of thrills and laughter with his penchant for comedy-laced action movies packed full of martial arts and death-defying stunts. Who is the ultimate fighter? Donnie, can you come in and shoot a close-up? With a passion for storytelling, his favorite media can give an idea of who he is: Vertigo, Panic Room, Jurassic Park, Lawrence of Arabia. Theyve been part of this community forever. And this idea of nothing matters, you can go two ways. Heaven or hell, or whatever. Its not just the age thing. And Im like, no way. Shes not trying to be funny. Joe Origins, starring. Who knows: In my 70s I might be lucky, and be one of those very few that are still able tobut why push that?, Thats why he still wakes up in the morning and does jump kicks. Speaking with GQ, Yen admitted that he was nearly blinded by Li while filming with him on two different movies. (Caines redesigned look is, Yen says, partly an homage to his hero Bruce Lee.). Id never been to Beijing before. Bruce Lee vs. Jackie Chan vs. Jet Li vs. Donnie Yen. And then we just attacked it. The Chinese, we all have our way of interpreting the story. The shot was simple: Yen had to block an incoming strike with his pole, while keeping the straight face of a badass wushu master. Yen playsGeneral Lone, a warrior out to free the land of Huadu from the tyrannical rule of a sinister Queen. So, the movie borrows from, obviously, martial arts movies in a very cheeky way. And her husband, and father and daughter. In China, Yen can play drug lords, animated monkeys, romantic leads, soldierseven sing. Yes. The biggest stars - Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen - kung fu and wuxia, the leading martial arts film directors, and the best films to watch. Theres a love story. They never mention the true side of it. All rights reserved. Coat, $1,981, by Lanvin. In an interview with GQ, Yen, 59, shared that he spoke to "John Wick: Chapter 4" director Chad Stahelski about making adjustments to Caine, a blind assassin whose first iteration allegedly employed several Asian tropes. David Axelrod, Sarah Longwell and Preet Bharara on What to Look For in the Jan. 6 Hearings, The Elon That Were Seeing Today Is Not the Same One We Saw a Couple Years Ago, David Ellison on Top Gun: Maverick, Working With Tom Cruise and Hiring John Lasseter. an old friend of Wick's who is speculated to . Something similar happened just recently, while makingJohn Wick: Chapter 4. Boots, $1,495, by Christian Louboutin. But he feels it in his body, that he is not quite as quick as he once was. Copyright 2018 Fandango. Yen's duel with Jet Li brought his skills to the emerging Mainland Chinese theatrical audience, and paved the way for Donnie to become the country's biggest action star. Does this open up opportunities for you, do you think? A dildo? So, none of us go in saying, Im going to make you laugh purposely, you know. The women became the character that needs to be provided for and protected and all those kind of things. The film premiered to great acclaim at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, and subsequently received a North American theatrical release from The Weinstein Company.Donnie Yen played 'The Monkey King' in a hit reimagining of the Chinese classic. I witnessed gangsters fight on the set. And thats, I think, the tension between the mother and the daughter. Typical master. As he often does on movies that hes directing or producing, Yen fed into every element of production: costumes, sets, music, action choreography. But hes never forgotten it. Yes, poise. It's all here Yes, I think this is a love story, in a lot of ways, between also a mother and a daughter. Yen, broke, would hang around film sets just so he could eat for free. So, a movie musical, not a Broadway musical. I try to look at it less defensive than before. Because when I was making Crazy Rich Asians, I was doing a Chinese movie at the same time for Master Yuen Woo-Ping. And, while hes still known for his fight scenesno actor better understands or displays the balletic beauty of raw, human combathe no longer has to take shots in the face. If there's one thing Donnie Yen is going to do, it is to call out stereotypes when he sees it. (I told you: ageless.). Donnie Yen really said no Mandarin Collars, but blind Martial Arts expert is okay. The film brought Yen his first real attention as a thespian and he was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category at that year's Hong Kong Film Awards.Tsui Hark went on to produce a remake of King Hu's classic 'New Dragon Inn', which provided another showcase role for Donnie as the film's apparently invincible villain.Donnie was reunited with director Yuen Woo-ping for 'Iron Monkey', a film which brought Yen's acting and action skills both into focus. Its the first Hollywood movie since the early 90s to have a modern story and all-Asian casts. I never say no to him. The film, with Wilson Ip as director and Yuen as choreographer, pitted the title character against legendary boxing champion Mike Tyson. Oh, yeah. Theres drama. Everybody, one way or the other, knows a Triad, he says. Yen also revealed that his character Caine didn't initially check all of his boxes until director Chad Staheleski made some changes. Its not contemporary. Which I cant even explain. Throughout his career, Hollywood has never quite known what to do with himor, until recently, any Asian leading men, for that matter. Now, if they hit you in the head, they'll knock you out. Shes looking for the mother that she can connect with. I said, "Really? When it first came, I was like, no, no, no, no, no. And then, to just let loose and to be able to go, bleh, and then all of us just went we were so committed to making this because, when you read it, it is wacky. Overall, I enjoyed making the film, he says. Every day: pain. Im Kara Swisher, and youre listening to Sway. My guest today is Michelle Yeoh, the actor whose nearly four-decade career has included roles in films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Tomorrow Never Dies, and Crazy Rich Asians. But only now has Yeoh gotten her first Hollywood top billing in Everything Everywhere All At Once, a new movie by a pair of filmmakers known as the Daniels. The film, which starred Adrian Paul and Christopher Lambert, was produced by the US studio Dimension, and enjoyed a successful worldwide theatrical release.Having relocated to Los Angeles, Yen paid his dues by directing action scenes for the Dimension action thriller 'Stormbreaker' and providing the fight sequences for the German TV series 'The Puma'.Donnie agreed to both action direct and cameo in the major New Line action franchise entry 'Blade 2', starring Wesley Snipes. 7 Hong Kong actors who made it big in Hollywood, from Jackie Chan - of course - and Donnie Yen in Star Wars and John Wick, to Reminiscence star Daniel Wu 28/10/2021 Kim accused of damaging . Right? Everybodys supposed to be cool and fashionable. More News. Although Yen had a steady career throughout the decade, he didn't truly make a name for himself until his role in Li's Once Upon a Time in China II. Bullying a Dragon: Donnie has an anecdote in which he and his girlfriend were harassed in a Hong Kong club in the 1990s by a troublesome gang. And one of the great things about cinema, he says, is how unifying it can betranscending barriers of both language and culture. 01 March . A lot of people might not be happy for what Im saying, but Im speaking from my own experience., Where once, Hollywoods attitude toward Chinese filmmakers might have angered him, today Yen is more accepting. Its a stylish affair, beautifully shot. Brad also offers philosophical musings on martial arts and the filmographies of everyone from Jackie Chan to Donnie Yen on Kung Fu Kingdom, where he's also had the privilege of interviewing many of the world's great stunt professionals, and hearing plenty of gripping stories on injuries incurred in their line of work and the intricacies of designing the acts of death defiance he first thrilled to as a youngster. You have to take care of yourself. They grapple and fight dirty. Theyve been here. Do you think its a new phase or not? He started to dress like Lee, showing off his moves at school, stuffing nunchucks in his socks. 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'. There was a rumor youd get a Bond spin-off, though that didnt happen. Yeah, so its a silly premise, but the heart of it is not silly. Donnie Yen has been punched, in the name of moviemaking, more times than he can count. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. Youll be able to catch up on Sway episodes you may have missed, like my conversation with Andrew Garfield. Talk about this dynamic between your character, Evelyn, your daughter, Joy. The film, which starred two of China's top pop idols, told the tale of young vampire hunters with well-honed martial arts skills. Yen's portrayal of the eponymous Wing Chun grandmaster and mentor to the legendary Bruce Lee in the Ip Man moviessubsequently made him a household name to Western audiences. Anyone can read what you share. A half-beat slower. I could have been blind. 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'. So hopefully now they will, you know, get on the horse and really ride out. Yes, yes. Your loss is my gain, bro. The next day, the director called. 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'. And Jamie Lee Curtis plays Deirdre, the I.R.S. And you should see, Jamie and I, we look at each other and, wahaa! In your dreams, buddy. Enjoy some creature comforts. That hasnt stopped a lot of people. And then it didnt. TAGGED AS: Action, Film, films, Martial Arts, movie, movies. When Donnie was just two years old, the family moved to Hong Kong and then, when he was 11, to Boston, Massachusetts.There, Master Bow-sim Mark became a pioneer for Chinese martial arts in America, and it was only natural that her only son was trained from early childhood in the same skills. But I think its Barbara Broccoli, Michael Wilson, the producers who realize, its like, yes, lets do something different. Its hard to do, Yen says. Its a movie its about the Chinese culture. You were an equal match. Doesnt smile, Yen says. Yen is next set to appear in the highly-anticipated John Wick: Chapter 4 with Keanu Reeves and Sleeping Dogs, an adaptation of the popular video game of the same name. Meanwhile, Yen continued to produce quality martial arts films in Hong Kong, creating an international hit as the titular kung fu master in Ip Man. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. It was very difficult for my mom, because she couldnt accept that, like, Why couldnt you learn from me? But I guess I was born having that personality, always curious of what was out there.. At the time, the demand for martial arts movies was waning, and Yen was determined to innovate within a genre starting to grow stale. In 2016, he starred in Netflix's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny opposite Harry Shum Jr. and Michelle Yeoh. Whether you're a fan of the original stars or excited to see them in a new light, this video is sure to captivate and inspire. Always fighting. All rights reserved. Lashana Lynch might become that, but well see. Immerhin hat er in "Die Todeskralle schlgt wieder . Lately, Yen has been thinking more about his legacy. Stop trying to change the other person. Why can't he have a normal name? Today, Brad channels his thoughts on all manner of movies, from comic book films, sci-fi thrillers, comedies, and everything in between through his writings on Screen Rant. Yen was born in Guangzhou, on the Chinese mainland. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Donnie also received a Best Actor nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Its wild, its wonderful, its weird, its everything. But then, what is it youre giving up? And I think, you know, the last two years, especially with the intensity and the tragedy of the pandemic, how its affected us, its really, really highlighted how much we need this human connection. Sunglasses, his own. There was the Yuen clan, the Jackie Chan clan, and the Sammo Hung clan, Yen says. But shes so committed to her role. Why does he always have to be called Shang or Chang? Yen finished the film in his memory. This video is a playful and imaginative tribute to three of the world's greatest martial artists, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Donnie Yen, but with a twist. Actors including Jackie Chan, Rogue One's Donnie Yen and Transformers star Li . Although his success in the West has been inconsistent, arguably Yen's most well-known role outside of Hong Kong is Chirrut mwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Shes literally busy. So, talk about being silly because you, you know, in many of your movies, youre dignified, poised, et cetera. Because in 2020, Chinas film market became the worlds biggest box office. I got knocked back about eight feet. So what they did was, like, lets switch the roles because its not been done. Special thanks to Kristin Lin and Kristina Samulewski. I saw stars. John Wick: Chapter 4 is set for release on March 24. Even with the Crazy Rich Asians one, we sort of diverted from the original book. Because thats how we are wired, in so many ways. . Theyre not serving Chinese foodbecause they never had authentic Chinese. Jacket (price upon request), by Willy Chavarria. There will always be more people like Michelle, he said. I dont want to repeat the same thing that youve seen. Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Apple News. Its a martial arts movie. '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. Why cant he look cool and fashionable? With Yens influence, the director Chad Stahelski agreed to change the name and the wardrobe. You can play, you can playjust come in and jam., But that free-flowing collaborative style meant that when Yen started getting jobs as an action choreographer in the US in the early aughts, he rubbed up against the compartmentalized way that Hollywood studios ran things. Is that correct? That discussion between her and the man she left behind. Let me take a look." Not only is he the director and executive producer, he also plays the lead and, in flashbacks, his characters father. In a recent interview with GQ magazine, Yen revealed that he wasn't originally keen on accepting the role of Caine - a blind assassin and friend of the lead protagonist - after deeming that it perpetuated Asian stereotypes. Hes totally cool, and he loves martial arts movies, Yen says. Yes, but you have, OK money in the bank. Donnie also took up hip-hop and break-dancing. We were completely, completely, as a family, committed. We will see. And I think that was the biggest leap of empowerment. More recently, he passed on a role in DCsAquaman in order to spend time with his family. What a charming little film, I enjoyed watching this film , it had a good story line , the actors played out the parts very well. Youre right. You went on to star in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 2000, which was a mega-hit globally. In 1997, Yen set up his own production company, Bullet Films. A few years ago, for example, he turned down a role in theExpendables franchise. The steps are choreographed. You cannot look like you know what youre doing. Yen calmly warned them to leave them alone, but the thugs opted to attack him, which ended up with Donnie thoroughly kicking their asses in the street. But you might never have. I had a very respectful experience working onJohn Wick. Is it a lonely existence? She knows these kind of women, and their jobs, and the responsibility of that job, and how it can really turn so many lives upside down. Shanghai Knightsarrived during the peak of Jackie Chan's conquest of Hollywood and is widely regarded as one of his best Western action comedies, though it trades the Americanizedelement of Shanghai Noon for a trip across the pond to Victorian England. He shows me a rough cut of the trailer forakra. We cant be invincible. And the women became the damsel in distress. And Im like, are you kidding me? Oh, my god, I wish I could just flick my head back and zoom. I would love to do like a Moulin Rouge because thats the dancer-performer in me. Do you play a big role in the next movie? And I back up, Jet said, "Donnie, there's blood spilling out of your face." More from NextShark: Curtis Waters is more than a TikTok gimmick: 'There's so much amazing sh*t that I have yet to do'.