Donnie Yen is one of the top actors who is well-versed in martial arts and action scenes, well he is quite proficient in multiple types of fighting styles like boxing, kickboxing, and muay thai, which is regarded as one of the toughest forms of martial arts, and many others. Yen has also been directing action scenes in Hollywood for many years now and is one of the highest-paid actors from Asia. His movies have also garnered him enough attention, with roles in films like Mulan, John Wick, and many others.
At the 2023’s Academy Awards Donnie Yen was announced to be an award presenter alongside many other famed celebrities. It is quite an achievement for the martial artist, however, he suffered a severe backlash from Hong Kong activists and pro-democracy supporters who wanted to remove him from his position as an award presenter.
Donnie Yen Claims That He Wants To Be a Patriot
Donnie Yen has been widely acclaimed for being one of the best actors from Hong Kong alongside Jackie Chan who just like our Yen here is also an actor well-versed in martial arts. Yen has starred in blockbuster franchises like the Ip Man, playing its main protagonist, and also in franchises like John Wick, where he portrayed the role of one of the main antagonists twice. He was announced as one of the presenters at the Oscars this year, and soon after his John Wick 4 followed.
After he was announced as a presenter, the martial artist has been attempted to be removed from his role at the Oscars by Hong Kong activists and pro-democracy supporters who submitted a petition and even acquired over 100,000 signatures. Though they gained immense support for having the Ip Man actor removed, the Academy paid no heed to their claim and went ahead with supporting Yen.
Donnie Yen in an interview with Variety said,
“I’m allowed to love my own culture. Love my own country. Why cannot I be patriotic?This whole online cyber-bullying/cancel culture has got to stop. You can’t own somebody’s thoughts. And you want to silence them? It’s totally hypocrites.”
The very place where Donnie Yen grew up in is trying to hold him down and though he was protested against taking on the big stage, the Academy pays no value to their ridiculous claim as Yen was affiliated with the Communist Party of China and the party has been previously accused with committing mass genocide that violated thousands of rights in Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xingjiang.
Donnie Yen in John Wick: Chapter 4
John Wick 4 is already out and fans are going crazy over the actors and their marvelous acting and the immense fight scenes, mainly fans are high over heels for Donnie Yen as the material he provided in the movie is certainly top of the tier. Moreover, the movie is already roaring at the box office and it looks like the fourth installation of the franchise is turning out to be the best one so far. Director Chad Stahelski outdid himself with the fourth installation as the movie has already been declared a box-office success and is turning out to be a box-office major.
Also read: John Wick Chapter 4 Box Office Collection: Is This the End of Keanu Reeves’ $574 Million Franchise
Chad Stahelski in an interview with THR said that the franchise has gained enough success and now it’s time for them to take a break though nothing is set in stone, the franchise may be taking a long break.
“In our minds, Keanu and I are done for the moment. We’re going to give John Wick a rest. I’m sure the studio has a plan. If everyone loves it and it goes kooky, then we’ll take a quiet minute”
The John Wick franchise has earned a total of over $574 million with its 3 movies and the current movie is expected to break multiple records both in terms of box office collection and critic reviews.
John Wick: Chapter 4 is now available at your nearest theatres.
Source: Twitter
