Is it a lonely existence? They grapple and fight dirty. 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'. Nihilism is especially resonant with the pandemic and the war and everything else. You do whatever you want. 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. And two, did it do that? Sliced open. If youre in a podcast app already, you know how to get your podcasts, so follow this one. Star and director subsequently teamed to create the comic book inspired fantasy actioner 'Dragon Tiger Gate' and the gritty police thriller 'Flashpoint', in which Donnie created what fans feel is the definitive on-screen MMA action scene. So, a movie musical, not a Broadway musical. But as it happened, his mother had a connection to the Hong Kong kung fu director Yuen Woo-ping. Their bromance was crystallized in 2016, when Stallone presented the Chinese action icon with an honorary Academy. Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen recently recalled two different occasions when legendary martial arts actor Jet Li nearly blinded him. I was wondering, when you were doing that, were you held to a different standard than the men? About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Jackie Chan is a performer who lea. Something similar happened just recently, while makingJohn Wick: Chapter 4. RELATED: Why Jackie Chan Never Joined Stallone's Expendables Movies. But because she is so focused and weighed down by the sheer sense of responsibility of a failing business, and then being audited, and the daughter and then the father shows up on her doorstep, the one who is always disapproving, disappointed. The second time we spoke, Yen was energized to see Michelle Yeoh, a friend and costar of Yens for decades, win a Golden Globe forEverything Everywhere All at Once after being critically ignored for so long. Youre not allowed to look at the camera. And he said to me, I want to make Sense and Sensibility with martial arts. No, no, no, no. Theres a lot of failure along the line. Over the years, Yen has helped to drag the martial arts movie away from the world of pristinely choreographed period pieces into something messier and more authentic. 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. Do you ever think about that multiverse? Why is everything so generic?. Its so liberating. 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 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. You have to take care of yourself. 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. Given that he was by now a serious practitioner of modern Wu Shu, his parents decided to send him to Beijing to train at the Chinese capital's famed Wu Shu academy.It was when Yen returned to Hong Kong en route back to Boston that he met the famed martial arts movie director Yuen Woo-ping.Donnie exploded onto the Hong Kong movie scene when he was cast in the lead role of director Yuen Woo-ping's 'Drunken Tai Chi'. When I first read it, I was like, no, no, no, no, no, no. Oh, no, no, no. Suddenly, Yen found himself apprenticed to one of the great action directors of what might be the last golden age of kung fu filmmaking. The film out-performed all the previous movies featuring the character of Ip Man, smashing box office records throughout Asia. You can sing in those. When I didBlade II I had a horrible time, man. 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. I could have been blind. 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. She calls herself a loser. 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. But thats another discussion. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Yen finished the film in his memory. Thrown from horses. How can I be the worst? In your dreams, buddy. But do you think it was supposed to change things, I remember. And suddenly, it was much more like, you see? He's only a few months younger than Jet Li, and they entered the . Typical master. Shirt, $535, pants, $775, and tie, $220, by Dries Van Noten. It was crazy macho stupidity, Yen says. You said you wanted to do it, fine. Have you been in animation? He went, "Boop!" Thats part of life. And one of the things that was interesting to me is Ive never seen you in something so silly, which is, I think fantastic. He will be 60 this year. At the time, Hong Kong cinemaas personified by Jackie Chanwas producing the most electrifying action movies in the world. Immerhin hat er in "Die Todeskralle schlgt wieder . Or you have a family. Yen calmly warned them to leave them alone, but the thugs opted to attack him, which ended up with Donnie thoroughly kicking their asses in the street. Actor, Producer, Director, Writer. You were an equal match. Your first big movie is Yes, Madam. Is that correct? And I almost chained up life. I feel that way when I think about Black Panther and everything else. In this version, they are reimagined as powerful female warriors, complete with stunning costumes and fierce attitudes. The producer would come in and say, Thats it. And thats, I think, the tension between the mother and the daughter. Often, the typecasting isnt even conscious. Yen cannot raise his right arm overhead, for example, on account of having been smashed into a brick wall on 1985sMismatched Couples. Right, which the daughter is doing. Burnt. 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. So, talk about being silly because you, you know, in many of your movies, youre dignified, poised, et cetera. In t. Like, running and taking off my things and going, OK, now Im going on a plane, and fly straight back to China in Shanghai to be with him. In China, Yen can play drug lords, animated monkeys, romantic leads, soldierseven sing. 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. "The name was Shang or Chang. I think if you dont have a big beating heart, its so easy to just say, well, youre already a grown-up. He said, hes wondering if, you know, you have time to have a quick cup of tea with him. It was because she suddenly realized thats when I dont have Waymond and I dont have Joy. Id never been to Beijing before. Then the wardrobe againoh, mandarin collars. It wasnt a protest, okay, it was a riot, Yen says. At the time,Yen had no plans to be an actor. 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. They are not in my life. Whats the new approach?. 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. Lately, Yen has been thinking more about his legacy. Why can't he have a normal name? He was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer and died while the film was still in postproduction. You look like youre having much more fun with the hot dog. He is not diminished, not yet. And this is like five genres of film mixed into one bagel. 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. When Yen was 16, his parents arranged to send him to train with the famed Beijing Wushu Team, in China. Its just like youre on LSD the whole time. Your loss is my gain, bro. He whacked me on one side and 10 years later, he whacked me on the other side. Jacket, $3,390, pants, $1,350, and boots, $1,450, by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. Bravura martial arts choreography. If youre listening on The Times website and want to get each new episode of Sway delivered to you, along with the chance to dance with Jamie Lee Curtis, download any podcast app, then search for Sway and follow the show. 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. 'The Twins Effect' saw Donnie start to introduce elements of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) in his film fight scenes. . Talk tomorrow. Yeah, its a big beating heart, but this woman is in great pain. The companys first two movies,Legend of the Wolf andBallistic Kisswhich Yen cowrote, produced, directed, and starred intanked at the box office. Yeah. More from NextShark: 'Chinese people are the worst': 'Genshin Impact' streamer under fire after racist tirade during stream. I have stage fright. More: John Wick 4 - Why Donnie Yen Is More Important Than You Think. I had a very respectful experience working onJohn Wick. Before he accepts a role, hell ask questions, like, Is the role generic? Not that its always gone smoothly. Is there a universe you didnt like? Guillermo was a total gentleman. 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. Why is everythingso generic? In 2019, Yen was working with the director Benny Chan on a cop movie calledRaging Fire, when Chan fell ill during production. Donnie Yen. This is a John Wick movie. You know, whats the value of life? 10 February 2023; . Ho-hum. After 20 or 50 moves, he keeps missing, Yen says. 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. You fight with, or you dance with, multiple partners. From the Triads! Yen says with a grin, relishing the story. I dont even know how that would work in this story because . It was so differentthey speak different, the culture, very different food, he says. Although, if theres a villain in the movie, the real evil here is nihilism. Right. Im curious for your perspective on the global industry, though, because youre such an international star and actor. You you have to try and eat healthier. Though Chan isn't performing stunts by diving headfirst off of buildings as much these days, and Yen's Ip Manmovie days have concluded, the pair have left a legacy as action stars and martial artists worldwide, meaningfans of both Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen would be remiss to miss out on both times they've faced off. I kid you not, it was spilling like shower spray. That mahjong scene was something else. Oh, yeah. Jackie Chan and Sylvester Stallone have a long-running Hollywood friendship. I try to look at it less defensive than before. Theres one universe where people have floppy hot dog fingers, and another only inhabited by rocks. I got knocked back about eight feet. 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. I gotta say, hot dog fingers might be. The Founding of a Republic is a Chinese historical drama produced in 2009 to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China and was made to portray the final years of the Chinese Communist Revolution that followed the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). All of them are under attack by an evil force in the form of a giant spinning everything bagel you heard that right and Evelyn is being recruited to save the world. Brandon Louis is a TV/Movie news writer. When the Daniels first wrote it, its true. He also proposed letting his character have a sense of humor so that he could improvise jokes. Its about are you going to be able to take in and accept and embrace all these new rules that you cannot put yourself first. Because thats how we are wired, in so many ways. Donnie Yen Ji-dan (Chinese: ; pinyin: Zhn Zdn; born 27 July 1963) is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, and action director. These kinds of opportunities occasionally come up: You want to be in this? It doesnt mean anything, he says. Why do you have to be so generic? I think that is the superpower thats inherent in all of us. Which your character was against that, was against Constances character. 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. Are they respectful of Chinese culture? Jackie Chan and Li have known each other for a long time. We will see. Donnie, can you come in and shoot a close-up? The Planet Is Burning. 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. Yens character, an assassin called Caine, originally went by another name. So, people listening to this will be like, a bagel? Yeah, so its a silly premise, but the heart of it is not silly. Yes, yes. Mm-hmm. 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 . Sometimes a little intimidating and scary. So he had a stunt double wired up, Yen explains. Today we talk about injusticeI mean, back in the days, you cant imagine. Right, right. She is the way she is. And, while hes still known for his fight scenesno actor better understands or displays the balletic beauty of raw, human combathe no longer has to take shots in the face. Her latest role is no exception she took on a part that was originally written for the actor Jackie Chan. I was trying to find an identity. At the same time, he began spending his nights in Boston's notorious Combat Zone. Doesnt smile, shared Yen, who suggested making Chirrut mwe blind. He took the on-screen depiction of the style to new heights with the film 'SPL', released in the US as 'Kill Zone'. Not going to happen. Does this open up opportunities for you, do you think? The movie went on to sweep the board at the Hong Kong Film Awards winning Best Film, among many other prizes. . How did they get this opportunity? Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen are both action movie legends - and here's a look at when the two have done battle in fight scenes with each other. And then we just attacked it. Just likeStar Wars, youve got to do certain things. Nonetheless, Yen was inspired, and saw inakra an opportunity to do something new by the standards of wuxia films. Donnie Yen was a martial artist who became a performer. Good fight scenes. We were completely, completely, as a family, committed. Academically, Yen was a mediocre student. If you like this interview and want to hear others, follow us on your favorite podcast app. Chasing the Dragon (Chinese: ; Sidney Lau: Jui 1 Lung 4), previously known as King of Drug Dealers, is a Hong Kong-Chinese action crime drama film directed by Wong Jing and Jason Kwan. And you can sing to many, or you can just sing to one. Oh, if I was James Bond? Chinese kung fu star, Donnie Yen, is listed as a member of National Committee of CPPCC. Sunglasses, his own. 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. 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. There will always be more people like Michelle, he said. Jackie Chan and Jet Li are two of the greatest martial arts actors to ever grace the silver screen. In this movie, you were a singer. And then you pull back and you go, what the heck do they have at the end of their sleeve? But I think its Barbara Broccoli, Michael Wilson, the producers who realize, its like, yes, lets do something different. This whole shot was one take, about 50 moves or something. 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 (Wu Assassins star Mark Dacascos) from Chapter 3., More from NextShark: Ralph Macchio defends Karate Kid from very white criticism, Yen noted during his GQ interview that his actions were not a form of criticism toward Chapter 4.. All rights reserved. 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 (. And walk away. Its a martial arts movie. 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. trip. They chat about how films like Crazy Rich Asians have catapulted change in Hollywood, and how Yeohs career has bridged two of the biggest movie markets in the world, from the United States to China. Its a movie its about the Chinese culture. Actors including Jackie Chan, Rogue One's Donnie Yen and Transformers star Li . So, the movie borrows from, obviously, martial arts movies in a very cheeky way. The C.E.O. But interestingly and maybe this is wrong because its been reported different places. (A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times website.). You went on to star in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 2000, which was a mega-hit globally. Honestly, I would love to be in a musical. Stop trying to change the other person. Now, if they hit you in the head, they'll knock you out. I was able to perform like a robot., The Hong Kong studio system was a strict no bullshit environment. One thing I pointed out is he was a stereotype. After about 30 takes, he missed. A dildo? The film, with Wilson Ip as director and Yuen as choreographer, pitted the title character against legendary boxing champion Mike Tyson. Anyone can read what you share. Born in China, Yen moved with his family to Boston, where his mother, a tai-chi . Yes. 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. 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? Youll be able to catch up on Sway episodes you may have missed, like my conversation with Andrew Garfield. In this movie, and his follow-up features for the company ('In the Line of Duty 4', 'Tiger Cage 2'), Yen showed off his own unique form of contemporary screen combat, a form that included elements of rapid fire kicking, Western boxing and grappling moves.Having established a worldwide fan base, Yen moved on to star in a string of independent Asian action features before director Tsui Hark tapped him to co-star in 'Once Upon A Time In China 2'. 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. I had a very respectful experience working on John Wick. Overall, I enjoyed making the film, he said. I Thought Mentalphysics Was New-Age Nonsense. 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'. Donnie Yen really said no Mandarin Collars, but blind Martial Arts expert is okay. (Yens mom had taught Yuens sister.) I think that was our attitude. But that touches and goes places. Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Apple News. 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. On his phone, he has about a dozen group chats going, connecting him to the various departments, so that when he inevitably wakes up at 4 a.m. with ideas, he can make changes from afar. We have to give each other the space and be who they are, and accept them. But so, Evelyn Wang, when shes pushing her husband out of the way, its like, I have no time for you today. You must not give up. The biggest stars - Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen - kung fu and wuxia, the leading martial arts film directors, and the best films to watch. If there was a multiverse universe that you can jump into, I want to be a rock star. Because action movieswhich is what I do bestaction movies take a certain fire, a passion, and that is relative to physical ability, he says. 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. Its not like a Marvel universe where you can understand and you find it relatable. 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. The film was shot last year, outside Shanghai, on a relatively slim budget. It didnt change things because its a period piece. Yen was eventually able to pay off the debt. Shirt, $535, and tie, $220, by Dries Van Noten. 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. He was electric, determined, lightning fast. Bruce Lee vs. Jackie Chan vs. Jet Li vs. Donnie Yen. I think I would be nervous to throw a dildo at you. 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. Nothing matters, be free, or nothing matters, give up. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. That hasnt stopped a lot of people. More News. Legendary Hong Kong martial arts actor Jet Li reveals nearly blinding Ip Man star Donnie Yen while filming fight sequences in two different movies. I think, for me, no. 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. Although Yen is widely known and respected in the West, having worked in Hollywood on and off since the late 90s, its nothing compared to how he is recognized in Asia, where his prodigious output made him a giant in the world of Chinese-language cinema. 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.