This whole shot was one take, about 50 moves or something. Ridiculous athleticism. 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. Previous adaptations have had mixed receptions. 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. I cant do stage. Youre a super heroine, and in no time you will be back on your feet again. Jackie Chan Vs Jet Li: Who Would Win? - Grunge.com 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. Guillermo was a total gentleman. 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. But Id love to know how you would describe the film. Im Kara Swisher, and youre listening to Sway. My guest today is Michelle Yeoh, the actor whose nearly four-decade career has included roles in films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Tomorrow Never Dies, and Crazy Rich Asians. But only now has Yeoh gotten her first Hollywood top billing in Everything Everywhere All At Once, a new movie by a pair of filmmakers known as the Daniels. Ten years later, the pair starred in the epic Hero when Li cuts Yen again, this time above his right eye. Its about whats happening in our society. The film won Donnie his third Best Action Choreography prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards, as well as a prize for Best Action in a Foreign Language Film at the Taurus Awards.Yen explored different styles of screen combat when he choreographed the stunning kung fu fights for the period actioners 'Legend of the Fist' and 'The Lost Bladesman', the fantasy combat for 'The Monkey King' and the time travel adventure 'Iceman Cometh 3D'.Many fans feel that Yen delivered his best choreographic work to date in Peter Chan's masterful 'Wu Xia', released in the US as 'Dragon'. So what they did was, like, lets switch the roles because its not been done. Donnie Yen Called Out 'John Wick 4' Asian Stereotypes, Got Script Changes said Yen. 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. Jackie Chan's 20-Year Quest to Share the Screen With Lifelong Friend Jet Li Finally Came to Fruition After Legal Barriers . Its about you going out there and making your own life. Shes not trying to be funny. Copyright 2018 Fandango. The Rise of Gru. Oh, my god. In this conversation, Kara Swisher and Yeoh discuss the film, which Kara describes as The Matrix meets L.S.D. As one of the few Cantonese students, the mainland was a different world. . Im not going to be here talking about how to change how people feel about it. (Yens mom had taught Yuens sister.) Sway is produced by Nayeema Raza, Blakeney Schick, Daphne Chen, Caitlin OKeefe and Wyatt Orme, and edited by Nayeema Raza; fact-checking by Kate Sinclair and Mary Marge Locker; music and sound design by Isaac Jones; mixing by Carole Sabouraud and Sonia Herrero; audience strategy by Shannon Busta. Donnie Yen was born in Guangzhou, China. And then you pull back and you go, what the heck do they have at the end of their sleeve? They thats actually very, very interesting, very clever question, because I do work on both. Joe Origins, starring. Donnie Yen - Wikipedia 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. 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. ), Caine is looking cool and fashionable like all the other John Wick characters. Also, the mother and the daughter-in-law. Its not like a Marvel universe where you can understand and you find it relatable. 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'. He took the on-screen depiction of the style to new heights with the film 'SPL', released in the US as 'Kill Zone'. 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. Will ringmaster Mark Ellis give the W to the Drunken Master, the true Hero,Ip Man himself, or the mother-bleeping Dragon himself? 04 Mar 2023 03:42:41 In Hong Kong during those heady early days, there was no real dividing line between the actors and the stunt department. The film was a huge success in Hong Kong and China, and 'Ip Man' went on to find favor with audiences worldwide. Yen, broke, would hang around film sets just so he could eat for free. 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! Have you been in animation? They make these [MINION VOICES]. Over time, he learned a few tricks to soften the blows. And it was like its very much like dancing, if you look at it. It's all here And its a science fiction. 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. And one of the things that was interesting to me is Ive never seen you in something so silly, which is, I think fantastic. At the time, the demand for martial arts movies was waning, and Yen was determined to innovate within a genre starting to grow stale. I cannot do stage. 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. Donnie also took up hip-hop and break-dancing. At the time, Hong Kong cinemaas personified by Jackie Chanwas producing the most electrifying action movies in the world. Right? But for brevitys sake, heres just one. The older I get, the more I kind of look into what Im about, Yen says. The Planet Is Burning. 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. As an outspoken person, I always questioned, Yen says. Ten Questions with Flash Point Star Donnie Yen - Rotten Tomatoes It was heralded as a game-changer of how U.S. viewed the Asian film industry. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. I said, "Really? He was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer and died while the film was still in postproduction. Its a major project for Yen. Beyond the limitations of his mother's school, Yen began training in various different fighting arts, including Japanese karate, Korean taekwondo and western boxing. Their bromance was crystallized in 2016, when Stallone presented the Chinese action icon with an honorary Academy. This is a John Wick movie. It wasnt a protest, okay, it was a riot, Yen says. And two, did it do that? And he was going to be the principal. The shot was simple: Yen had to block an incoming strike with his pole, while keeping the straight face of a badass wushu master. This is not uncommon. Its why he relishes every action sceneevery bump, every bruise. Donnie Yen. 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. And the mother is trying to convince her otherwise. Heaven or hell, or whatever. Its not just the age thing. He received his first full action directing credit on the Michelle Yeoh, kung fu drama 'Wing Chun', in which he also starred.Yen further developed his style of choreography in the high pressure world of Hong Kong television, where he created the action for his hit series 'Kung Fu Master' and 'Fist of Fury', and as a low-budget film-maker, when he directed, starred in and choreographed the movies 'Legend of the Wolf' and 'Ballistic Kiss'.It was after Yen had helmed his first two Chinese features that Hollywood made its first serious bid for his services. 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. Look at theJohn Wick franchise itself, which would not exist without the influences of John Woo and Yuen. It took a long time for Yen to become a leading man. She would drag me out of bed, whack me with a wooden stick. Yeah. Theyve been part of this community forever. Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen talks about his favorite martial arts films, his extensive career, and infusing his latest film, Flash Point, with the styles of Mixed Martial Arts. Im doing Tigers Apprentice. Im in the next Minions.. So he had a stunt double wired up, Yen explains. Whereas a younger Yen was once hungry to prove himself, he is no longer excited by offers from Hollywood. Its very, very limited. Why cant he have a normal name? 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. I mean, the universe of your life, your real life as a martial arts movie star, was very sad. It was such a sensation. Bravura martial arts choreography. Why do we do this? 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. And we are very, very much part of you know, the Asians belong. Sway is a production of New York Times Opinion. It was old-school military, Yen says. I really, truly appreciate it. Whats it like to be in such a silly film for you? Everybody, one way or the other, knows a Triad, he says. Sunglasses, his own. And then it didnt. Each studio was determined to outdo its rivals for the most elaborate action sequences and flat-out dangerous stunts. Wire work. Joy, wait. Yuen ended up signing Yen, then just 18 years old, to a three-year, multi-movie deal. Very scary. The reception forShanghai Knightsclearly showed that it had outdone Shanghai Noon's blend of Wild West action and anachronistic comedy, but not enough credit is given to Wu Chow's defeat being of the funniest moments of either movie. Ive witnessed all kinds of unimaginable things, Yen says, recalling tricky years when the phone rang less or when creative misfires doomed projects. The same is true of Yen as an actor. And they're quite heavy. And Im like, no way. Coat, $1,981, by Lanvin. And I just went, when? Donnie also received a Best Actor nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards. But she never gives up trying, even though her business is failing. 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. With a passion for storytelling, his favorite media can give an idea of who he is: Vertigo, Panic Room, Jurassic Park, Lawrence of Arabia. 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'. 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. Yes, because its all what I love about all the universes. Thanks for listening. In 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story', Yen plays one of the Rebel warriors responsible for the theft of the Death Star plans, the adventure that, within the 'Star Wars' universe, leads to the events of the very first film in the series. A father and daughter, husband and wife. Shes looking for the mother that she can connect with. Oh, my god, I wish I could just flick my head back and zoom. Yes, yes. Shes literally busy. Shanghai Knights (2003) Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen Shanghai Knights (2003) But theyve never been to China. If there was a multiverse universe that you can jump into, I want to be a rock star. So it would have been in that original thing, initially, it was like, I would have played the wife of Jackie Chan. She was very forceful, old school, like what you see in the movies. Throughout his career, Hollywood has never quite known what to do with himor, until recently, any Asian leading men, for that matter. He shows me a rough cut of the trailer forakra. Its too easy to take that route. Chinese kung fu star, Donnie Yen, is listed as a member of National Committee of CPPCC. 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. And I think thats a cowards way out. I think action movies, he says, are a genre that everybody in the world can appreciate.. Why cant he have a normal name? Shirt, $535, pants, $775, and tie, $220, by Dries Van Noten. That mahjong scene was something else. Between you and Jamie Lee Curtis. Anyway: [Li] hurt himself. 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. He went, "Boop!" Well just put you right back to the same box. Copyright Fandango. Why cant he look cool and fashionable? he continued. 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. 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. Its the first Hollywood movie since the early 90s to have a modern story and all-Asian casts. And thats what we all do. We cant be invincible. Nothing matters, be free, or nothing matters, give up. The schoolwhich, as well as producing national champions, holds Harlem Globetrottersstyle tours across the countryhas cranked out a number of elite martial artists and movie stars; among Yens contemporaries was Jet Li. Why does he always have to be called Shang or Chang? But I think its Barbara Broccoli, Michael Wilson, the producers who realize, its like, yes, lets do something different. Actors including Jackie Chan, Rogue One's Donnie Yen and Transformers star Li . I gotta say, hot dog fingers might be. And Ang is like the most quiet spoken. The publication also noted that Yen has become more selective when offered Hollywood roles and asks if the roles are respectful to Chinese culture and unique. My arms and legs are going in directions that I couldnt even fathom that could happen.