Yuen Woo-ping discusses new movie, kung fu cinema legacy

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In early 2026, the wuxia blockbuster "Blades of the Guardians" ignited audiences' enthusiasm with a breathtaking audio-visual experience, blending the timeless spirit of kung fu heroism with hard-hitting, intense action.

Adapted from the popular comic series by Xu Xianzhe, the film is directed by the "world's premier martial arts choreographer" Yuen Woo-ping, a foundational figure in Chinese action cinema for half a century. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he has served as action director on over 50 films including "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Kung Fu Hustle," "The Grandmaster" and "The Matrix" trilogy.

"As my generation gets older, a new one is ready to take over," he told China.org.cn in an exclusive interview. "Sometimes I do wonder: Who's going to carry it forward? Kung fu and wuxia films must be carried on, because they are unique to China. You don't find it anywhere else. It is our responsibility to pass on this legacy of excellence."

"Blades of the Guardians" follows Daoma, the "second most-wanted fugitive," who accepts a mission to escort the "most-wanted fugitive," Zhi Shilang, to Chang'an, capital of the Sui dynasty (581-618). This perilous journey draws multiple factions into conflict across the desert. Daoma, along with Xiaoqi and allies A-Yuya and A-Ni, joins forces with the enigmatic Shu and Yanzi Niang. Together, this unlikely band must outrun relentless pursuers and overcome their own divisions on a mission.

"Blades of the Guardians" brings together a star-studded lineup of four generations of Chinese martial artists and action icons, from Wu Jing, Nicholas Tse, Yosh Yu, Chen Lijun, Cisha, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Max Zhang and Yu Rongguang to the legendary Jet Li.

To capture the true essence of wuxia, the creators insisted on filming practical stunts for all the major action scenes. In order to present the rugged texture of the Western Regions, the crew filmed on location in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with actors enduring harsh conditions such as intense sun and sandstorms.

For Yuen, "Blades of the Guardians" is very different from the films he has made before. "I wanted a tougher core, a harder edge. I wanted to use that tougher energy and style to create a different kind of wuxia cinema," he said

The director also praised actor and executive producer Wu Jing's ideas and involvement, which helped the film resonate more with younger audiences.

The film has grossed more than 1.39 billion yuan in China and received positive feedback from critics and audiences overseas after hitting foreign markets.

Audiences noticed that at the end of the film, in an easter egg scene, a line of dialogue is delivered: "From now on, this belongs to the young people."

"It really does belong to the younger generation now," the 80-year-old filmmaker said. "For people my age, we will keep making films as long as we're able. But it's time to pass the baton."