John Wick: Chapter 4 Star Donnie Yen said he requested to change his character’s name in the film due to stereotyping.
During an interview with GQ, the actor said, “The name was Shang or Chang,” Yen said of his John Wick character. Why is it always called Shang or Chang? Why can’t it have a common name? Why do you need to be so common?
Then the wardrobe again – oh, mandarin collar. Why is everything so common? This is a John Wick movie.
Everyone should be cool and fashionable. Why can’t he look cool and fashionable?”
Filmmaker Chad Stahelski accepted the actor’s concerns.
Before that, the IP Man The star also faced Asian stereotype tropes when Disney tapped the actor to write an essay for Chert IMwe in 2016. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
The 59-year-old said the script played a stereotypical martial arts fighter.
“One thing I noticed is that he was a stereotype. Typical master. Doesn’t smile.”