7 Things to Know About Donnie Yen

The newest installment of the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens, is both an homage to the characters and actors who made the original triology so powerful as well as a breeding ground for the next generation of big stars. For Star Wars XII, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher return as Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Leia while Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, and Daisy Ridley will soon become household names. Now that Disney has a hold of the franchise, the next three films will be huge for everyone involved. Casting for Star Wars XIII is still in the early stages, though Oscar Isaac is signed on to play Poe Dameron once again. It was rumored on Monday that Donnie Yen, a martial arts master and Hong Kong superstar will also be joining Star Wars XIII.

According to a Hong Kong tabloid, Apple Daily, Yen will begin filming in London this summer and will play a yet-to-be-named Jedi. If the casting gossip is true, then the 51 year-old actor will make a huge impression on American audiences. Star Wars XIII isn't his first Hollywood film, but it would certainly be his biggest one to date. Yen has also been said to be attached to the Star Wars spin-off Rogue One which is set to come out in December 2016 while Star Wars XIII won't be in theaters until Memorial Day weekend of 2017.

It sure seems like we're going to see a lot more of David Yen, so here's a few things you should know about the actor:

1. He's A Modern Pioneer Of The Martial Arts Form Wing Chun

It is both a form of fighting and self-defense that focuses on close-range combat. Yip Man, whom Yen plays in the 2008 film Ip Man was Bruce Lee's martia arts master.

2. He Already Knows How To Battle Other-Worldly Beings

Like vampires, for example.

3. He Trained Under Master Wu Bin

Who also happened to coach Jet Li.

4. He Then Played Jet Li's Nemesis In Once Upon a Time in China 2

It was a Wu Bin showdown!

5. He's Also A Talented Director

Legend of the Wolf was his directorial debut.

6. He Does Comedy, Too

Yen co-starred in 2003's Shanghai Knights with Jackie Chan and Owen... and yes, that is Petyr Baelish in the beginning of the clip.

7. He's Also A Classically Trained Pianist

Is there anything Donnie Yen can't do?