Donnie Yen Called Out ‘John Wick 4’ and ‘Rogue One’ Asian Stereotypes, Got Scripts Changed: Why Is the Name ‘Always Shang or Chang?’
variety.comZack Sharf Digital News Director Donnie Yen is making his “John Wick” debut in the upcoming fourth installment as Caine, a blind assassin caught between his ties to the villainous High Table and his friendship with Keanu Reeves’ eponymous killer.
It turns out Yen’s character was not originally named Caine. The actor told GQ magazine that he called out the “John Wick: Chapter 4” script for including Asian stereotypes, leading to changes regarding his character’s name and appearance in the film. “The name was Shang or Chang,” Yen said of his “John Wick” character. “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?” “John Wick: Chapter 4” director Chad Stahelski listened to Yen’s criticism and agreed to modify the character.
Read more on variety.com