Hong Kong cinema might be famous for John Woo’s bullet ballet, or the lush visuals and sentiment of Wong Kar-wai, but it’s the city’s kung fu movies that have produced the most enduring stars. Bruce Lee remains Hong Kong’s best-known son, but through death-defying stunts Jackie Chan was able to move out of Lee’s shadow in the ’80s and become a star all on his own. Come the ’90s, Jet Li was the new poster boy of martial arts cinema, which culminated with a move to Hollywood beginning with Lethal Weapon 4 (1998).
The new century, however, belongs to Donnie Yen. No overnight success, Yen started out as a stuntman in Shaolin Drunkard, legendary action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping’s 1983 cult classic. It was the start of the 20-year-old’s career, and by the mid-’90s Yen was acknowledged as a reliable action star. Following a string of impressive performances in well regarded films – the likes of Tiger Cage 2 (1990), Dragon Inn (1992), Once Upon A Time in China II (1992) and Iron Monkey (1993) – Yen appeared to be on the cusp of stardom. This feeling was confirmed thanks to a role in Zhang Yimou’s Oscar-nominated Hero (2002).
Yet a final breakthrough still eluded the Guangzhou-born, Boston-raised actor. It wasn’t until 2007’s Flashpoint that Yen really achieved the recognition he deserved. With its explosive and innovative amalgam of kung fu and MMA, the film bagged both the Hong Kong Film Award and Golden Horse award for Best Action Choreography. Yen followed Flashpoint with an even bigger hit, Ip Man, which was named Best Film at the Hong Kong Film Awards and scored Yen a nomination for Best Actor.
His career has since gone from strength to strength. Ip Man has generated two sequels, Yen stars in the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel currently on general release and he’s been cast in Star Wars spin-off Rogue One.
Having achieved international recognition, it came as a surprise when Yen announced during a press conference for Ip Man 3 last year that the film would be his last kung fu movie. We began by asking him to explain more.
You said Ip Man 3 would be your last kung fu movie, is it true?
It’s definitely intended to be my last one, but you know, we can’t predict what’s going on in the future, right?
So, never say never?
I have every intention in my mind that it’s going to be my last martial arts movie. It’s really hard. As an actor, I want to move on. I understand that the world changes, so I can’t say ‘never’, but I definitely consider this is my last heroic martial arts kung fu movie.
What led you to that decision?
As an actor, Ip Man is a role that really touches the audience. It’s hard to find a character you can play perfectly and at the same time have the audience love what you’re doing. It’s very difficult to find something of the same stature.
Ip Man put you on the international stage. Do you feel a personal connection to him?
Well, Ip Man isn’t completely based on the historical truth, though we tried as much as possible to keep the actual facts. And as an actor, when you’re cast, the director usually has you in mind. Meaning that he has your characteristics, your life, background or something about you in mind with the character. A lot of people know I’m a family man, therefore our Ip Man, the character, is written that way. That’s based a lot on my personal life.
You’ve been involved with martial arts for a long time. How have things changed?
When I was young, Bruce Lee was making kung fu a household thing normal to people who didn’t know anything about kung fu. When I was in Boston, 30 years ago, martial arts, especially Asian martial arts, were considered an unknown territory. They were a mystery. Today, it’s a common thing which everybody does. That’s a big difference.
Do you teach your children martial arts?
Absolutely. Like all things, I believe when we teach our kids, we have to learn how to inspire them. I’m still learning as a father, but at the moment I don’t teach my kids that much.
Mike Tyson had a part in Ip Man and we’re told that you broke his finger…
Accident.
So it’s true! What did Tyson say when you broke his finger?
So it’s true! What did Tyson say when you broke his finger?
He said he was pretty sad about it. We went to the clinic and did an X-ray on his finger. When we were filming, there was a lot of blocking [of blows] and moving. My elbow just banged one of his fingers. It was a very small accident. I think the other way round he would also fracture my finger and probably knock me out. These things happen in action movies, especially ones with so much expectation like Ip Man 3. Fans expect high standard, groundbreaking action scenes, so we aim to make the best fighting scenes possible for the audience. So, an accident happened. Luckily, it wasn’t a serious accident.
What can you tell us about your role in the forthcoming Star Wars: Rogue One?
Nothing [chuckles].
How did you feel when you got the call for that?
When anybody calls on you and they have you in mind, that’s flattering, especially as an actor. It means you’re required, you’re the one they want. Obviously, I’m really flattered. I just can’t say too much...
Ip Man 3 is on general release at Shanghai cinemas now.