A Man of Action@Art

Over the past 26 years, Donnie Yen, 46, has developed a dedicated following in Asia for his martial arts skills. But in big-budget movies, he often played in the shadow of established Asian stars like Jet Li and Jackie Chan. Jet Li, left, and Donnie Yen in "Hero," directed by Zhang Yimou.

Photo: Miramax Films

But with "Painted Skin" and "Ip Man," left, two Asian-box-office successes in 2008, Mr. Yen's star is finally rising.

Photo: Mandarin Films

"Donnie is the 'it' action person right now,"' said Peter Ho-Sun Chan, a producer and director who cast Mr. Yen in "Bodyguards & Assassins. " The big-budget period action film is set for release in Asia in December and about six months later in Europe and North America.

Photo: Mu Xing

"Now all the producers are calling me and I'm having films lining up all the way to 2012," Mr. Yen said in a recent interview. "It's beginning to sink in that after 26 years in the industry I'm finally having my break."

Photo: Mu Xing

Despite his growing success, Mr. Yen is realistic about the type of films he will potentially be offered. "I don't think you're going to see me in a film without action because I don't think investors are going to put their money in such a film. That's not what the audience wants to see me in," he said.

Photo: Bruce Talamon/New Line Cinema

And as a veteran action star, he's also aware the career clock is already ticking. "I've actually given myself a retiring deadline for acting of 50," he said. "I want to push myself to the limit, but I don't want to be hanging around."

Photo: Mu Xing

@Source from: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/08/19/arts/0819-donnie_index.html