Donnie Yen and Wilson Yip Withdraw from “Ip Man 3”
In April of last year, it was announced that Donnie Yen (甄子丹) would be reprising his role as the titular character in Ip Man 3 <葉問 3>, leading to the heightened anticipation of many fans. However, a Hong Kong magazine recently reported that a dispute had risen between producer Raymond Wong (黃百鳴) and director Wilson Yip (葉偉信), and that Raymond wanted his son, Edmond Wong (黃子桓), to helm the movie instead. In order to show support for the director, Donnie decided to back out of Ip Man 3, insisting that he would not act if Wilson did not direct.
At the beginning of the year, Raymond announced that Pegasus Motion Pictures had spent 150 million RMB in order to bring back the dream duo of Donnie and Wilson. He also indicated that filming for Ip Man 3 was slated to begin in Hangzhou in July. Moreover, the movie was planned to be released in 3D.
However, the lack of news sparked concern among fans and the media. It was soon discovered that Ip Man 3 was facing funding problems, which stemmed from the hesitance of mainland Chinese companies to invest in projects that might not bring a satisfactory return at the box office. Their unwillingness to invest has been exacerbated by box office flops like Magic to Win <開心魔法>, which was produced by Raymond, and the recent Saving General Yang <忠烈楊家將>.
Despite the limited funds, Raymond felt that the cast and crew should commence filming. Wilson suggested that they cut production costs, although he was worried about the effect that this would have on the movie’s quality and 3D special effects. To Wilson, it would be better to not film, rather than risk damaging the series’ reputation due to lack of funds. In the end, Raymond decided to replace Wilson with his son, Edmond, and to shoot Ip Man 3 in regular 2D.
In response to this decision, Donnie announced that he was withdrawing alongside Wilson. The two share a deep friendship, which started when they first collaborated on the 2005 movie SPL: Sha Po Lang <殺破狼>. Since then, they have worked together on four more films, including the first two installments of the highly successful Ip Man series. Many say they are a golden pair, destined to work together, and that a success for one is a success for the other.
When asked about his take on Ip Man 3, Wilson responded that he has not yet made a decision: “I’m still in the middle of discussing the details, because I can make a decision only when I see if there are new factors included.” Donnie showed his support for Wilson, saying, “I’m waiting for Wilson to be ready!”
According to insiders, Donnie and Wilson’s filming schedules are packed for the rest of the year, making it unlikely that they will have time to start shooting Ip Man 3 in July. Wilson is set to begin filming Zhong Kui <鍾馗>, whereas Donnie will go from the set of The Iceman Cometh <3D冰封俠> directly to that of Teddy Chan’s (陳德森) One Person’s Martial Arts Circle <一個人的武林>.
In response to possible scheduling conflicts, Raymond’s daughter, Alvina, responded, “We are a listed company, and we signed a contract with the investors. No matter who is in the cast, we will start filming.”
Source: QQ.com
This article is written by Joanna for JayneStars.com.
I’m truly disappointed to hear that Donnie won’t appear in “Ip Man 3”, especially since they had announced Bruce Lee’s story arc would be covered.
If filming for the movie proceeds, wonder who they will replace Donnie with? Vincent Zhao??
Since Vincent ended up playing famous kung fu figures made popular by other martial arts actors throughout the 1990s, that’s highly likely.
DooK,
Aside from Donnie, Vincent Zhao has the martial arts skill and recognition. However, given Vincent and Donnie’s past disagreement, Vincent may not agree to the role.
That’s a good point.
Hi, Jayne
How are you? What source did you use to find out this news? You have any contact information? I am about to play “Kiss and Make Up” and contact all parties concerning this announcement. They need to fix this issue NOW! Raymond should know better. Donnie doesn’t do anything half-way even if he is working with a limited budget. What? You are going to try and replace the Dynamic Duo! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Leave it alone! It’s rare in the industry when you have a partnership like Donnie’s and Wilson’s that successful works. On the flip side, now maybe he will have time to do Crouching Tiger when he accepts the role. But, Donnie and Wilson need to do Ip Man 3 or Raymond is going to find it hard to get support ever again for his films.
@AnitaM: The source is displayed clearly right at the bottom of the article.
please mr.yen continue the ip man trilogy you are one of my favorites martial arts actor please reconsider
It’s really too bad that fans of the franchise are seemingly not even a consideration…
I’m glad Donnie and Wilson really took/take time thinking this over. I’m honestly tired of all new Yip Man productions on the rise.
Btw Jayne, is the Donnie Yen/Teddy Chen movie going to be a period or a contemporary action movie?
DooK,
I’m not sure about the details of Teddy Chen’s new movie, but the title suggests that it’s a period film.
No!!!!!! I have been anticipating so long! Donnie Yen has always been my favorite Ip Man. In happy that he’s supporting his friend though
raymond lam and his daugther alvina are not smart people, raymond does not see the special working relationship that donnie and wilson has that lead to success, his daugther alvina is even more of a moron than her dad, she said, “we are a listed company”.. but all monies/funds of the company doesn’t belong to her family, “we signed a contact with the investors” she and investors know nothing much about filming ip man, they were considered lucky to have donnie and raymond ,” no matter who is in the cast, we will start filming”.. must be talking about donnie here, she and her dad can start preparing to act in the next ip man series, her bro edmond can do the directing, can’t people who are rich, arrogant and foolish
raymond lam and his daughter alvina are not smart people, raymond does not see the special working relationship that donnie and wilson has that lead to sucess
his daugther alvina is even more of a moron than her dad, she said, “we are a listed company”… but all monies/funds of the company doesn’t belong to her family, “we signed a contact with the investors”… she and the investors know nothing about filming ip man, they are considered lucky to have donnie and wilson, “no matter who is in the cast, we will start filming”… must be talking about donnie here, she and her dad can start preparing to act in the next ip man show, her brother edmond can do the directing
can’t stand people who are rich, arrogant and foolish
raymond lam?
Its raymond wong
who will replace donnie?
What’s the point of an Ip Man movie if its not Donnie Yen as Ip Man! Seriously, who plays this character better than Donnie himself?
YAYYYY
Jet Li = Wong Fei Hong
Donnie Yen = Ip Man
You don’t change things like that … Raymond Wong isn’t an idiot. He’ll make it work.
Well, TBH, the 2nd Ip Man movie was very bad.
I loved the first one, which was very good, but the second was just a huge ‘meh’, especially because of the ridiculous villains, which seemed to come straight out of a poor 1-dimensional comic book.
Then Wong Kar Wai and Tony Leung made their Ip Man movie, which pretty much made the Wilson Yip/Donnie Yen movies look like they were made for TV. Amazing cinematography, better fight choreography, amazing soundtrack, and obviously far better acting and a more mature story.
Can’t say I’m all that upset about a 3rd Donnie Yen Ip Man movie not happening.
Meh, the fight scenes in WKW’s movie was the typical Yuen Woo Ping (who hasn’t impressed me since Danny The Dog) choreography combined with that weird style of camerawork and editing of WKW. Sammo’s choreography was far more better.
Vincent Zhao is great choice but due to his disagreement with Donnie..can’t see it happening
But this news is true? If so, I’d say that Raymond Wong is just trying to ruin everything that could be a great movie in the world. But right now he had the imagination to work his own son? Come on, leave it alone for now, there will be many other movies. As regards Miss Alvina, do not imagine that negative results as can be achieved by inserting the actors that she prefers not the great Donnie Yen. For example, the film IP MAN 3: THE LEGEND IS BORN, has not had great success as the film Ip Man interpreatati by Donnie Yen, the real story has a contemporary interpretation Donnie and the public wants him to star in 3, and in 3D . In Italy they did not know the film Donnie Yen and I was the one to disclose them. My friends when they saw Ip Man Ip Man 2 and The Leggend were very fascinated, but also throughout the rest of my nation. Please communicate with Mr. Raymond Wong and Wilson Yip to agree soon for the good of us Fan of Ip Man and Donnie Yen, but also for the good of their directors and producers. You do not want you to criticize from halfway around the world? Come on .. We start shooting as soon as possible with Ip Man 3 3D, which nowadays there is so much work.