Geekscape Interviews: Donnie Yen Looks Back on ‘Ip Man’ and Ahead for ‘Star Wars’

Bo Jackson, Ilya Kovalchuk, Barry Sanders, Michael Jordan. Donnie Yen.

The first four men were some of the greatest athletes to leave at the top of their game. The last man, Donnie Yen, isn’t an athlete nor is he quite retiring, but stands at the precipice of a new era in his career — one that commands the death of an old one. At 52 years old, Yen is the premiere action icon of Hong Kong but will step into international stardom as he enters a galaxy far, far away in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story this December.

Ip Man 3, the final chapter in Wilson Yip’s sweeping Ip Man saga, is also Donnie Yen’s final foray into martial arts epics. His move is akin to Jet Li, who left sweeping, choreography-intensive period epics after 2006’s Fearless and continued his career in more pop and commercial fares. Not that Ip Man 3 is any less of a popular or marketable product; premiering Christmas Eve in Hong Kong and January 22 in the U.S., the film has grossed some $116 million worldwide.

During the U.S. press tour for Ip Man 3, I spent some time with Donnie Yen to talk about the finality of this era in his career and the beginning of what’s to come.

This is your third outing as the legendary Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man. What did you do differently to prepare for the role this time, that you didn’t do in Ip Man or Ip Man 2?

Yen: I think the preparation was done eight years ago when I first took on the role, because I didn’t know whether I could really create an important character such as this one. But the first one obviously became very very successful, and then I know that I can act many other different ways. I have to kind of maintain the same characteristic as the very first one.

So for me, the challenge wasn’t so much of the character. I felt really good about entering the third installment, and back in Asia, I used to tell all the reporters, the pressure was on Wilson Yip, the director.

What have you learned about yourself from playing Ip Man these last few years? What have you discovered taking on such a huge role that means so much to so many?

Yen: I think when a person, when an actor plays a role, he’s representing a good part of himself. That’s why the same role played by different actors will have different results, so therefore when you’re watching [my] Ip Man you’re watching the maturity of Donnie Yen. The first installment to the third installment you see the maturity level, and you can see that complexity, that growth from the film.

The big show stopper of Ip Man 3 is your fight with Mike Tyson. What was it like shooting with Tyson? How did that scene come together?

Yen: We spent a lot of time. That’s the culture over there, we spent a lot of time perfecting every shot. We spent three weeks. Compared to my very very first martial arts film, 33 years ago, when I spent a whole month shooting a scene, three weeks is still nothing. A long time right? But it was a pleasant experience for me.

I’m a big fan of his boxing, I’ve watched every single one of his fights, and I know that fighting on screen there’s an opportunity to create one of the best fight scenes in film history. So I was very excited, but at the same time, I know what kind of fight that I’ll be getting into. I want to leave the set safely and go back home. Mike is a wonderful guy, and very good to work with, and very professional about it, and we had a great experience.

You mentioned working on your first film just now. Ip Man 3 is probably your final martial arts film. Do you think it’s really the last time? 

Yen: I’ve been in the film industry for 33 years, stared in 68 movies, made numerous type of screen heroes, so for me to play another kung fu movie… I don’t know If I can ever play another kung fu hero, that same type of character, that can compare to a character like Ip Man. That’s why at the time I gave some interviews saying that [about] Ip Man 3. But then there could be a Ip Man 4, so never say never.

Do you personally hope there to be an Ip Man 4?

Yen: The director approached me already because apparently we’ve broken all the records in Asia, and it’s supply and demand. If the fans love it, why not. I’m feeling good about my physical shape.

So doing sweeping kung-fu epics isn’t about the overall wear and tear on your body.

Yen: It’s not like you’re fighting in the ring, where you have to be young, and you basically excel in those three minutes. How you make fighting is a good part of acting. The more mature you are the better the actor you are.

You just brought up that Ip Man 3 is breaking records in Asia, but you’re about to break in the U.S. and abroad very soon. We’ll see you in Star Wars soon! How’s that going?

Yen: The movie is going to be a great film… and that’s all I can say. [laughs] I’m flattered, and excited, I’m the first Chinese actor ever to be invited to be part of this whole Star Wars universe. That’s great, to bring my children to the premiere.

What’s the most memorable memory you have from making Ip Man the last couple years?

Yen: Like I said, I’ve been in this for so long, and I’ve made many [movies]. I believe [Ip Man] influenced the action industry everywhere in the world. I still believe in that. Eight years ago when it first opened it actually changed the game, and it gave me a great opportunity to choose my roles as an actor, and I’m very grateful.

So after Ip Man 2 I kind of took a step back away from the character and explored the possibilities as an actor. The last five years, and I’ve probably did about fifteen movies in the past, I don’t know how many movies in the last five years, you know from playing Grandmaster to comedies, Monkey King and undercover cops, you name it. As an actor, I don’t take anything for granted. I scored a wide range of different characters, so at the end to say that I have to come back, it’s to this role, this is my iconic role.

Do you feel any pressure from being “the” guy that could bridge Hong Kong and Hollywood cinema?

Yen: Let me give you… I’ll share this very true experience with you. I’ve also shot Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon 2, right? So, I was in this event in China and I was eating pizza with Leonardo DiCaprio, a star with different couple of big boys sitting on the table, and Harvey Weinstein came up to me — Harvey Weinstein bought the rights for Crouching Tiger, and he said, “Donnie, you’re going to be in Crouching Tiger 2, this is such a great move for you, you’re breaking Hollywood…” I told Harvey, I really appreciate the opportunities, I’m really flattered, but this is not what I want next year in my life. I’ve been in the business for 33 years, you know, if anything is going to give me satisfaction, it’s not about where or which industry that I’m going to be in. It’s the subject of the film that’s going to bring the satisfaction to me. Any films that can convey the message of positivity to society, I’m in.

Ip Man 3 is out now in theaters.