Is that correct? Gender-Bending the Best Martial Artists: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and 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. 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. Is there a universe you didnt like? The modernization. I feel that way when I think about Black Panther and everything else. From her high-flying kicks in the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to her unconventional take on a Bond girl in Tomorrow Never Dies, Michelle Yeoh has had a multidecade career defying stereotypes. And you can sing to many, or you can just sing to one. 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. No, but I want the gift of a voice that I can because I find it so moving. You almost get sort of boxed and wrapped up in this beautiful thats what Michelle Yeoh represents, elegance and beauty, and refined and dignified. And thats what we all do. I went on to do like Memoirs of a Geisha.. I dont know. Cinemagoers in China are being obliged to watch propaganda videos featuring some of the country's best-loved stars. Yuen ended up signing Yen, then just 18 years old, to a three-year, multi-movie deal. So hopefully now they will, you know, get on the horse and really ride out. Donnie Yen criticises original 'John Wick: 4' script for stereotyping Theres drama. Jackie Chan's 20-Year Quest to Share the Screen With Lifelong Friend Jet Li Finally Came to Fruition After Legal Barriers . The 59-year old will not be taking on Hollywood roles that are deemed "generic" and if it doesn't respect his Chinese culture. 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. Of you as Bond? 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. Theres a love story. He started to dress like Lee, showing off his moves at school, stuffing nunchucks in his socks. (Yens mom had taught Yuens sister.) 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. The couple now has two children, a girl and boy, Jasmine and James. 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. Bravura martial arts choreography. Heaven or hell, or whatever. Its not just the age thing. Its true. She barely notices Waymond, her husband, who tries to make her smile by sticking googly eyes on the laundry bags, or her lesbian daughter Joy, whos struggling to come out to her grandfather with absolutely no support from her mother. Donnie Yen on Raging Fire, John Wick 4, and How Yuen Woo-ping And I made other things here in America. Oh, god, you know, with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, that was an Asian movie. 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.. I think if you dont have a big beating heart, its so easy to just say, well, youre already a grown-up. Typical master. Is it a lonely existence? Then the wardrobe again oh, mandarin collars. Come on. Our latest episode of Vs. might be our most epic yet as we pit the four biggest martial artists/movie stars of all time against each other in one stats-heavy battle royale: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Donnie Yen. She would drag me out of bed, whack me with a wooden stick. Its basically The Matrix meets LSD trip. This slapstick romantic comedy was produced by Hong Kong's prestigious Cinema City studio.Donnie was subsequently signed by the newly formed D&B Films, and cast in the hit cop actioner 'Tiger Cage'. 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 . Sliced open. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Who would win in a fight between Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen? He is not diminished, not yet. Now, definitely. People who continue to keep thinking and to go forward no matter what the negativity or setback., Yen was upbeat. And suddenly, it was much more like, you see? Its okayIm going to shoot you from one side. Yen laughs. Not only is he the director and executive producer, he also plays the lead and, in flashbacks, his characters father. It wasnt a protest, okay, it was a riot, Yen says. Its so funny. John Wick: Chapter 4 is hitting theatres on March 24. He's only a few months younger than Jet Li, and they entered the . I mean, I look at life and were only here for a short time, you know? And with Chuck Norris. Today, Yen is one of China's biggest actors, the last in a dynasty of martial arts stars that runs from Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan to Jet Li. 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 . And in ancient China. 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. Certain camera tricks. But the joy and love to be found in that kind of situation gives you such a sense of self-worth. Its about you going out there and making your own life. I think the hot dog universe is the most beautiful love story going on in all the different universes. Yen joined Li in the sequel as the villainous Commander Lan. I could have been blind. Theres one universe where people have floppy hot dog fingers, and another only inhabited by rocks. Ich denke eine direkte Antwort kann man darauf nicht geben. In the early drafts of the script, Yens character, Chirrut mwe, was just the same generic martial arts warrior. When Yen was 16, his parents arranged to send him to train with the famed Beijing Wushu Team, in China. I do all of them, unless I mean, if its asking me to jump off the third floor, then I dont do that anymore. And Im like, are you kidding me? Right? Crouching Tiger. Ive worked four or five movies with him already. Shirt, $575, by Nili Lotan. I have been in so many countries in the world, but its not even close. I want to be a singer. I was wondering, when you were doing that, were you held to a different standard than the men? In addition to Ip Man and Rogue One, Yen rose to fame by appearing in films such as Hero," Iron Monkey," Raging Fire, Once Upon a Time in China," Blade II," Chasing the Dragon opposite Andy Lau, "Shanghai Knights opposite Jackie Chan, and Mulan opposite Liu Yifei. These days, Yen is more selective with the Hollywood movies that he takes on. It's all here 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 was trying to find an identity. Born July 27, 1963 in Canton, China. Burnt. And you cannot be sensible and controlled when you are approaching a character like that because Evelyn Wang, to me, is a real person. Suddenly, shes thrust into a multiverse where she can jump between different versions of her life. 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. 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. 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 . When Donnie was just two years old, the family moved to Hong Kong and then, when he was 11, to Boston . And all these things keep coming at you. Your body knows what its doing because its just extracted this key information. Yen also shared during his interview that he was able to pay homage to his idol, Bruce Lee, through Caines new look. Not like, oh, now suddenly I have. To travel more, to spend time with his family. Not that its always gone smoothly. Joy, wait. Donnie Yen says he fought for his 'John Wick,' 'Star Wars' characters Now, if they hit you in the head, they'll knock you out. Bruce Lee vs. Jackie Chan vs. Jet Li vs. Donnie Yen. I would love to do like a Moulin Rouge because thats the dancer-performer in me. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Are they respectful of Chinese culture? At the end of the 50 movies, maybe the 48th, 49 moves, he strikes down with his sword. Mein Favorit von allen Film-Kung Fu Schauspielern wre aber allerdings Bruce Lee. I mean, hes 60 years, a legacy thats been so nurtured and protected and well thought out. The film, which starred two of China's top pop idols, told the tale of young vampire hunters with well-honed martial arts skills. Lets have a woman whos comparable to James Bond. Everybodys supposed to be cool and fashionable. Also, the mother and the daughter-in-law. Yes, because its all what I love about all the universes. But adapting to life in the United States as new immigrants was difficult; for a while, the family lived off food stamps. It was heralded as a game-changer of how U.S. viewed the Asian film industry. The 12 best Donnie Yen fight scenes Flixist The Planet Is Burning. 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. It wasnt about her not being rich enough or whatever. These kinds of opportunities occasionally come up: You want to be in this? It doesnt mean anything, he says. Walk in showers are going to be the new trend, Hong Kong actor, martial artist and action choreographer, Chinese-Singaporean martial artist and actor, While details about the Hong Kong actor's role were kept under wraps following the, Additional details also revealed that Caine will be joining the ranks of antagonists such as Cassian (hip-hop rapper Common) from Chapter 2 and Zero (. Im like, I worship the ground he walks on. 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. Yen might be approaching 60, but in person he looks a decade younger: lean and muscular, radiant skin, Wite-Out smile. John Wick 4's Donnie Yen Shares Experiences Dealing With Asian While it is great that Staheleski is open to making changes and removing stereotypes as per Yen's request, we still see one big issue though: How is having a Hong Kong action star appearing as a blind martial arts expert in Hollywood movies isn't in itself a stereotype? You said Matrix on LSD. 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.. Billie Wang, interpretada por Awkwafina, es la protagonista de 'The Farewell' o Jackie Chan 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. Jet Li Nearly Blinded Donnie Yen While Filming On Two Different Movies But so, Evelyn Wang, when shes pushing her husband out of the way, its like, I have no time for you today. 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. (SINGING) When you walk in a room, do you have sway? And two, did it do that? Im curious for your perspective on the global industry, though, because youre such an international star and actor. Very scary. If the Daniels, if you look at them, you go, OK, anything goes. She doesnt like her husband putting googly eyes on the packaging and stuff. Shes one hell of a determined woman, even though she fails at so many things. 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. I have stage fright. But sometimes it is the failures that make us who we are because every decision matters, and it has an impact. Why cant he look cool and fashionable? he continued. I really, truly appreciate it. If you look at all the visual products from big Hollywood movies to TV, Apple or Netflix or whatever, all these action movies, in one way or another, are [influenced by] Hong Kong movies, Yen says. [You can listen to this episode of Sway on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Google or wherever you get your podcasts.]. And the guys had to step in and teach them a lesson. Thats in part why hes trying to be more selective with his work. Which is embodied by the everything bagel in the movie. Jackie Chan's 20-Year Quest to Share the Screen With Lifelong Friend Biceps Will Collide in New Jackie Chan-Sylvester Stallone Movie Donnie Yen Called Out 'John Wick 4' Asian Stereotypes, Got Script Changes This film was co-directed by Huang Jianxin and Han Sanping, and includes many famous actors such as Andy Lau, Ge You . '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. Yen finished the film in his memory. Always fighting. 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. The film was a huge success in Hong Kong and China, and 'Ip Man' went on to find favor with audiences worldwide. (Caines redesigned look is, Yen says, partly an homage to his hero Bruce Lee.). When I didBlade II I had a horrible time, man. The movie went on to sweep the board at the Hong Kong Film Awards winning Best Film, among many other prizes. Its not contemporary. 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. Its a movie its about the Chinese culture. Nihilism is especially resonant with the pandemic and the war and everything else. Besides his on-screen performance, Donnie was also called on to choreograph the dynamic duel between himself and MMA champion Cung Le. If youre in a podcast app already, you know how to get your podcasts, so follow this one. I try to look at it less defensive than before. 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. susie on Twitter: "More than 5,000 NPC deputies and members of the 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. '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. 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. 'The Twins Effect' saw Donnie start to introduce elements of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) in his film fight scenes. . Oh, yeah. That would scare the hell out of me. His debut film immediately established him as a viable leading man, and Yen has remained a major figure in Chinese action cinema to this day.Yen skills as a street dancer were to the fore in his second starring role, 'Mismatched Couples', in which he showed off his breakdance moves, as well as his general athleticism. And its all about rhythm, precision and timing, all that things put together. One thing I pointed out is he was a stereotype. Im hanging out with Benny, next thing you know hes gone. More than 5,000 NPC deputies and members of the CPPCC National Committee attend this year's #TwoSessions. So, what is it you really, really want? Youre not allowed to ask questions. You said you wanted to do it, fine. There was the Yuen clan, the Jackie Chan clan, and the Sammo Hung clan, Yen says. 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. Im looking at his body at his funeral, and it was like: I was just with him yesterday, Yen says. At the same time, Donnie Yen, still years away from his Western fame followingRogue One: A Star Wars Storyand the spy moviexXx: Return of Xander Cage, hadonly done two other American movies at the time in Highlander: Endgame and Blade II. . Answer (1 of 2): Even if you equalized their ages, my vote would go to Donnie Yen because he is a competent grappler with a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a 2nd dan in judo and has trained some in MMA. Why does he always have to be called Shang or Chang? And theres more. Previous adaptations have had mixed receptions. Yens character, an assassin called Caine, originally went by another name. Exclusive: Donnie Yen on 'Raging Fire,' 'John Wick 4,' How Yuen Woo-ping Discovered Him, and More By Steve Weintraub Published Aug 29, 2021 Plus, Yen shares what it was like making director. Half a day, a couple of hours. A couple of hours? Because I was running from Singapore, and then take the flight literally ran out of the set. Even then, I noticed a couple of Asian diners nearby quietly freaking out. Stop trying to change the other person. Enjoy some creature comforts. auditor, who is fantastic. 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. Im going to go [out] naked. When the Daniels first wrote it, its true. Now, although these are prop swords, they are still quite pointy. Donnie Yen sobre los personajes asiticos: "Por qu siempre se tienen And if there was a close-up of someone getting hit? Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen recently recalled two different occasions when legendary martial arts actor Jet Li nearly blinded him. Yes, yes. Opinion | How Michelle Yeoh Took Jackie Chan's Role 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. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Yes, poise. "The name was Shang or Chang. Donnie Yen called out John Wick 4 Asian stereotypes, got script changes With Chon being the kind of underdog that Chan usually embodiesin stunt-heavy action comedies such asPolice Story, Wu Chow proves to be a much stronger opponent than he's ever previously faced (despite his proclivity for jump-spinning kicks and tiger claw strikes). Even as Hollywood has ignored Asian actors, it has over the years co-opted the visual techniques and tropes of Hong Kong cinema. But my own experience, like, I was there, I have many friends who were there. Right now Ive gotta take three cups of double espresso, do a couple of warm-ups. Yen laughs again. V3.1. And thats, I think, the tension between the mother and the daughter. Good fight scenes. And Ang is like the most quiet spoken. A spy from another country. Her face is still Evelyn Wang going, what the heck is going on? Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. 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. It was such a sensation. Ive got to perform. Jet Li Nearly Blinded Donnie Yen While Filming On Two Different Movies, Donnie Yen's Ip Man 2 Has A Secret Jet Li Connection (& It's Genius), John Wick 4 - Why Donnie Yen Is More Important Than You Think. 01 March . Im trying to think. Then It Changed My Life. Its like, even with the marriage with the husband of so many years. Lately, Yen has been thinking more about his legacy. That was the old Hong Kong way. As Yen grew in confidence, he and Yuen would regularly fall out. They are not in my life. Thanks for listening. Everyone was just out there competing, like B-boys or skate crews, to do the coolest shit possible. The senior editor of Sway is Nayeema Raza, and the executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Irene Noguchi. Yes. 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. More from NextShark: Curtis Waters is more than a TikTok gimmick: 'There's so much amazing sh*t that I have yet to do'. And youll get new ones delivered directly to you. 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. More recently, he passed on a role in DCsAquaman in order to spend time with his family. I know exactly where the camera is. I have, yes, success and fame. 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. And the women became the damsel in distress. At the same time, he began spending his nights in Boston's notorious Combat Zone. According to Today, the two are actually very good friends, and even fought each other in 2008's Forbidden Kingdom, where Li's stock "serene monk" character faced off against a version of Chan's famous drunken master archetype in a battle of moves so intense that the director actually asked them . I have no tendons in the shoulder, he says. Donnie Yen Vs Jackie Chan: Who Would Win? - Grunge.com 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. From the parents, the grandparents the hierarchy, right? Yes, yes. You are engaged with that emotional thread connection that keeps going through it. Although, if theres a villain in the movie, the real evil here is nihilism. Yeah. Yen was eventually able to pay off the debt. Yeah. 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. Its more to illustrate what he has faced his whole career, and what he and other Asian actors are up against, even now. And one of the great things about cinema, he says, is how unifying it can betranscending barriers of both language and culture. Because in 2020, Chinas film market became the worlds biggest box office. Zero CGI. It was very competitive. The companys first two movies,Legend of the Wolf andBallistic Kisswhich Yen cowrote, produced, directed, and starred intanked at the box office. Then the wardrobe againoh, mandarin collars. 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. The progressthe freeways, the architecture, the convenience of lifestyle. He is upset when the Western media focuses only on negative stories about China. It was only a matter of time before this happened. Even with the Crazy Rich Asians one, we sort of diverted from the original book. The next day, the director called.