A blurb from Hong Kong’s tabloid Apple Daily claims that Donnie Yen ( Ip Man) has signed up for a role in Star Wars.
What’s more, the news is also claiming that 51 years old Yen will start acting alongside stars like Harrison Ford at London starting next month but so far there is no other corroborative news to support this assertion. Some sources are disputing this fact as the production schedule for Episode VIII is only able to start late this year in realistic time frame.
The martial artist is no stranger to Hollywood, as he has appeared in movies like Blade II (2002) and Shanghai Knights (2003). To be put things in perspective, J.J Abrams did cast some martial artist extras from Raid 2 in The Force Awakens so this news might have some possibility to be true. Also, there is a rumour going on that Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) is seeking an Asian action star to be included in Rogue One.
Plus, from a marketing point of view, an inclusion of Asian mega-star Yen will get more traction with Asian audience,s especially China which is seen by Hollywood as the fastest growing, lucrative market in box office collection. One just has to look at Pacific Rim (2013) or Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014).
However, readers are advised to take this news with a pinch of salt as we’re not sure yet if its official.
via Twitch, Yahoo News & SlashFilm
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