Age: 62
male
Donnie Yen Chi-tan is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He is the recipient of various accolades, including three Golden Horse Awards and five Hong Kong Film Awards. He is best known for portraying Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in the Ip Man film series, namely Ip Man (2008), Ip Man 2 (2010), Ip Man 3 (2015), and Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019). He also served as co-producer for the spin-off Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018). Born in Guangdong, Yen developed an interest in martial arts at a young age, and began experimenting with various styles, including tai chi and other traditional Chinese martial arts. At age 18, he auditioned for action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping in Hong Kong. He landed his first starring role in the 1984 Hong Kong martial arts action film Drunken Tai Chi. He made his breakthrough role as the antagonist General Nap-lan in Once Upon a Time in China II (1992), opposite Jet Li's character. He appeared in several other Hong Kong kung fu films, including Iron Monkey (1993) and Wing Chun (1994). In 1997, he starred in his directorial debut film Legend of the Wolf. Yen made his American debut in Highlander: Endgame (2000), followed by a cameo in Blade II (2002). He went on to appear in the American films Shanghai Knights (2003), Rogue One (2016), XXX: Return of Xander Cage (2017), Mulan (2020), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). He has continued to be active in Hong Kong cinema, appearing in the well-received films Hero (2002), SPL: Sha Po Lang (2005), 14 Blades (2010), Wu Xia (2011), Kung Fu Jungle (2014), Chasing the Dragon (2017), Enter the Fat Dragon (2020), Raging Fire (2021), and The Prosecutor (2024), among others. In television, Yen portrayed fictional character Chen Zhen in the television series Fist of Fury (1995); he reprised the role in the 2010 film Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen. For portraying Ip Man in the Ip Man film series (2008-2019), Yen is credited by many for contributing to the popularisation of Wing Chun in China. Alongside Kung fu, particularly Wing Chun, Yen is also known for incorporating mixed martial arts (MMA) elements into his action choreography. Aside from his acting, in 1997, he established his own production company, Bullet Films, which choreographed the action for Western blockbusters like Blade II (2002) and Stormbreaker (2006).
The story revolves around a 14 year old boy called Justin who dreams of being an adventurer. One day when exploring the ancient Sult Ruins, the spirit stone left to him by his late father opens up a room which he then enters with his friend Sue and her pet Puffy. Inside, he meets a mysterious woman named Liete who tells him that he must travel far to ancient city of Alent. Meanwhile, a military called the Garlyle Forces, lead by General Baal, are also desperately trying to find Alent. While Justin, Sue and Puffy are travelling, they are joined by party members such as the famous adventurer Feena and a mighty warrior named Gadwin. More party members join in disc 2, such as the obnoxious rapscallion Rapp, the Lainian bad-ass Milda, the wise rabbit Guido and Liete herself. Party members come and go but Garlyle proves to be a recurring obstacle in Justin's quest. Colonel Mullen, Lieutenant Leen and the sergeants Nana, Saki & Mio included. Baal becomes the monster known as Gaia and only Justin has the power to stop him. Other characters include Justin's chef mother Lilly, elderly adventurer Java, the creepy Adventurer Society President Pakon, his bodyguard Master Chang, young horned Rem, impressionable child Nicky and many more.
