Donnie Yen on changing scripts due to asian stereotypes in John Wick 4

• Donnie Yen criticised the ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ script for including Asian stereotypes.
• According to sources the actor told a magazine that he called out the ‘John Wick.
• Chad Stahelski, the director listened to Yen’s criticism and agreed to change the character.

Donnie Yen criticised the ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ script for including Asian stereotypes, which resulted in changes to his character’s name and appearance in the film.

Donnie Yen will make his ‘John Wick’ debut as Caine, a blind assassin caught between his ties to the villainous High Table and his friendship with Keanu Reeves’ eponymous killer in the upcoming fourth installment.

It turns out that Yen’s character was not always known as Caine. According to sources the actor told a magazine that he called out the ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ script for including Asian stereotypes, which resulted in changes to his character’s name and appearance in the film.

“Why does he always have to be called Shang or Chang? Why can’t he have a normal name? Why do you have to be so generic? Then the wardrobe again — oh, mandarin collars. Why is everything so generic? This is a ‘John Wick’ movie. Everybody’s supposed to be cool and fashionable. Why can’t he look cool and fashionable?”

Chad Stahelski, the director of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4,’ listened to Yen’s criticism and agreed to change the character. Yen, who was able to redesign the character as a tribute to Bruce Lee, said he had “a very respectful experience working on ‘John Wick,'”adding, “Overall, I enjoyed making the film.”

It wasn’t the first time Yen was involved in de-stereotyping a Hollywood blockbuster. The script for Yen’s role as the blind warrior Chirrut Imwe in Disney’s ‘Star Wars‘ prequel film ‘Rogue One’ positioned the character as a stereotypical martial artist.

“One thing I pointed out is he was a stereotype. Typical master. Doesn’t smile,” Yen stated. The actor voiced his concerns to the ‘Rogue One’ production team, who responded by rewriting the script to give Chirrut more comedic beats. During filming, Yen was even given opportunities to improvise jokes.

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