Showing posts with label DONNIE YEN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DONNIE YEN. Show all posts

Sunday 3 October 2021

ROGUE ONE: STORMTROOPERS? WHAT STORMTROOPERS?


A Jedi he is not. Nonetheless, Jedha city's protectorate Chirrut Imwe uses all the natural abilities available to him in proving himself a lethal combatant against a squad of arrogant and soon out of their fighting depth Imperial Stormtroopers in one of the highlight physical conflict scenes of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Saturday 13 July 2019

ROGUE ONE: WITH THE FORCE TO GUIDE US!


A shot which surfaced back in March 2017 - in their crash-landed U-wing vessel on Eadu, the enigmatic Force worshipper Chirrut Imwe channels his faith to the universal energy field, watched by an intrigued Jyn Erso, in a sadly deleted character moment from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Thursday 15 February 2018

ROGUE ONE: FIGHTING DIRTY!


Right from the film's earliest promotion online and at one of the Star Wars Celebration events back in 2015, it was clear that Rogue One - A Star Wars Story was going to be a tough and gritty action-adventure lead-in to the original 1977 movie that started it all. And, from this early cast publicity shoot (by LUCASFILM UK's in-house Chief Photographer, Brit talent Jonathan Olley) taken at the filming location of Cardington Hangar, London, our main heroes (led by Felicity Jones ultimately noble Jyn Erso), minus the being kept under wraps K-2SO, were also going to look a lot grubbier from their resultant conflicts!









This image from the shoot would be held back until the film's release.

Intriguingly, no solo image of the character of Bodhi Rook, as played by the inimitable Riz Ahmed, seems to have been released from that early posed location shoot taken by Olley. Interestingly, the character of Bodhi Rook had a different name, character personality, background (including a family) and motivations leading up to the start of filming on Gareth Edward's vision of Rogue One. Things later changed considerably - the character becoming the newly christened 'Bodhi Rook' during the film's reshoots phase, of which Ahmed's role was further expanded and integrated within the plot (most notably linked to Jedha). The closest we can find image-wise to that original look for Ahmed's early character interpretation are these shots below (photographer/s unknown).



Wednesday 19 April 2017

ROGUE ONE: SENSING THE DARK SIDE...


He may not be a Jedi, but Chirrut Imwe's sense of the Force and its shifting between light and dark aspects is unnervingly accurate, as seen on Eadu, when he soon notes the building darkness surrounding Cassian Andor and his "mission" linked to Galen Erso.

A tense moment from ROGUE ONE, and another great character moment for Donnie Yen.

Friday 23 December 2016

ROGUE ONE: LATEST NEWS AND FOOTAGE (DECEMBER - PART 7)

Gareth Edwards and cast attend the stylish ROGUE ONE premiere in China. Image: STARWARS.COM.

Rounding out the year with more ROGUE ONE goodness!

Clips/footage:

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Locations" Featurette - YouTube

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Official Chinese Trailer - YouTube


STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS China Premiere - Donnie Yen Interview (2015) - YouTube


Alan Tudyk: K-2SO Almost Had A Cockney Accent @ TeamCoco.com


Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco @ TeamCoco.com


Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | Diego Luna exclusive interview - YouTube

This Dramatic New Trailer For Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Features 46 Shots That Didn't Make The Film


Miss Jones and friend in Tokyo for its premiere.

Online articles:


Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Is All About the Death Star Plans, Which Are Terrible | WIRED


Did Rogue One Make a Mistake By Leaving Out Star Wars's Opening Crawl? | Vanity Fair


'Rogue One' Is Actually a World War II Movie

'Rogue One': How Admiral Raddus was created - Business Insider

Rogue One Droid K-2SO Is Taking the Star Wars World By Storm | TIME

You’ll Never Guess Which Actor Had a Sneaky Rogue One Cameo | Vanity Fair

Rogue One Reveals Rebel Military Tactics Need Some Work | WIRED

How The Rogue One Scripts Were Different From The Movie


https://www.comicbookmovie.com/sci-fi/star_wars/spoilers-rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-10-mind-blowing-cameos-a147637

Three High Resolution Images Of Star Wars Rebels Cameos In Rogue One - Jedi News

Tuesday 13 December 2016

ROGUE ONE: THE AFICIONADO VERDICT

It is a period of civil war! The heroes of ROGUE ONE in this lovely IMAX character art poster.

BEWARE: MILD SPOILERS!

With thanks to DISNEY UK, STAR WARS AFICIONADO attended tonight's London press screening of ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. To say that the film is the ultimate tribute to the original 1977 adventure created by George Lucas would be a massive understatement, so much so that Gareth Edwards blockbuster literally leads into those events above Tatooine that we were first astonished by all those years ago. ROGUE ONE is thick with further tributes, surprises, in-jokes, discarded material from the Lucasfilm Archives brought to life, and cameos that will have fans delighted and thoroughly screaming to the rooftops with joy. Praise to the behind the scenes team for doing a very good job of bridging the prequel and classic sagas together in that respect. But as for the story and characters, well... with a critical cap on, things feels a little underdeveloped in places (possibly due to too many cooks, as that old saying goes) and there are times when I felt that the full potential of the characters weren't as fully tapped as they should have been. Nonetheless, all of the cast of ROGUE ONE are uniformly excellent and bring their dedication to the screen. Felicity Jones' Jyn Erso is a totally different character to Rey but no less brave, gusty, heroic and inspiring. Special kudos to Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen as Jedha's odd couple heroes Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus, and Ben Mendehlson, who should have been the sole villain through the entire film, as the ambitious Krennic.

Working inside a production designed universe far better than the one devised for THE FORCE AWAKENS, Gareth Edwards direction is singular, strong, and a worthy counterforce in stye and storytelling to J.J. Abrams upbeat and driving emotion of EPISODE VII, giving us a genuinely interesting and grittier, more shades of grey adventure set in the timeframe of the saga whose realms are devoid of freedom- aided by some first rate hand-held cinematography. In fact, all of the original plot material on the periphery of, or building up to, the Death Star plans was where I enjoyed the film the most - the opening scenes in Iceland and the sequences on the Force religion world of Jedha proving particularly interesting and ripe for further exploration. It's with the Battle of Scarif, however, in the film's last act, where its clear that some major, and I do mean major, reworking was done (James Bond film editor Stuart Baird's involvement and visual style is noticeable)- with sequences from the ground battle previously seen in the trailers and behind the scenes footage clearly removed and much-missed in favour of a mostly all-new action sequence- I think it unlikely that Edwards original rough cut of ROGUE ONE will ever see the light of day now that its locked up in the Lucasfilm vaults- a shame, really, as it would have been interesting to compare that version to what is ultimately being seen on screen now. We can only assume that it was perhaps just too gritty for Disney's tastes.

Finally, effects-wise, John Knoll and his ILM team are to be congratulated for the incredible work they've pulled off here, not just with the hyperkinetic space battle (everything but the kitchen sink is in there) and action work, but also with their mind boggling attention to detail in bringing back to life a certain popular Grand Moff with such astonishing CGI results that go far beyond anything first attempted with EPISODE I's gangly Gungans back in 1995-1999. And as for that little old Sith Lord Darth Vader? His scenes, judiciously placed, prove well worth the wait and the ticket price alone...

AFICIONADO RATING: An intriguing first experiment/launcher of the standalone series, ROGUE ONE, with its different tone shadings of war and subtle loss, though also packed with eye-candy nostalgia, will surely be a quick-fire, worldwide box office hit, becoming even more appreciated and beloved by fans over time, as its part within the modern STAR WARS life cycle is cemented. 4 out of 5.

With thanks to DISNEY UK.

In London, the ROGUE ONE cast with Edwards and Kennedy at last night's UK wide fan premiere screenings. Image: Stuart C.Wilson/Getty Images for DISNEY UK.

Other UK/US reviews:

Felicity Jones dazzles in elegant grey gown at Rogue One A Star Wars Story screening | Daily Mail Online
Rogue One A Star Wars Story REVIEWED | ShortList Magazine
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Review | Movie - Empire
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story review: The evil Empire is back with a vengeance
‘Rogue One’ Review: At Last, a ‘Star Wars’ Movie for Grown-ups | Variety
LA Times - 'Rogue One' adds an uneven but thrilling wrinkle to the mythology of 'Star Wars'
Editors React: Is Rogue One: A Star Wars Story a worthy addition to the franchise? | Blastr

The cast launch the film for UK fans. Image: DISNEY UK.

Other footage:

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Production Designers Neil Lamont & Doug Chiang Interview - YouTube

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 51 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 50 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 49 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 48 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 47 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 46 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 45 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 44 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 43 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 42 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 41 - YouTube

Rogue One Cast Explains Star Wars Characters | Vanity Fair - YouTube
Rogue One Stars Answer the Web's Most Searched Questions | WIRED - YouTube
Producer Kathleen Kennedy UK Premiere Interview - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - YouTube
Donnie Yen UK Premiere Interview - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - YouTube
Ben Mendelsohn UK Premiere Interview - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - YouTube
Felicity Jones UK Premiere Interview - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - YouTube
Rogue One Full Cast Interview - YouTube
Diego Luna UK Premiere Interview - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - YouTube
Felicity Jones press conference Mexico City Star Wars Rogue One - YouTube

Sunday 11 December 2016

ROGUE ONE: LATEST NEWS & FOOTAGE (DECEMBER - PART 5)

The ROGUE ONE cast in Los Angeles for premiere night. Image REUTERS.

Yesterday's coverage of the ROGUE ONE American premiere:

Starts at around the 56 minute mark: Live From The Rogue One Red Carpet - YouTube

Highlights From Rogue One A Star Wars Story Red Carpet World Premiere - YouTube
'Rogue One' Premiere Excites Star Wars Fans Ahead of Wide Release - YouTube
'Star Wars' enters 'grittier' new chapter with 'Rogue One' premiere | Reuters
Behold the X-wing fighter parked at Hollywood's 'Rogue One' premiere
‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Thrills Audience at World Premiere | Variety
Excitement builds as first impressions of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story are VERY positive | Daily Mail Online
The Cast and Crew of "Rogue One - A Star Wars Story" - Rogue One Premiere - See the Photos from the New Star Wars film - EW.com
'Rogue One' Premiere Night Highlights - YouTube

Donnie Yen for a LUCASFILM press interview.

LUCASFILM press materials

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy Interview - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Felicity Jones "Jyn" Behind the Scenes Movie interview - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Riz Ahmed "Bodhi" Behind the Scenes Movie interview - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Diego Luna "Cassian" Behind the Scenes Movie interview - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Director Gareth Edwards Behind the Scenes Movie interview - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Creature Effects Supervisor Neal Scanlan Movie Interview - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Alan Tudyk "K-2SO" Behind the scenes Movie interview - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Ben Mendelsohn "Krennic" Behind the Scenes Movie interview - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Forest Whitaker "Saw Gererra" Behind the Scenes Movie interview - YouTube
Rogue One "Galen Erso" On Set Interview - Mads Mikkelsen - YouTube

Cast promo artwork.

Other interview material/featurettes:

Rogue One - 5 Days Trailer ( NEW FOOTAGE ) - YouTube

K-2SO Featurette NEW FOOTAGE - Rogue One A Star Wars Story Red Carpet World Premiere - YouTube

Paradise Featurette New Footage - Rogue One A Star Wars Story Red Carpet World Premiere - YouTube

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - Tokio Event | ROUGH CUT (2016) - YouTube

ROGUE ONE Japan Premiere - Felicity Jones, Diego Luna & Gareth Edwards - YouTube

'Rogue One' - Meet the droids and creatures - Star Wars - Meet the Creatures and Droids in Rogue One - EW.com

Rajeev Masand interview with Rogue One director Gareth Edwards - YouTube

Wednesday 7 December 2016

ROGUE ONE: NEWS AND FOOTAGE (DECEMBER - PART 3)


Latest from that galaxy far, far away....

INTERNATIONAL TRAILER 4: ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY - Official International Trailer #4 (2016) Sci-Fi Movie HD - YouTube

Introducing Jyn Erso - YouTube

TV SPOTS:

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY TV Spot #24 - Believe (2016) Sci-Fi Movie HD - YouTube
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY TV Spot #25 (2016) Sci-Fi Movie HD - YouTube
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY TV Spot #26 (2016) Sci-Fi Movie HD - YouTube
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY TV Spot #27 (2016) Sci-Fi Movie HD - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 28 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 29 - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story TV Spot 31 - YouTube

Other footage:

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Introducing Jyn Erso" Featurette - YouTube
NEW Rogue One: A Star Wars Story clip - YouTube

Various interviews:

STAR WARS ROGUE ONE Interviews (Felicity, Diego, Gareth, Mads, Donnie Yen, and more) - YouTube
Felicity Jones (³Jyn²) interview for STAR WARS ROGUE ONE - YouTube
How they kept the 'Rogue One: A Star Wars' script a secret - YouTube
Felicity Jones Talks Filming "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" | E! Live from the Red Carpet - YouTube
Diego Luna Relives Landing "Dream" "Star Wars" Role | E! Live from the Red Carpet - YouTube
Diego Luna Talks 'Star Wars' and Throwback Photos - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - Gareth Edwards on the Fall of the Jedi - YouTube
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | Ben Mendelsohn Interview - YouTube
Donnie Yen (³Chirrut²)(IP Man) Interview for STAR WARS ROGUE ONE - YouTube

Online articles:

Movie preview: KOOL TV: A REBELLION BUILT ON 'HOPE'! 'ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY' DEBUTS

Rogue One: The Diego Luna Interview
Rogue One stars react to weirdness of having their own action figures | EW.com
EXCLUSIVE: Star Wars VFX Legend John Knoll Explains Darth Vader Costume Changes in Rogue One

Monday 21 November 2016

ROGUE ONE: INTRODUCING CHIRRUT AND BAZE

The latest unique STAR WARS pairing: Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) and Baze Malbus (Jiang Weng) on Scarif, in ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. Images: Lucasfilm/Disney.

They're an unlikely duo with opposing viewpoints about the nature of the Force in a time of chaos created by the Empire. Nonetheless, blind spiritual warrior Chirrut Imwe and revenge-fuelled mercenary Baze Malbus are friends and blood brothers to the end in the battle to steal the Death Star plans on the beach world of Scarif, showing their loyalty and sometimes humorous banter during many do or die scenes, including a face off against an AT-ACT Walker no less, in ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, out in UK cinemas this December 15th, 2016.

NEW TV SPOTS: 

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY TV Spot #9 - Protect (2016) Sci-Fi Movie HD - YouTube

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Jyn & Cassian" Extended TV Spot - YouTube

Keeping his senses heightened on Scarif.
In action against a Stormtrooper squad on Jedha.
Part of a rainy night time raid on the Empire.
A dry sardonic wit and tough warfare instincts are a fused part of Baze Malbus's character.
On Yavin IV, Chirrut and Baze's Rebel squad prepares for war on Scarif.
In heavy duty battle on Scarif.

CELEBRATION 2016 character description for Chirrut and Baze:

Original costume for Chirrut from CELEBRATION 2016.

Deeply spiritual, Chirrut Imwe believes all living things are connected though the Force. His sightless eyes do not prevent him from being a highly skilled warrior. Though he lacks Force abilities, this warrior monk has rigorously honed his body through intense physical and mental discipline.


Original costume for Baze.

The harsh reality of his Imperial-occupied home world has hardened Baze Malbus into a pragmatic solider and a crack shot with his heavy repeater cannon. Baze has a bravado that provides a marked contrast to the spiritual centeredness of his best friend and moral compass, Chirrut Imwe.

Sunday 6 November 2016

ROGUE ONE: NEW BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGES (NOVEMBER 2016)

ROGUE ONE Director Gareth Edwards gets down and dirty for the film's gritty camera angles. Images: DISNEY UK/LUCASFILM.

ROGUE ONE fans enjoyed a great day today, what with a new TV spot and these fresh behind the scenes images released by DISNEY UK. Enjoy!

New TV spot: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Together" TV Spot - YouTube

New Rebel hero Pao takes aim at Pinewood.
STAR WARS favourite Warwick Davis and friends at the Pinewood recreation of Jedha.
On location in Iceland with a Death Trooper.
The superb high definition front projection system used at Pinewood for the jump to Hyperspace.
Gareth Edwards prepares to film the next action scene involving the Walkers.
War comes to the Maldives!
Jiang Wen and the camera crew at Pinewood.
Donnie Yen films an explosive close-up!

And two great new online banners arrived on the official STAR WARS FACEBOOK page...




Friday 14 October 2016

ROGUE ONE: IT IS A PERIOD OF CIVIL WAR...

The ominous sight of the Death Star above the clouds of Scarif.

Accompanying yesterday's stunning trailer, LUCASFILM/DISNEY UK have delivered some great new imagery for ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, which STAR WARS AFICIONADO is proud to showcase.

The "Joan of Ark" figure of ROGUE ONE: Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones).
On Jedha, Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) surveys his fallen enemy.
Jyn sees first hand the destruction wrought by the Death Star's power, and its soon legacy.
K-2SO capably mans the U-wing fighter controls.
Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) and the Rebel Alliance cells gather to discuss the dire situation.
The massive Imperial complex on Scarif is revealed.
With X-wing cover support, a U-Wing fighter makes ready to land on Scarif.
The shoreline battle with the AT-ATC Walkers continues.
X-wing fighters attack the Imperial Star Destroyer docking ring above Scarif.
The original Darth Vader returns (right down to the red eyes!). Is this the beginning, or the brutal end, of his business with Director Krennic?
The Death Star in space, now nearing full activation and a new custodian.