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. RELATED: Why Jackie Chan Never Joined Stallone's Expendables Movies. Six stitches again, two times, both sides close to my eyeballs. But she did not say, OK, lets just wrap it up and call it a day. Yen was born in Guangzhou, on the Chinese mainland. Between you and Jamie Lee Curtis. Growing up, Brad developed an innate love of movies and storytelling, and was instantly enamored with the world of adventure while following the exploits of Indiana Jones, Japanese kaiju, and superheroes. At first, youre looking at the fingers. 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. Thanks for listening. And we are very, very much part of you know, the Asians belong. I dont want to get political. The Founding of a Republic - Wikipedia When Yen was 10, the family was reunited and moved to Boston, where his father had landed a posting as an editor for a Chinese newspaper. The film was a huge success in Hong Kong and China, and 'Ip Man' went on to find favor with audiences worldwide. 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 -. It was old-school military, Yen says. In Hong Kong during those heady early days, there was no real dividing line between the actors and the stunt department. Beau Deirdre I can never say her name. Gender-Bending the Best Martial Artists: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and 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. The two had a 20-year quest to join a project together. . Youre not allowed to ask questions. Donnie Yen was born in Guangzhou, China. I dont want to do that again. Most of the people outside of China dont see it until they are there, Yen says. They are meant to be respectful. Then cameIp Man, the semifictionalized 2008 film about the eponymous wing chun master (who was Bruce Lees mentor), which launched a four-film franchise and, in China at least, an entire genre ofIp Man derivatives. Its like, even with the hot dog fingers, when you look at them, youre going, what? The 2000s saw Yen transition to Hollywood with appearances in Blade II as Snowman and Shanghai Knights opposite Jackie Chan. I have stage fright. I was trying to find an identity. 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. 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. So, none of us go in saying, Im going to make you laugh purposely, you know. A father and daughter, husband and wife. Even as Hollywood has ignored Asian actors, it has over the years co-opted the visual techniques and tropes of Hong Kong cinema. Donnie Yen recently revealed that the production team behind "John Wick: Chapter 4" redesigned his character Caine after he spoke out against it being an Asian stereotype. The shot was simple: Yen had to block an incoming strike with his pole, while keeping the straight face of a badass wushu master. 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. The 59-year old will not be taking on Hollywood roles that are deemed "generic" and if it doesn't respect his Chinese culture. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. And the mother is trying to convince her otherwise. Suddenly, shes thrust into a multiverse where she can jump between different versions of her life. I went to my friends karate school, or a boxing gym, Yen says. "The name was Shang or Chang. Her face is still Evelyn Wang going, what the heck is going on? Its basically The Matrix meets LSD trip. Naturally, Chan and Yen had to come face-to-face on the big screen sooner or later, with the pair ultimately fightingtwice. The film won Donnie his second Best Action Choreography prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards.He took his on-screen depiction of MMA to new heights in 'Flashpoint', which featured an even longer and more intense final showdown, this time between Yen and 'Matrix Reloaded' actor Collin Chou. Right, because she finds that ridiculous. He was electric, determined, lightning fast. Did you have a favorite multiverse? Theres a lot of failure along the line. Yes. Then the wardrobe again oh, mandarin collars. It's always fun to see Chan dip his toes into new waters and re-invent his persona, and his battle with Donne Yen in Twins Effect II is an example of exactly that in a sword-clashing duel of two martial arts legends. Typical master. Yen is the latest Asian action star to find Hollywood fame, following the likes of Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Bruce Lee. The 12 best Donnie Yen fight scenes Flixist It could be a mother, an auntie, a grandmother that goes by unnoticed because shes so puts her head down, just goes about her day to do the things to ensure that shes making a better life for her family, and you know, the running the errands. You never walk away from someone in need. Lets have a woman whos comparable to James Bond. At the end of the 50 movies, maybe the 48th, 49 moves, he strikes down with his sword. For actors like Yen, who came up in that golden age of kung fu, there were no digital effects. Because when I was making Crazy Rich Asians, I was doing a Chinese movie at the same time for Master Yuen Woo-Ping. Doesnt smile, shared Yen, who suggested making Chirrut mwe blind. 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.. Youre a super heroine, and in no time you will be back on your feet again. 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. Yes, poise. 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. Who is the ultimate fighter? I know exactly where the camera is. Are they respectful of Chinese culture? ), Nevertheless, some hurts still linger. And What Even Is Web3? Drop my hands. Thats part of life. While the more familiar faces of Jackie Chan and Jet Li are household names in America, the 48-year-old Yen still needs one real chance to show his stuff with a significant part in a Hollywood-produced blockbuster to add his name to the list. Donnie also took up hip-hop and break-dancing. Not only is he the director and executive producer, he also plays the lead and, in flashbacks, his characters father. It was such a sensation. What a charming little film, I enjoyed watching this film , it had a good story line , the actors played out the parts very well. And shes not trying to be funny. Here in America, you are taught you have to be self-sufficient. Its a martial arts movie. And I remembered when Ang came to me, at that time, I was doing the press . At the time, the demand for martial arts movies was waning, and Yen was determined to innovate within a genre starting to grow stale. Yen recalls getting approached by Disney to appear in the 2016Star Wars prequelRogue One. Yeah. And that was how my journey started. Jacket (price upon request), by Willy Chavarria. Why can't he look cool and fashionable?" Donnie Yen. I do all of them, unless I mean, if its asking me to jump off the third floor, then I dont do that anymore. I mean, I look at life and were only here for a short time, you know? Theres a love story. Its these floppy things. And I think thats a cowards way out. And the guys had to step in and teach them a lesson. 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. Yes. 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. Something similar happened just recently, while makingJohn Wick: Chapter 4. He was eventually forced to borrow money from loan sharks. Your character doesnt know martial arts in her universe, but she can tap into her skills of a different Evelyn in a universe where shes a martial arts movie star which is basically your real life, by the way. I want to be a singer. Oh, I was a Chinese opera singer. I have no tendons in the shoulder, he says. There will always be more people like Michelle, he said. 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. Oh, no, no, no. So that was what the Daniels were trying to they came up to me and said, no, no, no, no. But as a martial artist? Li solidified himself as an icon in the genre with his historical fiction epic Once Upon a Time in China as folk hero Wong Fei-hung. If youre in a podcast app already, you know how to get your podcasts, so follow this one. With a passion for storytelling, his favorite media can give an idea of who he is: Vertigo, Panic Room, Jurassic Park, Lawrence of Arabia. It took a long time for Yen to become a leading man. Special thanks to Kristin Lin and Kristina Samulewski. I know seven, eight is going to be the close-up. Yen demonstrates, throwing little blocks and jabs as if training at the wooden dummy. Its more to illustrate what he has faced his whole career, and what he and other Asian actors are up against, even now. I have something to say to you. You can sing in those. Chan isn't exactly known for wuxia-style action and wire fu, but the formerEnter the Dragonstuntman handles the somewhat foreign territory well alongside Twins Effect's downplayed emphasis on comedy and pratfalls. But hes never forgotten it. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Then It Changed My Life. Every Jackie Chan Vs Donnie Yen Fight Scene, Why Jackie Chan Never Joined Stallone's Expendables Movies, Yen's combat versatility seen in his MMA movies, Police Story: The Stunt That Almost Killed Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen Should Front A xXx Spinoff Franchise. All rights reserved. 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. He's only a few months younger than Jet Li, and they entered the . And he was going to be the principal. I could have been blind. Lets do it. Beginning in the early 80s, Li made a name for himself as one of the top martial artist action stars in Hong Kong cinema with films including Born to Defence and Shaolin Temple 3: Martial Arts of Shaolin. More than 5,000 NPC deputies and members of the CPPCC National Committee attend this year's #TwoSessions. A spy from another country. Anyway, Michelle, this has been a delight. Anyway: [Li] hurt himself. Previous adaptations have had mixed receptions. I received a text message from Jackie because I was not well. Its not like a Marvel universe where you can understand and you find it relatable. Donnie Yen: Movies, TV, and Bio - amazon.com Their bromance was crystallized in 2016, when Stallone presented the Chinese action icon with an honorary Academy. I would suspect she was, Im guessing. Crouching Tiger. Ive worked four or five movies with him already. Amazon.com: Blade of Kings : Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Bingbing Fan 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. Why is everything so generic?. The name was Shang or Chang, Yen says. We talked about the way you prepped and trained for the movie, and the Daniels had to tell you to be worse at fighting and things like that because youre such, again, also an elegant and specific fighter, the way you do stunts, whether its in Shang-Chi or Crouching Tiger.. In 1997, Yen set up his own production company, Bullet Films. I dont know how long that will last, he says. Jackie Chan is a performer who lea. And its very important that I find the Daniels was so bold and courageous to write the lead of the movie, an aging Asian immigrant woman, and give her such a powerful voice, and turn her into a superhero by going to all these multiverses and discovering that, you know, failures also make us who we are. And Ive been in that world forever. I think what the strong core of the message, apart from the very familial connections, is that no matter how tragic or how despair or frustrated you are, its you cannot give up. His mother, Bow-sim Mark, was a kung fu master and his father, Kylster Yen, a newspaper editor and amateur musician. Jackie Chan's 20-Year Quest to Share the Screen With Lifelong Friend Jet Li Finally Came to Fruition After Legal Barriers . But do you think it was supposed to change things, I remember. I think, for me, no. The companys first two movies,Legend of the Wolf andBallistic Kisswhich Yen cowrote, produced, directed, and starred intanked at the box office. But Id love to know how you would describe the film. So what happened was there was a shot where Jet Li was wired up and we both have these poles, these bamboo poles about this thick. And you must try and find joy and happiness. And I said, aw, poor you. Cinemagoers in China are being obliged to watch propaganda videos featuring some of the country's best-loved stars. But interestingly and maybe this is wrong because its been reported different places. This is my schedule, Yen says, showing me the calendar app on his phone, a grid of colored squares so stuffed that it looks like a Tetris endgame. Shes not trying to be funny. I dont even know how that would work in this story because . Im not going to be here talking about how to change how people feel about it. I have, yes, success and fame. 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. Donnie Yen Ji-dan (Chinese: ; pinyin: Zhn Zdn; born 27 July 1963) is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, and action director. 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. I have no idea. Global fans will recognize him from the likes of. 10 February 2023; . Half a day, a couple of hours. A couple of hours? Bad Movies: The 100 Worst Movies of All Time, Netflixs 100 Best Movies Right Now (March 2023), 100 Best Netflix Series To Watch Right Now (March 2023). 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. Ridiculous athleticism. Why cant he have a normal name? You are getting fat. And then we just attacked it. I got knocked back about eight feet. 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. Im curious, what did that movie did that change things for you in terms of roles coming in? But you might never have. He whacked me on one side and 10 years later, he whacked me on the other side. Who is the ultimate fighter? Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. The women became the character that needs to be provided for and protected and all those kind of things. And then he said to me, oh, the Daniels came and pitched me the movie in China. I think I would be nervous to throw a dildo at you. It was horrendous, says Yen. Does this open up opportunities for you, do you think? And you cannot be sensible and controlled when you are approaching a character like that because Evelyn Wang, to me, is a real person. (SINGING) When you walk in a room, do you have sway? Why does he always have to be called Shang or Chang? Its about you going out there and making your own life. 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. The film stars Donnie Yen as Crippled Ho, based on real life gangster Ng Sik-ho and Andy Lau reprising his role as Lee Rock from the film series of the same name.The film is about an illegal immigrant from . Do you ever think about that multiverse? of Cond Nast: This Is No Longer a Magazine Company, The Digital Tools That Aided the Buffalo Gunman and What to Do About Them. John Wick: Chapter 4 is set for release on March 24. Boots, $1,495, by Christian Louboutin. And this idea of nothing matters, you can go two ways. Even with the Crazy Rich Asians one, we sort of diverted from the original book. We cant be invincible. Not going to happen. All rights reserved. And in that universe, if you just have a very close-up of Jamie and myself holding each other, you see two women in love. Now, definitely. But my own experience, like, I was there, I have many friends who were there. And one of the things that was interesting to me is Ive never seen you in something so silly, which is, I think fantastic. Donnie Yen Vs Jackie Chan: Who Would Win? - Grunge.com The movie went on to sweep the board at the Hong Kong Film Awards winning Best Film, among many other prizes. So hopefully now they will, you know, get on the horse and really ride out. I went on to do like Memoirs of a Geisha.. Is that correct? And I almost chained up life. Jackie Chan and Li have known each other for a long time. Why can't he have a normal name? He came over and he made a few movies. One thing I pointed out is he was a stereotype. Yeah. Its a movie its about the Chinese culture. Nihilism is especially resonant with the pandemic and the war and everything else. I never say no to him. But if you have humanity, if you have empathy, if you have love, you never walk away from family, or you never walk away from friends. Let me take a look." GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Yens character, an assassin called Caine, originally went by another name. Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Apple News. Nothing matters, and therefore be free, or nothing matters, and therefore give up. The modernization. Immerhin hat er in "Die Todeskralle schlgt wieder . Its true. She calls herself a loser. Why do we do this? They grapple and fight dirty. So, you cannot say, well, I want to do this. (Yens mom had taught Yuens sister.) Yes. Necklace, $20,300, by Cartier. Compared to Chan's usual Buster Keaton-inspired comedic fight scenes throughout Shanghai Knights, his and Yen's kung fu showdown is the movie's most straightforward martial arts fight and really showed what Yen could do better than any American film had managed to at the time. Ad Choices, Nearing 60, the last of a golden era of martial arts stars looks back on an unparalleled careerand forward, to his role in the new, Donnie Yen Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters, The Essential Michelle Yeoh Viewing Guide. In 2016, he starred in Netflix's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny opposite Harry Shum Jr. and Michelle Yeoh. He grew up absorbing every book, movie, TV show that he could get his eyes on. Now, if they hit you in the head, they'll knock you out. 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. And Evelyn, who is I think it was the funniest when Evelyn realizes, what do you mean Im the worst failure of Evelyn Wang in all the universes? A huge hit for Emperor, the film earned Yen his first Best Action Director prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Oh, god, you know, with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, that was an Asian movie. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. But as it happened, his mother had a connection to the Hong Kong kung fu director Yuen Woo-ping. Special thanks to Shannon Busta, Kristin Lin and Kristina Samulewski. Shirt, $535, pants, $775, and tie, $220, by Dries Van Noten. Guillermo was a total gentleman. Lately, Yen has been thinking more about his legacy. Donnie Yen Simply Cannot Stop Kicking Ass | GQ I kid you not, it was spilling like shower spray. The progressthe freeways, the architecture, the convenience of lifestyle. He is upset when the Western media focuses only on negative stories about China. If the Daniels, if you look at them, you go, OK, anything goes. In this conversation, Kara Swisher and Yeoh discuss the film, which Kara describes as The Matrix meets L.S.D. He took the on-screen depiction of the style to new heights with the film 'SPL', released in the US as 'Kill Zone'. You know, whats the value of life? Yeah, its a big beating heart, but this woman is in great pain. ), Caine is looking cool and fashionable like all the other John Wick characters. Yes, yes. 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. Sliced open. This is a John Wick movie. All rights reserved. Donnie, can you come in and shoot a close-up? As a kid from Hong Kong, let alone one whod spent the previous six years in America, he barely fit in. 'Jackie Chan made me want to become a stuntman,' says Kenji Tanigaki, but he learned filmmaking working with Donnie Yen - lessons he's applied to Snake Eyes: G.I. The actor subsequently scored big hits including Butterfly and Sword and Wing Chun, with Everything Everywhere All at Once star Michelle Yeoh. I cant take it with me, Yen says. I guess my destiny is to be making movies., For a decade now, hes been talking about retiring. Nothing matters, be free, or nothing matters, give up. I would love to do like a Moulin Rouge because thats the dancer-performer in me. It was crazy macho stupidity, Yen says. 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. This is a very good question because you know, at that time, especially in the 80s, it was past the Shaw Brothers era where we had a lot of swordswomen who carried themselves but doing martial arts sword fighting. As an actor I dont want to. Donnie Yen (Creator) - TV Tropes And walk away. And so, I thought, there was a lot of pressure to make sure they took you seriously. [You can listen to this episode of Sway on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Google or wherever you get your podcasts.]. From the parents, the grandparents the hierarchy, right? Whats it like to be in such a silly film for you? One, why do you think it took so long? Maybe now it can happen. Chan and Yen's second big-screen fight is the inverse in every way from theirShanghai Knightsbout,being more weapon-based and placing Chan, in particular, into some very new territory. Donnie collaborated with Yuen on the action for the film, designing a new on-screen interpretation of Wong Fei-hung's classic 'Shadowless Kick'. There was a move where he spun around 360 degrees, he swings at me and I block it. Yen's final reel duel with Sammo Hung is now regarded as a classic of the genre. The Chinese, we all have our way of interpreting the story. TAGGED AS: Action, Film, films, Martial Arts, movie, movies. It became the first foreign language movie to break the $100 million mark in a U.S. box office, and had the most Oscar nods ever for a foreign language film until Roma few years ago from Netflix. Its too easy to take that route. The producer would come in and say, Thats it. But I think at the core of the story, really, its a very ordinary, average a woman that you walk by every day. There was the Yuen clan, the Jackie Chan clan, and the Sammo Hung clan, Yen says. Why does he always have to be called Shang or Chang? Not to give away, but theyre very tender in your hot dog universe. These people belong to another dimension, right? Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen recently recalled two different occasions when legendary martial arts actor Jet Li nearly blinded him. Why can't he have a normal name? The name was Shang or Chang, the Ip Man star said. Waymond is played by Ke Huy Quan. It was because she suddenly realized thats when I dont have Waymond and I dont have Joy. 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. I witnessed gangsters fight on the set. So, that was what she was trying to impart to her. Your loss is my gain, bro. Right? The film was shot primarily at the famed Elstree Studios in England.Donnie had a role opposite Vin Diesel and his fellow Asian action star, Tony Jaa, in xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017), which filmed in Toronto, Canada.Now firmly established as a leading player across the globe, Donnie Yen continues to present a unique blend of Eastern experience and Western innovation, of musical grace with martial impact, from Hong Kong to a galaxy far, far away.Donnie is one of the leading martial arts choreographers in the world of action cinema. Because the mother-daughter relationship is central to the story. I dont know. At that point, it was like, nothing will faze you.