10 Nice Martial Arts Film Stars That Are not Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee
In relation to cult cinema, the martial arts style has generated one of the crucial devoted fan bases in movie historical past. The style ruled the Hong Kong scene within the past due 60s, however in reality exploded within the 70s, due to the upward push of the primary world martial arts famous person, Bruce Lee.
After Lee’s premature passing, every other family title in martial arts arrived to select up the gauntlet, and his title was once Jackie Chan. Each very other of their method, Chan and Lee are continuously the primary names that spring to mind once we talk about martial arts films. On the other hand, over time, stars from all over the world have constructed their careers on swift punches and high-flying kicks. The next are only a few of many martial arts superstars that belong in the similar dialog as the 2 greats.
Donnie Yen
In spite of being a staple within the 90s martial arts scene, Donnie Yen did not in reality blow up in mainstream reputation till the discharge of Ip Guy in 2008. It was once there he displayed his lighting-quick reflexes and mastery of Wing Chun. The movie would pass directly to spawn more than one sequels and spin-offs, ushering in a protracted past due renaissance for Yen’s occupation.
Along with Wing Chun, Yen is knowledgeable in more than one types of martial arts, starting from Muay Thai to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Nice motion pictures for learners to Yen’s paintings come with the Ip Guy franchise, Iron Monkey and Kill Zone.
Sammo Hung
Identified for his signature bowl-cut and a heavier body than maximum martial arts stars, Sammo Hung is a singular presence and an absolute powerhouse within the style. He is continuously given credit score for keeping up the style’s reputation within the 80s and bolstering the careers of different martial arts icons.
Regardless that he is most renowned for offering memorable supporting roles and a prepared eye for struggle choreography, Hung has confirmed a worthy main guy as neatly. A few of his splendid paintings can also be present in The Prodigal Son, Japanese Condors and Encounters of the Spooky Type.
Jason Statham
Whilst the early 2000s are continuously thought to be a weaker technology for motion, Jason Statham was once busy doing the type of B-movie stunt-based motion gold that whole fandoms had been constructed round within the 70s. Along with his hybrid background as a gymnast/martial artist, Statham is as agile as he’s hard-hitting.
Now firmly in his 50s, Statham remains to be going sturdy, having labored his means into the wildly a hit Speedy & Livid franchise and incomes his personal spin-off with The Rock. For extra of Statham’s model of motion, take a look at The Transporter, Crank and The Mechanic.
Michelle Yeoh
Having made a reputation for herself in a male-dominated business, Michelle Yeoh has helped pave the way in which for girls now not handiest in martial arts cinema, however the motion style as a complete. She starred along Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond and the mythical Jackie Chan himself, proving simply as fierce and dynamic as her male opposite numbers.
With fresh motion pictures like Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and The whole thing In every single place All at As soon as, Yeoh has after all won a much-deserved world appreciation. For extra of Yeoh’s aura and acrobatic finesse, search out The Heroic Trio, Supercop, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Tony Jaa
When the trailer was once first launched for Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, main as much as its premiere in 2003, motion enthusiasts went wild. It promised hard-hitting struggle sequences, sensible stunts and, in fact, the advent of brand-new martial arts famous person, Tony Jaa. The movie saved its promise on all accounts, launching Jaa into fast cult standing.
Whilst lots of his next motion pictures struggled to reside as much as the hype of his first trip, Jaa has persevered to ship intense Muay Thai motion, even taking part with different legends within the style. Take into account that, Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior is a must-see if you have not already, however some forged follow-ups come with The Protector and Triple Risk.
Scott Adkins
The king of the Redbox and VOD martial arts film circuit, Scott Adkins has slowly constructed up a faithful fan base over time. His motion pictures don’t seem to be precisely identified for prime manufacturing worth or status filmmaking, however Adkins’ brief and brutal preventing taste and dedication to stunt paintings continuously end up greater than sufficient to make up for it.
With revel in in different martial arts disciplines, Adkins was once a unprecedented English import to make his leap forward within the Hong Kong motion scene within the early 2000s. For a glimpse into how he completed this cult standing, monitor down Ninja 2: Shadow of a Tear, Undisputed II: Closing Guy Status, and Avengement.
Jet Li
Having earned his stay in different Hong Kong motion pictures during the 90s, Jet Li is more than likely best-known for his explosion onto the Hollywood scene within the early 2000s. Regardless that he continuously performs the calm and stoic hero, Li has a heat aura that shines thru in each efficiency.
Making appearances as just lately as 2020’s Mulan, Li remains to be at the radar of basic audiences and may just most probably be the third-biggest title in world martial arts fandom, in the back of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. For a have a look at his distinctive megastar energy, take a look at Fearless, Fist of Legend, and the As soon as Upon a Time in China trilogy.
Michael Jai White
Michael Jai White made his leap forward as the primary African American on-screen superhero in 1997’s Spawn, then went directly to pursue a occupation within the motion film underground. He studied in a handful of martial arts kinds since adolescence and has persevered to toughen his craft over time.
Regardless that he does not take care of essentially the most high-profile martial arts filmography, White’s depth and implementing presence as a fighter has earned him a cult following within the style, even splashing into the Asian martial arts marketplace on a number of events. A few of his splendid paintings can also be present in Falcon Emerging, Undisputed 2 and Blood and Bone. As an added bonus, take a look at his hilarious against-type efficiency within the blaxploitation parody, Black Dynamite.
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Identified lovingly as “The Muscle mass from Brussels”, Jean-Claude Van Damme joined the ranks of different muscle-bound beefcake heroes within the Eighties, atmosphere himself aside together with his martial arts background and fantastic acrobatic prowess.
After hitting a coarse patch and fading into obscurity within the early 2000s, Van Damme sooner or later made a low-key comeback with the TV collection Jean-Claude Van Johnson, showcasing his still-competent martial arts talents, in addition to a self-aware humorousness. For Van Damme in his high, glance now not additional than Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Exhausting Goal.
Iko Uwais
Some of the newer breakout motion film stars, Indonesian martial artist Iko Uwais took the sector by way of typhoon with Gareth Evans’ The Raid: Redemption in 2011. Uwais and his trainer, Yayan Ruhian, choreographed the kinetic struggle sequences and offered motion cinema to the Indonesian martial artwork of Silat.
Uwais has since persevered to hone his craft within the martial arts scene, taking part with different distinguished martial artists and making cameos in high-profile blockbusters like Megastar Wars Episode VII: The Pressure Awakens. The Raid 2, the sequel to Uwais’ breakout hit, is arguably his splendid exhibit as an motion megastar, however different nice examples come with The Evening Comes For Us, Headshot, and Triple Risk.
