Today in ‘Star Wars’ gossip: Meet Han Solo’s new bestie
Meet Donnie Yen. He’s reportedly about to become your new favorite Jedi.
Hong Kong’s Apple Daily stated that Yen has just been cast in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VIII. While the Star Wars overlords have not publicly confirmed this report, no one from that galaxy far, far away has squashed it yet.
As for Yen, he’d fit in perfectly with the movie. While he might not be as well-known state side, he is a HUGE action star overseas. Think, like The Rock, but instead of arching his eyebrow, Yen’s specialty is martial arts. He’s got over 50 acting credits to his name, almost all of them in roles where he’s been putting his knowledge of kickboxing, taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Wushu to good use.
And when he’s not fighting himself, he’s choreographing the fights and winning half a dozen Hong Kong Film Awards in the process. Jet Li and Jackie Chan are big fans of his. It’s about time we followed along, too.
There’s not too much information about Yen’s involvement in Star Wars just yet — but then again, Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in five months and that’s still a big mystery. But, according to sources, Yen will play a Jedi who meets Han Solo, and the two become allies. The more the merrier on the Millennium Falcon, right?
Supposedly, Yen will start shooting for the part next month in London. But, there’s also a thought that Yen won’t be in Episode VIII, but instead the Star Wars anthology film, Rogue One, which is already shooting in London. There’s still nothing official from the Star Wars camp (hey, they’re very busy people), but all of this sounds great. Whether Yen has a role in Episode VIII, or Rogue One, doesn’t matter to us, as long someone gives him a lightsaber.
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