Each Martial Arts Star In Donnie Yen’s Ip Man Films
Donnie Yen’s Ip Man motion pictures embrace many different well-known martial artists all through the collection – right here is each one featured within the franchise. Like many Hong Kong martial arts movies, the Ip Man kung fu film franchise takes audiences right into a interval setting to deal with a kung fu grasp of nice historic significance, specifically Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man. The world remembers Ip Man as one of many biggest exponents of Wing Chun kung fu to ever stay, alongside together with his position in mentoring the younger Bruce Lee as an up-and-coming well-known martial artist.
Yen was already a giant star in Hong Kong together with his roles in lots of martial arts movies for the ’80s and ’90s, however the mid-2000s have been the place he broke out internationally with each his MMA-based motion pictures Sha Po Lang and Flash Level and the Ip Man collection. As a tribute to each Ip Man himself and the artwork of Wing Chun, the Ip Man movies embrace a solid filled with martial arts masters like Donnie Yen, whose combat scenes with Jackie Chan, along with the complete scope of his profession, offers him a deep data of what makes an ideal combat scene. With every bringing their very own expertise from totally different disciplines of fight to the collection, the solid of the Ip Man franchise would make it one of many biggest martial arts film collection ever produced.
With Donnie Yen’s famed predilection for mixing totally different types of martial arts on-screen, it might solely make sense that he and the manufacturing staff of the Ip Man movies would need as many incredible martial artists within the Ip Man collection as potential. Yen’s opponents, mates, and naturally Bruce Lee within the Ip Man motion pictures embrace legends of martial arts movies identified all over the world, stunt individuals extra readily acknowledged by die arduous martial arts lovers for the memorable secondary and villainous roles they’ve taken on, and the whole lot in between. Listed here are the martial artists who comprise Donnie Yen’s punching and kicking co-stars within the Ip Man motion pictures.
Hiroyuki Ikeuchi
The position of Ip Man’s villain’s Basic Miura is portrayed by Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, who proves to be a formidable opponent for each Ip Man and quite a few different martial artists within the movie. A black belt in Judo, Ikeuchi will not be as identified for martial arts roles, however his efficiency as Miura in Ip Man gave him worldwide recognition as its very sturdy antagonist. Ikeuchi will also be seen in movies like Railroad Tigers with Jackie Chan and the motion movie Manhunt, directed by famed white dove fan John Woo.
Fan Siu-wong
Ip Man’s kung fu rival Jin Shanzhao is portrayed by Fan Siu-wong within the first two Ip Man movies, with Jin turning into his ally by Ip Man 2. A wushu practitioner, Fan Siu-wong gained fame within the infamously gory 1991 manga adaptation Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky, whereas his filmography consists of one other Ip Man movie 2010’s The Legend is Born: Ip Man, together with the 2014 Donnie Yen film Kung Fu Killer.
Shi Yan Neng
Shi Yan Neng can also be credited on quite a few motion pictures as Xing Yu, together with Ip Man, and he spent a decade as a monk at China’s legendary Shaolin Temple earlier than starting in motion pictures. Yan Neng seems in Ip Man because the Wing Chun sifu’s good friend Lin, earlier than returning (credited as Xing Yu once more) as Fu in Grasp Z: Ip Man Legacy. Yan Neng has displayed his kung fu expertise to different martial arts movies just like the comedy basic Kung Fu Hustle, Flash Level, Shaolin, The Wrath of Vajra, and Iron Protector.
Chen Zhiliu
Wushu exponent Chen Zhihui seems in Ip Man as Grasp Liu, who has a pleasant sparring match with the Wing Chun grandmaster within the film’s first combat scene. Chen was additionally seen in Jet Li’s 2006 film Fearless as Qin Lei, whereas he additionally labored with Donnie Yen once more in 14 Blades. Chen’s different credit together with The Legend is Born – Ip Man as Ip Man’s father Ip Chun and Shaolin.
Sammo Hung
A real legend of Hong Kong motion motion pictures, Sammo Hung first was combat choreographer on Ip Man, and later appeared alongside Donnie Yen in Ip Man 2. Hung grew up within the Peking Opera Academy with Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao, and he was Bruce Lee’s opponent in Enter the Dragon‘s opening combat scene (Hung and Lee’s pleasant kung fu change on-set being among the many movie’s many legends). Hung later lead the two-season American TV collection Martial Legislation as Sammo Legislation, whereas Hung’s many martial arts movies embrace Magnificent Butcher, Challenge A, Wheels on Meals, My Fortunate Stars, and Sha Po Lang (reverse Yen).
Darren Shahlavi
The late Darren Shahlavi tragically handed away on the age of 42 in 2015, however he left behind a giant impression together with his work in martial arts movies. Shahlavi portrayed the sinister British boxer Taylor “The Tornado” Milos in Ip Man 2. Shahlavi can also be well-remembered for motion pictures like Bloodmoon and Pound of Flesh, together with reveals like Steel Hurlant Chronicles and Mortal Kombat: Legacy as Kano.
Dennis To
Wushu champion Dennis To takes on the roles of Hu Wei and Ip Man and Cheng Wai-kai in Ip Man 2 (nodding to Jet Li’s Fearless in one among its large combat scenes). The identical yr because the latter’s launch, Dennis To additionally ship his personal efficiency as Ip Man himself in The Legend is Born – Ip Man, later portraying Ip Man once more Ip Man: Kung Fu Grasp. To additionally labored alongside Yen in Bodyguards and Assassins, and he has been seen in different martial arts movies like 2012’s Wu Dang.
Lo Mang
Hong Kong martial arts film followers know the Shaw Brothers studio as an epicenter of kung fu movies within the twentieth century, and Lo Mang hails from the studio’s famed Venom Mob. A practitioner of Tai Chi and Southern Praying Mantis, is known as Liang Shen, a.ok.a. The Toad, within the Shaw Brothers basic 5 Lethal Venoms, with numerous different kung fu film appearances to his title. Within the backdrop of Bruce Lee turning into Ip Man’s scholar, Lo Mang portrays Grasp Legislation within the Ip Man franchise.
Enjoyable Hak-On
The Ip Man collection noticed Enjoyable Hak-On take part Ip Man 2 as Baquazhang sifu Grasp Cheng, one among Ip Man’s opponents within the movie’s table-top smackdown. Enjoyable Hak-On’s profession started within the ‘60s, with the kung fu motion pictures he’s appeared in together with The Chinese language Boxer with Jimmy Wang-yu and Dragon Lord with Jackie Chan. Enjoyable handed away in 2016, together with his last look being 2014’s Philip Ng-led As soon as Upon A Time In Shanghai.
Max Zhang
Ip Man 3’s semi-antagonist Cheung Tin-chi is performed by wushu champion Max Zhang, who later reprised the position in Grasp Z: Ip Man Legacy. Zhang was additionally seen as Sa Man in Wong Kar-wai’s Ip Man film The Grandmaster. Moreover, Max Zhang may be seen in movies like SPL II: A Time for Penalties, Pacific Rim: Rebellion, and in Sylvester Stallone’s Escape Plan collection, particularly Escape Plan: Extractors.
Simon Kuke
Ip Man 3 handled audiences to the Wing Chun dynamo taking over a Muay Thai fighter, with Simon Kuke buying and selling kicks and elbows with Donnie Yen of their combat. Impressed to get into stunt work by Tony Jaa, Kuke (additionally identified by the Thai title Sarut Khanwilai) would go on to work with Jaa and his mentor Panna Rittikrai often in motion pictures like The Bodyguard, Tom Yum Goong, Ong Bak 2: The Starting, and Pores and skin Commerce, doubling for Jaa within the latter three. Kuke additionally labored alongside Iko Uwais, Lewis Tan, and JuJu Chan Szeto within the 2022 Netflix film Fistful of Vengeance.
Leung Kar-yan
Ip Man 3’s Tin Ngo-san is performed by Hong Kong’s legendary Leung Kar-yen, generally identified by the nickname of “Beardy.” In distinction to the years of martial arts coaching Donnie Yen dropped at Hollywood and his Hong Kong roles, Leung is a real anomaly of martial arts movie legends, having lacked any formal coaching earlier than starting his profession in Hong Kong motion pictures like Return of the One-Armed Swordsman and 5 Shaolin Masters. Regardless of that, Leung’s expertise for choosing up actions rapidly has served him extraordinarily nicely in his lengthy profession in motion pictures from Warriors Two to True Legend.
Michelle Yeoh
Considered one of Asia’s finest identified motion stars, Michelle Yeoh portrays businesswoman Tso Ngan Kwan in Grasp Z: Ip Man Legacy. Yeoh’s profession in Hong Kong motion motion pictures is huge, together with motion pictures like Sure Madam, Police Story 3: Supercop, and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Yeoh’s Western work consists of Tomorrow By no means Dies, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Every part In every single place All At As soon as, in addition to the TV collection Star Trek: Discovery.
Tony Jaa
The discharge of Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior introduced Thai martial arts marvel Tony Jaa to worldwide acclaim with the movie’s heart-stoppingly actual stunts and Muay Thai fights, which Jaa adopted with the 2 Ong Bak prequels. Jaa boarded the Ip Man franchise with Grasp Z: Ip Man Legacy as Stated the Warrior. Jaa has additionally set the bar excessive in Asian motion movies the Tom Yum Goong movies and SPL II: A Time for Penalties, and he is achieved the identical in Hollywood motion pictures like Pores and skin Commerce, Livid 7, Triple Risk, and Jiu Jitsu.
Dave Bautista
Former skilled wrestler Dave Bautista portrays the imposing villain of Grasp Z: Ip Man Legacy, Owen Davidson, taking over Yan Neng and Zhang in some very hard-hitting combat scenes. Although Bautista will not be primarily identified for his roles in Jackie Chan-style martial arts movies, he has nonetheless made notable appearances in ones like The Man with the Iron Fists, Kickboxer: Vengeance, and The Warrior’s Gate. Exterior such martial arts antagonist roles, Bautista is finest referred to as Drax the Destroyer within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Bautista additionally anchoring Military of the Lifeless and portraying Glossu Rabban in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune movies.
Yuen Wah
Starting with stunt work on Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon, Yuen Wah seems within the Ip Man collection as an Agent in Grasp Z: Ip Man Legacy. Yueh was additionally one of many college students dubbed the “Seven Little Fortunes” within the Peking Opera Academy, which included Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao. Wah’s intensive profession in kung fu motion pictures like these of Bruce Lee consists of quite a few motion pictures with one or all the three like Coronary heart of Dragon, Twinkle, Twinkle Fortunate Stars, and Millionaire’s Categorical. Wah additionally joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Guang Bo in Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Danny Chan
Well-known for his uncanny resemblance to Bruce Lee, Danny Chan joined the Ip Man franchise as the person himself with Ip Man 3, later reprising the position in Ip Man 4: The Finale. An exponent of Lee’s martial arts philosophy Jeet Kune Do, Chan additionally performed Bruce Lee within the collection The Legend of Bruce Lee, whereas his different notable roles embrace Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle. Chan’s spot-on portrayal of Bruce Lee and use of Jeet Kune Do would make him probably the most memorable parts of Ip Man 3 and Ip Man 4.
Wu Yue
In Ip Man 4: The Finale, the Wing Chun grandmaster faces some philosophical variations with San Francisco-based Tai Chi grasp Wan Zonghua, performed by Wu Yue. Having beforehand performed Chen Zhen within the 2001 TV collection Huo Yuan-Jia, Wu additionally appeared with Jackie Chan and Steve Yoo within the 2009 historic film Little Large Soldier. Different martial arts movies in Wu Yue’s profession together with Cat and Mouse and Paradox.
Mark Unusual
Bruce Lee’s large combat scene in Ip Man 4 sees him tackle a karate exponent in an alleyway, with Mark Unusual donning a gi and breaking out his kicks and nunchaku equally utilized by Bruce Lee in his combating type for the fast-paced alley combat. Unusual has achieved stunt work and combat choreography on motion pictures like The Medallion and Zombie Diairies 2, whereas his on-camera roles have included working with Scott Adkins on 2019’s Avengement as Clif, headlining the horror-action film Redcon-1. Although Unusual will not be as widely known as a result of primarily showing in stunt or secondary roles, his Bruce Lee combat scene in Ip Man 4 is nonetheless one of many film’s most memorable motion scenes.
Chris Collins
Former U.S. Marine Chris Collins would occupy one of many antagonistic roles of Ip Man 4: The Finale as Marine Karate teacher Colin Frater. As an exponent of Wing Chun kung fu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Collins teaches in Hong Kong along with his movie work. Exterior of contributing to the Ip Man franchise’s martial arts motion scenes, Collins’s work within the Hong Kong movie trade has additionally included roles in motion pictures like Wolf Warrior, Paradox, and the Donnie Yen motion film Raging Fireplace.
Vanness Wu
Taiwanese-American pop star Vanness Wu is the controversial coronary heart of Ip Man 4 as Hartman Wu, a U.S. Marine finding out underneath Bruce Lee advocating for his and Ip Man’s teachings to be a part of their curriculum. Wu first started in Hong Kong motion pictures with 2005’s Star Runner and later headlines 2007’s Kung Fu Fighter. Wu’s different notable credit embrace Dragon Squad, Monk Comes Down The Mountain, and Undercover Punch and Gun.
Scott Adkins
Personally requested for Ip Man 4: The Finale by Donnie Yen, Scott Adkins performs the film’s xenophobic arch-villain, Gunnery Sergeant Barton Geddes. Adkins is likely one of the finest identified and acclaimed martial arts stars within the Western world, having shot to fame together with his portrayal of the Undisputed franchise’s wonderful MMA fighter Yuri Boyka. Amongst his many different martial arts film credit are Isaac Florentine’s Ninja movies, Common Soldier: Day of Reckoning, Triple Risk, the Accident Man motion pictures, and numerous others alongside his position within the Ip Man collection.
