jdelpiero
16-05-2010, 12:50 AM
Biting the hand that feeds Yen
What do you do after starring in two consecutive box-office hits as its iconic titular role?
Come out and say the success had nothing to do with the legend (and a worldwide following) it's based on, but was down to your own, individual star appeal.
Hong Kong actor Donnie Yen has surely offended many with his narcissism.
In an interview in China, the leading man of the Ip Man series, a semi-biographical recap of the life of the renowned Wing Chun master of Bruce Lee, apparently said, "I feel Ip Man's success had nothing to do with Wing Chun. If I had fought in Hung Kuen, Hung Kuen would be popular. Summer, autumn or winter (joking about the 'Chun' in Wing Chun's Chinese name, which literally means spring), the result would have been the same."
Ip Man I and II have grossed US$45 million (S$62 million) in total so far, with the form of martial art expounded in the films seeing a spike in its popularity these two years.
The aftermath of Donnie's disrespectful comments has been marked by anger from both the Wing Chun and Hung Kuen schools.
Word got to Grandmaster Ip Chun, the eldest son of Ip Man and the worldwide proponent of the art, whose 85 years of age did not hinder him from firing an intelligent and measured response.
"Whether he will reprise the role, it's the movie company's decision. But to say the movies had nothing to do with Wing Chun, please compare them with his other movies and if they were successful. I don't wish to judge, the public can see for themselves."
Ip Chun added that it was a case of ungratefulness and biting the hand that feeds you.
Even action choreographer Sammo Hung, who starred in the sequel as a Hung Kuen master, has lambasted his good friend for arrogance and sounding nonsensical.
Donnie's spokesperson responded from China, where the kungfu star is filming now, "Donnie meant that Ip Man's success was down to characters and their development, and might not be related to the school of martial art. If he doesn't respect Wing Chun he wouldn't have accepted the role!"
:duh:
What do you do after starring in two consecutive box-office hits as its iconic titular role?
Come out and say the success had nothing to do with the legend (and a worldwide following) it's based on, but was down to your own, individual star appeal.
Hong Kong actor Donnie Yen has surely offended many with his narcissism.
In an interview in China, the leading man of the Ip Man series, a semi-biographical recap of the life of the renowned Wing Chun master of Bruce Lee, apparently said, "I feel Ip Man's success had nothing to do with Wing Chun. If I had fought in Hung Kuen, Hung Kuen would be popular. Summer, autumn or winter (joking about the 'Chun' in Wing Chun's Chinese name, which literally means spring), the result would have been the same."
Ip Man I and II have grossed US$45 million (S$62 million) in total so far, with the form of martial art expounded in the films seeing a spike in its popularity these two years.
The aftermath of Donnie's disrespectful comments has been marked by anger from both the Wing Chun and Hung Kuen schools.
Word got to Grandmaster Ip Chun, the eldest son of Ip Man and the worldwide proponent of the art, whose 85 years of age did not hinder him from firing an intelligent and measured response.
"Whether he will reprise the role, it's the movie company's decision. But to say the movies had nothing to do with Wing Chun, please compare them with his other movies and if they were successful. I don't wish to judge, the public can see for themselves."
Ip Chun added that it was a case of ungratefulness and biting the hand that feeds you.
Even action choreographer Sammo Hung, who starred in the sequel as a Hung Kuen master, has lambasted his good friend for arrogance and sounding nonsensical.
Donnie's spokesperson responded from China, where the kungfu star is filming now, "Donnie meant that Ip Man's success was down to characters and their development, and might not be related to the school of martial art. If he doesn't respect Wing Chun he wouldn't have accepted the role!"
:duh: