Yen and fellow martial arts legend Jet Li go at it with bamboo poles, literally bringing down the building around them. Yens character, an assassin called Caine, originally went by another name. A father and daughter, husband and wife. He was signed to co-star in and action direct 'Highlander: Endgame', the latest in a series of fantasy actioners. 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.. By the time he arrived, Hong Kong was long-established as the epicenter of Chinese-language cinemaand also the locus of the most frenetic and daring action films on the planet. Everybody, one way or the other, knows a Triad, he says. In "Everything Everywhere All at Once," Yeoh plays the superhero: a Chinese American. 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. The shot was simple: Yen had to block an incoming strike with his pole, while keeping the straight face of a badass wushu master. Our stories do matter. "The name was Shang or Chang. 8 of 134. 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. Im doing Tigers Apprentice. Im in the next Minions.. Donnie Yen was a martial artist who became a performer. This is not uncommon. 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! I think they just announced they have a writer. Besides his on-screen performance, Donnie was also called on to choreograph the dynamic duel between himself and MMA champion Cung Le. When I didBlade II I had a horrible time, man. When Yen was 16, his parents arranged to send him to train with the famed Beijing Wushu Team, in China. Yes, but you have, OK money in the bank. Honestly, I would love to be in a musical. Theyre not serving Chinese foodbecause they never had authentic Chinese. I have been in so many countries in the world, but its not even close. 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. 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. Stop trying to change the other person. Then the wardrobe again oh, mandarin collars. Donnie Yen has also been in the business since the mid-'80s, but didn't truly break until the mid-2000s when he infusedMMA into Hong Kong action movies through Sha Po Lang and Flash Point. In t. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. At the time,Yen had no plans to be an actor. And I think that was one of the light switches that came on. As one of the few Cantonese students, the mainland was a different world. Because the mother-daughter relationship is central to the story. We were all Chinese, but I was outside.. Yes. And it was like its very much like dancing, if you look at it. Not that its always gone smoothly. And if there was a close-up of someone getting hit? 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. The 2000s saw Yen transition to Hollywood with appearances in Blade II as Snowman and Shanghai Knights opposite Jackie Chan. Is there any type of roles you havent played yet that you really want to do? And with Chuck Norris. I think the hot dog universe is the most beautiful love story going on in all the different universes. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. He notably turned down a role in The Expendables franchise due to how. Why does he always have to be called Shang or Chang? 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. Hong Kong action superstar Donnie Yen Ji-dan is revered globally for his martial arts prowess in films such as the Ip Man series and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story . Ho-hum. 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'. I cant do stage. Throughout his career, Hollywood has never quite known what to do with himor, until recently, any Asian leading men, for that matter. Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Apple News. But as it happened, his mother had a connection to the Hong Kong kung fu director Yuen Woo-ping. RELATED: Why Jackie Chan Never Joined Stallone's Expendables Movies. The Planet Is Burning. But shes so committed to her role. Burnt. Its a major project for Yen. "The name was Shang or Chang. You almost get sort of boxed and wrapped up in this beautiful thats what Michelle Yeoh represents, elegance and beauty, and refined and dignified. Have you been in animation? Its about you going out there and making your own life. Yen is the latest Asian action star to find Hollywood fame, following the likes of Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Bruce Lee. I cant retire, because I still have projects Im committed to, he 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. Its very, very limited. Its okayIm going to shoot you from one side. Yen laughs. Take it and run with it, or sink. So, she has to work so hard into creating and achieving that American dream that they talked about when they first came here. I guess my destiny is to be making movies., For a decade now, hes been talking about retiring. Between you and Jamie Lee Curtis. Even with the Crazy Rich Asians one, we sort of diverted from the original book. Yuen ended up signing Yen, then just 18 years old, to a three-year, multi-movie deal. 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. It was because she suddenly realized thats when I dont have Waymond and I dont have Joy. And I dont want to give away, but it plays a big role. 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. Talk tomorrow. Its these floppy things. Why is everything so generic?. Donnie also received a Best Actor nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Why does he always have to be called Shang or Chang? Guillermo was a total gentleman. 04 Mar 2023 03:42:41 Yen co-starred in action films with Jet Li and Jackie Chan and continued to play the leading role in many martial arts and action films including Tsui Hark's "Seven Swords" (2005) and crime . Youve got to do this, you have to do that. Ihated it. Yen would escape by watching kung fu movies, spending two dollars to catch Bruce Lee double bills at the cinema downtown. There was a move where he spun around 360 degrees, he swings at me and I block it. 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. But that touches and goes places. Its quite sad. 'Seven Swords' premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and proved a hit with worldwide audiences. Copyright 2018 Fandango. . Boots, $1,495, by Christian Louboutin. Not going to happen. Over time, he learned a few tricks to soften the blows. I cant take it with me, Yen says. Also, the mother and the daughter-in-law. Its true. But he always kept at it. John Wick: Chapter 4 is set for release on March 24. But your face has to register, its like, why, do what, how, you know. Because of the years of having to carry heavy loads of things, her body is not always upright. 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. But I know that once You know what, Donnie? Born July 27, 1963 in Canton, China. 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. And then it didnt. 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. (Given that series treatment of Jet Liwhose character is called, and Im not joking, Yin Yangyou can imagine why.) Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen recently recalled two different occasions when legendary martial arts actor Jet Li nearly blinded him. Sway is a production of New York Times Opinion. From the parents, the grandparents the hierarchy, right? Picking up in 1887, Shanghai Knights sees Chan's Chon Wang, now Sheriff of Carson City, Nevada, on a mission in London to avenge his father's murder and stop a Royal assassination plot. Whereas a younger Yen was once hungry to prove himself, he is no longer excited by offers from Hollywood. Fortunately, every time I go to set, the whole Donnie Yen act just kicks in, he says. Why cant he look cool and fashionable? he continued. 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. So, talk about being silly because you, you know, in many of your movies, youre dignified, poised, et cetera. Is it a lonely existence? So, you obviously made your name in Hong Kong action movies. (Caines redesigned look is, Yen says, partly an homage to his hero Bruce Lee.). Five seconds later I said, "Wait!" Theres a love story. Yen could regale you with stories of his scrapes for hours. And youll get new ones delivered directly to you. Donnie Yen is making his "John Wick" debut in the upcoming fourth installment as Caine, a blind assassin caught between his ties to the villainous High Table and his friendship with Keanu. This is a John Wick movie. This is the first time youre seeing an older Asian immigrant woman being the superhero, having the opportunity to demonstrate these kind of martial arts skills. In this movie, you were a singer. I have something to say to you. If there's one thing Donnie Yen is going to do, it is to call out stereotypes when he sees it. More from NextShark: BLACKPINK announce title track Shut Down and ticket sale info. I did that . Sunglasses, his own. I was the outsider. You learn to be so precisely on point and accurate at every angle, Yen says. So, that was what she was trying to impart to her. Theyre giving you an opportunity to do it. 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. Yeah. Its like, even with the hot dog fingers, when you look at them, youre going, what? Donnie Yen was born in Guangzhou, China. Why do we do this? 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. Donnie collaborated with Yuen on the action for the film, designing a new on-screen interpretation of Wong Fei-hung's classic 'Shadowless Kick'. And theres more. 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. One of Hong Kong's top action stars, Yen is widely credited for bringing mixed martial arts (MMA) into the mainstream Asian cinema by choreographing MMA in many of his films since the early 2000s. I have so many injuries, Yen says, laughing. said Yen. The Rise of Gru. Oh, my god. Do you think its a new phase or not? That was the old Hong Kong way. As Yen grew in confidence, he and Yuen would regularly fall out. 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 Ive been in that world forever. My husband will do what I want. (At least not on purpose. All rights reserved. I cant believe you jump from trucks and youre scared of the stage. An action movie, Master Z. Its a spin-off of Ip Man.. The conclusion of their duel also sidesteps there being an actual victor and places more emphasis on the two finding a mutual respect as General Lone reaches the pinnacle of his mission. When they came to me, they said, they want you to be a Minion. I know exactly where the camera is. It wasIp Man that kick-started Yens recent career renaissance, and one reason why, lately, Yen has found himself busier than ever. 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. 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. Do you ever think about that multiverse? But he also knows that he cant go on forever being this Donnie Yen. As he often does on movies that hes directing or producing, Yen fed into every element of production: costumes, sets, music, action choreography. The video features a collection of photos showcasing these iconic actors in their new female personas, highlighting their incredible skills and talent in the world of martial arts. And so your body is doing all these wild and wonderful and precise, graceful moves. It took a long time for Yen to become a leading man. Your loss is my gain, bro. ALSO READ:John Wick: Chapter 4 gets longest runtime in the series, clocking near 3 hours, John Wick: Chapter 4 gets longest runtime in the series, clocking near 3 hours. Its so liberating. Its why he relishes every action sceneevery bump, every bruise. In Hong Kong in those years, he explains, someone on every movie would have mafia connectionsit was a necessity, just to be able to film in certain locations. 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. The next day, the director called. Youre right. Global fans will recognize him from the likes of. And that is the big beating heart of this film. Yen finished the film in his memory. All these interests would have a manifest influence on Yen's later life.In his teens, Donnie defined his own persona by rebelling against his parents edicts. Being Chinese, the closest person, obviously, was Bruce Lee, Yen says. My mom and I were separated for eight years, Yen says. 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. He was electric, determined, lightning fast. It is very easy to walk away and just turn a blind eye because then you are not involved emotionally, physically, or you know, any way. And if you think three years ago when Crazy Rich Asians came out, prior to that, it was Joy Luck Club, which was 20-something years ago, before we had an all Asian cast. With a passion for storytelling, his favorite media can give an idea of who he is: Vertigo, Panic Room, Jurassic Park, Lawrence of Arabia. Not to give away, but theyre very tender in your hot dog universe. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Which is embodied by the everything bagel in the movie. I dont want to do that again. 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. Or you have a family. And then we just attacked it. Nihilism is especially resonant with the pandemic and the war and everything else. So but although she is the loser, right? Gloves, $140, by Ernest W. Baker. (SINGING) When you walk in a room, do you have sway? Jackie Chan and Sylvester Stallone have a long-running Hollywood friendship. Coat, $1,981, by Lanvin. 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. My arms and legs are going in directions that I couldnt even fathom that could happen. Yen went on to lead three successful sequels featuring the likes of Sammo Hung and Mike Tyson, making the actor a household name all over the world. Yen playsGeneral Lone, a warrior out to free the land of Huadu from the tyrannical rule of a sinister Queen. I have no tendons in the shoulder, he says. You know, whats the value of life? Why do you have to be so generic? It will continue to grow. He whacked me right on my eyebrow, right? It was such a sensation. The same is true of Yen as an actor. The Last of Us Episode 7 Introduces a Close Friend From Ellie's Past, While Joel's Life . Now, although these are prop swords, they are still quite pointy. While details about the Hong Kong actor's role were kept under wraps following the films announcement in June 2021, a trailer released in November 2022 revealed that he will face off against Keanu Reeves suave, suit-wearing titular assassin. It could have been a girl. Is that correct? But I think at the core of the story, really, its a very ordinary, average a woman that you walk by every day. And that was how my journey started. You are engaged with that emotional thread connection that keeps going through it. But I think its Barbara Broccoli, Michael Wilson, the producers who realize, its like, yes, lets do something different. 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. At the time, the demand for martial arts movies was waning, and Yen was determined to innovate within a genre starting to grow stale. The steps are choreographed. (Yens mom had taught Yuens sister.) But the only problem is I cant sing. Thats part of life. Sometimes a little intimidating and scary. . Im hanging out with Benny, next thing you know hes gone. The film was released in North America by The Weinstein Company's Dragon Dynasty label, and remains its biggest hit.Yen also attracted rave reviews when he played an honorable general in 'An Empress and her Warriors' and an offbeat ghost-buster in Gordon Chan's 'Painted Skin'.Yen took his career to a new level when he accepted producer Raymond Wong's suggestion that he play Bruce Lee's teacher, 'Ip Man', in an eponymous film relating the life of the great master. 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. And I remembered when Ang came to me, at that time, I was doing the press . And he was going to be the principal. More: John Wick 4 - Why Donnie Yen Is More Important Than You Think. So, I remember when I first said because I dont read Chinese. It doesnt look real at all.. At the end of the 50 movies, maybe the 48th, 49 moves, he strikes down with his sword. And he said to me, I want to make Sense and Sensibility with martial arts. After 20 or 50 moves, he keeps missing, Yen says. 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. Da aber Jackie Chan inzwischen fast 70 Jahre alt ist und Donnie Yen noch keine 60, gehe ich Mal davon aus das zweiteres noch agiler und strker ist. Yen also shared during his interview that he was able to pay homage to his idol, Bruce Lee, through Caines new look. You said Matrix on LSD. But thats another discussion. Yeah. So, its interesting because its a posture of disappointment, in a lot of ways. If youre in a podcast app already, you know how to get your podcasts, so follow this one. I think I would be nervous to throw a dildo at you. Maybe now it can happen. So I went in the day after, and I finished the scene., Yen is not telling this story for the sake of some misguided bravado but more to explain the heady Hong Kong film scene of the 1980s and 90s. Yeah, its a big beating heart, but this woman is in great pain. His journey takes him on an adventure with many allies and enemies along the way until he finally meets the last man standing in his way, Chan's Lord of Armour. He shows me a rough cut of the trailer forakra. Jacket, $11,000, and scarf, $690, by Dior Men. Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. So hopefully now they will, you know, get on the horse and really ride out. Donnie Yen really said no Mandarin Collars, but blind Martial Arts expert is okay. Yen, broke, would hang around film sets just so he could eat for free. So, thats a big problem, you know when youre doing Chinese movies and not being able to read the script, and not really being able to say the language. The first Chinese UFC champion Zhang Weili states that Yen . ), Caine is looking cool and fashionable like all the other John Wick characters. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. 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. In Hong Kong during those heady early days, there was no real dividing line between the actors and the stunt department. When the cameras roll, the old Donnie Yen still kicks in. Anyway: [Li] hurt himself. But for brevitys sake, heres just one. John Wick: Chapter 4 is set for release on March 24. But the stunt double couldnt hit the mark. Born in China, Yen moved with his family to Boston, where his mother, a tai-chi . Yen might be approaching 60, but in person he looks a decade younger: lean and muscular, radiant skin, Wite-Out smile. It didnt change things because its a period piece. You fight with, or you dance with, multiple partners. Instead of coming across, and I'm supposed to block it like this, he comes across horizontally. And Im like, but they dont talk. The film was shot last year, outside Shanghai, on a relatively slim budget. an old friend of Wick's who is speculated to . Tune in to find out, and let us know who you think is the greatest of the great in the comments. Are they respectful of Chinese culture? Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. And I said, aw, poor you. And shes unrecognizable as Deirdre. These days, Yen is more selective with the Hollywood movies that he takes on. Waymond is played by Ke Huy Quan. Now, your Hollywood breakthrough was when you played a Bond and Im not going to use the term girl because Wai Lin was not a girl in the 1997 movie Tomorrow Never Dies. Can you talk about I love Bond movies, and I thought you were fantastic in it. Its just like youre on LSD the whole time. Because her husband is the one thats always trying to find happiness and silliness and joy and all those kind of thats why he puts the googly eyes, in hopes that it will make her laugh. Its all like a bunch of jazz musicians, Yen says. That would scare the hell out of me. She doesnt like her husband putting googly eyes on the packaging and stuff. I had a very respectful experience working on John Wick. Overall, I enjoyed making the film, he said. Its not contemporary. A dildo? 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. Chinese kung fu star, Donnie Yen, is listed as a member of National Committee of CPPCC. He would spend countless hours developing hisfa jing, or explosiveness, practicing high kicks on the heavy bag until he knocked it down. They are not in my life. Most of the people outside of China dont see it until they are there, Yen says. Yen joined Li in the sequel as the villainous Commander Lan. 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. Typical master. The film was a huge success in Hong Kong and China, and 'Ip Man' went on to find favor with audiences worldwide. As a result, there is certainly a sense of fulfillment here as Chan and Yen go head-to-head in Twins Effect II (released in the West ofBlade of Kings). Even then, I noticed a couple of Asian diners nearby quietly freaking out. Yes, because its all what I love about all the universes.