Donnie Yen Took on Monkey King Role to Break from Ip Man Past
Donnie Yen (甄子丹) admitted that he turned to his son for inspiration when he decided to take on the titular role in The Monkey King <西遊記之大鬧天宮>.
Yesterday, the cast of The Monkey King went to Taiwan to promote the upcoming fantasy action film, which is directed by Cheang Pou Soi (鄭保瑞). In order to fully grasp the monkey characteristics of his role, Donnie revealed that he did his homework by watching a lot of documentaries and animations that featured monkeys.
However, Donnie added that his main inspiration actually came from watching his youngest son James, who was only two years old at the time, playing and jumping around at home. “Watching him, I immediately found that feeling of childhood innocence for my character.”
Best known for his critically-acclaimed portrayal of Wing Chun master Ip Man in the Ip Man <葉問> films, Donnie was asked why he decided to take on a controversial role like the Monkey King. He expressed, “Breaking through performances is my motivation!”
Donnie once suggested to the director to remove his name from the film’s billboards and posters. He expressed his desire to move from his iconic Ip Man role, saying, “No matter what I do, people would still see me as Ip Man. Hopefully, through this film, the audience would not be able to tell who portrayed the Monkey King. I want to keep people guessing, and I want the audience to feel that they’re watching a brand new Donnie Yen through my expressions.”
For the first time in his career, Donnie brought his children to the premiere of The Monkey King. He said his children enjoyed the movie immensely and was completely immersed in the world of heavenly fantasy. “They were so into it. In the scene where the nine-tailed fox gets killed, my son screamed, ‘No!’”
The Monkey King, starring Chow Yun Fat (周潤發), Aaron Kwok (郭富城), Joe Chen (陳喬恩), Peter Ho (何潤東), and more, puts a spin on the origin story of Sun Wukong – known as the Monkey King – the main protagonist in the classical Chinese novel, Journey to the West <西遊記>. The film opens on January 30 in Hong Kong and on January 31 in mainland China, Singapore, and Malaysia. It will premiere in Taiwan on February 7.
Source: On.cc
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
On a random note, Aaron Kwok is madly in love with Chen Qiao En. Just putting it out there… he keeps flirting with her in interviews and that is never been seen before. Looks like Aaron found a new love after Lynn Hung
Is she the same person who rumored with louis koo and wallace? If all rumors are true, she has it going on!
Yes she is. The scandal with Louis Koo was ridiculous because the rumor is totally baseless. At least Wallace seemed more legit because they did admit to dating when they were younger.
But yeah no joke here. If you watch few of ‘The Monkey King’ interviews and conference, I guarantee you see Aaron Kwok hitting on Chen Qiao En every time. Except the girl doesn’t seem like she wants him.
Midget “old shoe” AK just wants to use her to break into the mainland market.
LOL! Aaron Kwok using a nobody to break into the mainland market?
Sure is something new I learned today! Either I underestimated Joe chen’s popularity or I overestimated netizens IQ these days….
@Naomi
LOL. Where do you live??
Joe Chen is a Superstar and chinese entertainment darling. She has good figure, pretty and talented.
Naomi was exaggerated but partly correct. Joe is still making her way in China and Aaron definitely has more fame than her there.
and i thought i was the only one that noticed = = didn’t aaron praise her for having good figure and he just kept going at it like hes desperate. not to mention he kept telling the media that hes interested in filming intimate scenes with CQE and wanted to collaborate for a love movie. It was nasty at first, but I kinda like them together now. haha watch gold fish-eyes lynn gets pissed
Once a dog, always a dog. He makes it so obvious his love life empty. Which “decent” woman would want that piece of “old shoe”?
geniewish,
The stars of “The Monkey King” are probably briefed on topics to discuss with the press at promotional events. Aaron is likely “flirting” with Joe Chen to promote “The Monkey King”; once the initial promotions are over, his flirting would likely stop.
Aaron has always been private, to the extent of being secretive over his past relationships, so it doesn’t make sense for him to suddenly be so public in his romantic pursuits.
imo, lynn hung is better looking than chen qiao en
their style is completely different. chen qiao has that average-looking face but it’s pleasant to look at at the very least. lynn hung on the other hand… I agree with majority that her scary eyes ruined all.
“No matter what I do, people would still see me as Ip Man.”
LOL you wish donnie.
Yip Man will always be seen as being Bruce Lee’s sifu, not you – no matter how many Ip Man movies you do.
Just like you will never be seen as Sun Wukong or Guan Yu or whatever popular Chinese hero you try to make yourself out to be.
What an ego….. He’s the next jackie chan. Huge ego/diva and no acting talent.
umm sorry, but I do think of him when I hear IP man. only cause I’ve watched that movie 10 times before I knew who IP MAN was.
International HK action movie fans associate the title role to Yen. Actually, Chinese also associate Yen to the 2008 movie because it was the very first movie about Yip Man.
You hate Yen to the fullest… Yes, we get it.
You missed the context and blasted him for no reason.
Yes, he is not a good actor, but he is an action star and his Ip Man choreography moves are fantastic.
And people do associate him as Ip Man. Of course, he is not the real Ip Man (this reasoning of yours is lame) but mentioned the celluloid Ip Man and people will think of him.
His acting has improved ever since Ip Man though. Bodyguards & Assassins, Ip Man 2, and Wu Xia are his best acting showcases showing apparent growth and maturity. I think the quality of his acting hugely depends on who he’s working with.
International HK action movie fans associate the title role to Yen. Actually, Chinese also associate Yen to the 2008 movie because it was the very first movie about Yip Man.
You hate Yen to the fullest… Yes, we get it.
Every artiste looks the same to me in the Monkey King’s role.
@Naomi
LOL. Where do you live??
Joe Chen is a Superstar and chinese entertainment darling. She has good figure, pretty and talented.
sorry wrong place.
kekeke at first I thought he was joking but it kinda obvious now. LOL he keeps flirting with Joe and looks so happy :p
I even growing to like they pairing now,, (read = on screen)
I think Donnie Yen has proved himself in this movie. There is no trace of Ip Man or Donnie Yen in his Monkey King. His movement, and expression are all very convincing.
As monkey king? I agree on the Ip Man thing but I disagree on the convincing part. There are times I thought Aaron as Bull Demon outshone him for the fact I didn’t notice monkey king. He tried of course, and I think this is Donnie most animated performance but unfortunately he managed to make Monkey King boring.
His facial expressions are kinda lacked but his movements are monkey-like. I used to think of him as a bad actor but Monkey King is so far his best work, an exception. After Liu Xiao Ling Tong, Donnie is the second who makes a convincing monkey.