http://www.wu-jing.org/News/M04/2004-02-Donnie-Yen-on-Protege-de-la-Rose-Noir.php
Would Never Act as A Treacherous Chinese
Apart from The Twins Effect 2, what are you plans for this
year?
Donnie Yen: In April, I would be starring in a Hong Kong period
kungfu movie that is being directed by Daniel Lee. (It might be
called Swordmaster and also stars Wu Jing). In mid May, I would
produce and also star in a Mainland wuxia TV series. The other
cast-members have not been fixed. This would be my first venture
into Mainland soap opera market. I would be trying out some new
shooting techniques.
You seem to be doing lesser Hollywood movies recently?
Donnie Yen: The Americans and Hong Kongers have different ways of
handling matters. In Hong Kong, perhaps someone look for you in the
morning to shoot a movie. Once you have agreed, shooting would
begin in the afternoon. But in Hollywood, they are very regimental
and rigid about regulations. A script could take two, three years
of discussions before they start shooting. When Zhang Yimou thought
of getting me to do Hero, I was in United States of America. He had
to send an English version of the script to my manager. Only after
he had read it and given his approval before I could be handed a
copy of the script. Then, I had to request for another copy of the
script from the production. After going through it, I thought it
was a great movie and decided to participate in the project. My
thoughts have matured in the recent years, and I exercise extra
caution before accepting any works in USA. They are still a society
dominated by their own race, and it's difficult to come across a
script tailored to a Chinese actor. So, while I often receive film
offers, they are mostly secondary or even inconsequential roles,
most of which I have rejected.
Are there any specific scripts that you would not accept?
Donnie Yen: I do not mind villainous roles but I would never act as
a "walking dog" (traitor). I am a Chinese, and my heart lies with
China. I had been approached to act in Tomb Raider 2 as a Chinese
villain. After reading the script, I turned them down, for that
role tarnishes the image of the Chinese. They had no choice but to
look for someone else. (It subsequently went to Hong Kong actor
Simon Yam.)
