Very scary. I think if you dont have a big beating heart, its so easy to just say, well, youre already a grown-up. So, they pulled me up, and Barbara came to meet me in Europe. Why can't he have a normal name? A huge hit for Emperor, the film earned Yen his first Best Action Director prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Certain camera tricks. Today, he says, he sees a big difference in the way he and other Asian actors are treated in Hollywood. The Last of Us Episode 7 Introduces a Close Friend From Ellie's Past, While Joel's Life . TAGGED AS: Action, Film, films, Martial Arts, movie, movies. 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. Will ringmaster Mark Ellis give the W to the Drunken Master, the true Hero,Ip Man himself, or the mother-bleeping Dragon himself? 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. 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.. They grapple and fight dirty. Its a martial arts movie. When Yuen Woo-ping is talking, everybody would just listen. 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. The film was a huge success in Hong Kong and China, and 'Ip Man' went on to find favor with audiences worldwide. The kicker? Well, you got hit. Yen was to return to this hard-hitting, urban action style for the later 'Special ID'.Donnie now found himself in demand as a leading man in a series of prestigious period actioners produced for the Chinese market. 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. Donnie Yen, born in 1963, is one of the present masters of the martial arts action film, according to Black Belt Magazine, and Jackie Chan, born in 1954, per Biography, has been acting in several movie genres since he was eight, including musicals. An action movie, Master Z. Its a spin-off of Ip Man.. 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.Li solidified himself as an icon in the genre with his . And thank god I heard it was because one of the writers in the room turned on and said, oh, theres this actress from Hong Kong, actually, he said, who does her own action. The film, with Wilson Ip as director and Yuen as choreographer, pitted the title character against legendary boxing champion Mike Tyson. When the Daniels first wrote it, its true. Drop my hands. But adapting to life in the United States as new immigrants was difficult; for a while, the family lived off food stamps. So, I remember when I first said because I dont read Chinese. And shes unrecognizable as Deirdre. Honestly, I would love to be in a musical. Why do we do this? Its too easy to take that route. But interestingly and maybe this is wrong because its been reported different places. Anyone can read what you share. And then he said to me, oh, the Daniels came and pitched me the movie in China. Did you have a favorite multiverse? But thats another discussion. He will be 60 this year. The show was the top-rated action drama show around the region, and was subsequently re-edited for international distribution on video.Donnie went on to make his directorial debut with 'Legend of the Wolf', a stylish period actioner that even attracted the attention of legendary American film-maker Francis Coppola. His mother, Bow-sim Mark, was a kung fu master and his father, Kylster Yen, a newspaper editor and amateur musician. What Id do is Id use a cotton ball and put it between my back teeth, so they [didnt] knock my teeth out., Today, Yen is one of Chinas biggest actors, the last in a dynasty of martial arts stars that runs from Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan to Jet Li. Right? 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. Shes literally busy. And thats, I think, the tension between the mother and the daughter. I think that is the superpower thats inherent in all of us. Tune in to find out, and let us know who you think is the greatest of the great in the comments. So he had a stunt double wired up, Yen explains. But beneath the silliness is a universal story of love and belonging and family. . This presented Yen asa relatively fresh face to Western audiences, and thus a perfect foil for the A-list presence of Chan and Owen Wilson in Shanghai Knights. 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. How Michelle Yeoh Took Jackie Chans Role, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/14/opinion/sway-kara-swisher-michelle-yeoh.html, Behind the Scenes of Sway With Kara Swisher, Venture Capitalists Are Going to Turn Into Vulture Capitalists, and Other Predictions From Andrew Ross Sorkin. 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. But theyve never been to China. I saw stars. And her husband, and father and daughter. Donnie Yen (Creator) - TV Tropes Beau Deirdre I can never say her name. This article was first published in Geek Culture. When I first read it, I was like, no, no, no, no, no, no. 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. He whacked me right on my eyebrow, right? I guess my destiny is to be making movies., For a decade now, hes been talking about retiring. My husband will do what I want. It comes with the jobyou dont carve out a 40-year career kicking ass in Hong Kong action cinema without also getting your own kicked occasionally. Im going to go [out] naked. The point is: He might be sore the next day, butfor now, at leasthe can still deliver. 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. Because I was running from Singapore, and then take the flight literally ran out of the set. I cant take it with me, Yen says. The emotion, the commitment, its real. Thats in part why hes trying to be more selective with his work. 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. 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. I dont know how long that will last, he says. 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. Ive got to perform. Im curious, what did that movie did that change things for you in terms of roles coming in? Donnie Yen: Movies, TV, and Bio - amazon.com Immerhin hat er in "Die Todeskralle schlgt wieder . 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). Here is the full quote below: "[Discussing Once Upon a Time in China II] The most significant experience workingwas one time that I had an injury [that] almost blinded me. 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. 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. Right now hes editing the final cut of his new film akra, a lush adaptation of the novelDemi-Gods and Semi-Devils,by the bestselling wuxia author Jin Yong. When he's not writing, Brad enjoys going on a ride with the latest action hit or Netflix original, though he's also known to just pop in "The Room" from time to time. More with Michelle Yeoh after the break. And then we just attacked it. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. He whacked me on one side and 10 years later, he whacked me on the other side. And the guys had to step in and teach them a lesson. She would drag me out of bed, whack me with a wooden stick. So theres so much this film, and I really urge everyone to see it because its a very different film than most films that are out there, even though its an action film. As an actor I dont want to. But you might never have. I do all of them, unless I mean, if its asking me to jump off the third floor, then I dont do that anymore. Yen recalls getting approached by Disney to appear in the 2016Star Wars prequelRogue One. That mahjong scene was something else. She cant accept that. 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. You look like youre having much more fun with the hot dog. As Bitcoin Busts, Whats the Future of Web3? Follow Brad on Twitter @BradCurran. Thats part of life. Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen recently recalled two different occasions when legendary martial arts actor Jet Li nearly blinded him. Typical master. So is that what do you think being successful is? Copyright 2018 Fandango. 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. If Bruce Lee could do it, I could do it, you know?, Movies also opened Yens eyes to martial arts styles outside of his mothers traditional forms of tai chi. Most of the people outside of China dont see it until they are there, Yen says. Donnie Yen's action choreographers on his and Jackie Chan's lasting Donnie Yen - Rotten Tomatoes 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. One thing I pointed out is he was a stereotype. Its more to illustrate what he has faced his whole career, and what he and other Asian actors are up against, even now. 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. In this version, they are reimagined as powerful female warriors, complete with stunning costumes and fierce attitudes. 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. Do you know theres auto-tune? Everyone was just out there competing, like B-boys or skate crews, to do the coolest shit possible. Its very, very limited. Theyre not serving Chinese foodbecause they never had authentic Chinese. All rights reserved. And suddenly, it was much more like, you see? Thanks for listening. It was crazy macho stupidity, Yen says. When it first came, I was like, no, no, no, no, no. I cant believe you jump from trucks and youre scared of the stage. After premieres in New York and Los Angeles, the film enjoyed great acclaim from the American critics, and won a prize at that year's Taurus Awards, an event held to celebrate action in cinema.After working on a number of independent features, Yen went on to enjoy huge success on the small screen when he accepted a lucrative offer from Hong Kong's ATV to film a series based on the Bruce Lee classic 'Fist of Fury'. Legendary Hong Kong martial arts actor Jet Li reveals nearly blinding Ip Man star Donnie Yen while filming fight sequences in two different movies. And the rhythmbop-bop-bop-bopis perfectly timed. Gloves, $140, by Ernest W. Baker. Brandon Louis is a TV/Movie news writer. And I think that was one of the light switches that came on. But so, Evelyn Wang, when shes pushing her husband out of the way, its like, I have no time for you today. And Im like, no way. Whats the cost? Its true. 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. And so your body is doing all these wild and wonderful and precise, graceful moves. As appetite for Asian cinema has ebbed and flowed among non-Asian audiencesthrough the 90s Chan boom, the postCrouching Tiger wuxia craze, the more recent but short-lived breakouts helmed by the likes of Tony Jaa and Iko Uwaiseven huge stars like Yen have found their opportunities limited. "The name was Shang or Chang. So, they said, well, OK, if you want to try action, if it doesnt succeed, thats the easiest thing. That would scare the hell out of me. Jin Yongs novels are beloved in China, sprawling multivolume epics. Lets have a woman whos comparable to James Bond. And that was how my journey started. Talk tomorrow. Its just like youre on LSD the whole time. '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. At that point, it was like, nothing will faze you. 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. 'Iron Monkey' was all the more remarkable in that, years after its Asian release, it was acquired by the American studio Miramax, re-cut, re-scored and given a wide release in US theatres. More: John Wick 4 - Why Donnie Yen Is More Important Than You Think. 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. 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. We release every Monday and Thursday. Oh, I was a Chinese opera singer. 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. It was very competitive. Beyond the limitations of his mother's school, Yen began training in various different fighting arts, including Japanese karate, Korean taekwondo and western boxing. The senior editor of Sway is Nayeema Raza, and the executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Irene Noguchi. But for brevitys sake, heres just one. 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 important aspect to the main character's story. Between you and Jamie Lee Curtis. But he feels it in his body, that he is not quite as quick as he once was. My first movie was an action film, but I played the normal damsel in distress where I was a social worker and bullied by the juvenile delinquents. following the likes of Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Bruce Lee. Ten Questions with Flash Point Star Donnie Yen - Rotten Tomatoes So, people listening to this will be like, a bagel? Why do you have to be so generic? 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. How much do you know about Donnie Yen, star of the Ip Man series? And this idea of nothing matters, you can go two ways. Ten years later, the pair starred in the epic Hero when Li cuts Yen again, this time above his right eye. Because the mother-daughter relationship is central to the story. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Yens character, an assassin called Caine, originally went by another name. Bruce Lee vs. Jackie Chan vs. Jet Li vs. Donnie Yen. The 2000s saw Yen transition to Hollywood with appearances in Blade II as Snowman and Shanghai Knights opposite Jackie Chan. And you must try and find joy and happiness. 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. As one of the few Cantonese students, the mainland was a different world. Yuenknown in Hollywood for his choreography on films such asCrouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon;The Matrix; andKill Billhad helped to revive Jackie Chans career, directing the cult classicsDrunken Master andSnake in the Eagles Shadow. Donnie Yen - Biography - IMDb It took a long time for Yen to become a leading man. You know, inHero we did all the poetic shots and beautiful color and posingits been done, Yen says.