Hong Kong Action Star Donnie Yen Rumored For ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ Role
With production underway onStar Wars: Rogue One, you may bet we’re going to start getting more news about the firstStar Wars Anthologyfilm very soon, maybe even with some official announcements at Comic-Con this week.
But in the meantime, a new rumor has surfaced about casting for the next installment of the new trilogy that kicks off withStar Wars: The Force Awakensthis winter. Reportedly Hong Kong action starDonnie Yen(Ip Man) has landed a role inStar Wars: Episode VIII, continuing Hollywood’s trend of inserting a famous Asian actor or actress into their biggest blockbusters for more international appeal at the box office.
However, considering the source and what we know about bothRogue Oneand the forthcomingEpisode VIII, we’re not sure if the details of this particular rumor are true. Find out more about Donnie Yen inStar Warsafter the jump, but beware of potential spoilers!
First of all, the report comes fromHong Kong tabloid Apple Daily, which is already a big red flag. you may count on one hand the number of times a tabloid got any legitimate movie news correct. Second of all, the report says Yen will be playing aJediand will be shooting scenes withHarrison Fordas early as next month.
Since we don’t definitively know the status of the Jedi inStar Wars: The Force Awakens, there’s no way to know if it makes sense for Yen to play a Jedi inEpisode VIII. However, logistically, hearing that Yen will be shooting scenes with Harrison Ford next month doesn’t make any sense, mostly becauseEpisode VIIIisn’t anywhere near beginning production yet.
ButTwitch(who brought this tabloid report to our attention) does add that they had heardStar Wars: Rogue OnedirectorGareth Edwardswere looking at a number of Chinese actors for a role in the spin-off. And considering that film just started shooting last week, that would make more sense.
Other names in consideration for the role supposedly includeJet Li, Stephen Chow, Tony Leung, Chiu Wai, Daniel Wu, Wang LeehomandChang Chen. Those are all similar action star names, but again, it wouldn’t be hard make this rumor more interesting by having those names handy. Of course, there aren’t supposed to be any Jedi inStar Wars: Rogue One, so if Yen or any of these other Asian stars do end up with a role, don’t count on any of them wielding a lightsaber.
Keep in mind that this is nothing more than a rumor right now, and we can probably safely say that Yen won’t have a role inEpisode VIIIas a Jedi. But there’s a better chance that he might have a role inStar Wars: Rogue One. We’ll have to wait and see what happens as the Star Wars universe continues to expand.
