Hong Kong Action Star Donnie Yen to Star in English-Language ‘Noodle Man’ (Exclusive)

One of Hong Kong’s biggest action stars is returning to America for an English-language project.

Donnie Yen, whose credits range from Hero to Ip Man, has signed on to star in Noodle Man, an action feature being produced by Michael Shamberg. Shamberg has produced films ranging from Get Shorty and Gattica, to Contagion and Django Unchained.

Yen will play an ex-cop from China who has all but given up on himself after a botched mission 15 years earlier killed his partner. He finds a new lease on life when the Chinese drug lord responsible walks into his noodle shop in New York’s Chinatown.

Daming Chen, who directed the Chinese version of What Women Want, is helming the project, which will be a U.S.-China co-production. CAA is packaging.

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“What we are doing here is not only very unique, but will hopefully serve as the model of merging the best from East and West,” said Yen. “(Michael) understands the changing climate of the business and is very progressive in his approach.”

“Donnie’s wonderful blend of acting talent and martial arts makes him a unique star,” said Shamberg, who added he hoped to make a movie with global appeal.

Yen just wrapped Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, the hot-button movie which will be simultaneously released next summer in theaters and via Netflix. The English-language sequel also stars Michelle Yeoh.

Yen, whose action film Kung Fu Jungle will premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, has previously done studio work, appearing in New Line’s 2002 vampire action movie Blade 2 and Dimension’s Highlander: Endgame. He is repped by CAA.

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