'Blade 2' begins where the original film left off; with Blade (Wesley Snipes) scouring the earth for vampires, determined to rid the world of the bloodsuckers once and for all. To accomplish this, Blade forms an uneasy alliance with a group of elite vampires known as the Blood Pack, which features among its members, Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen, who assists Blade in destroying a race of super vampires known as the Reapers. Though largely unknown to mainstream North American audiences, Yen is generating the same sort of buzz that heralded the arrivals of such martial arts superstars as Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Known as much for his critically acclaimed fight choreography as his riveting on-screen performances, Yen received his most exposure when his classic 1993 film 'Iron Monkey' was re-released last year, here in the US, to wide acclaim. A veteran of more than thirty films in the Hong Kong action-thriller genre, the thirty eight year old, Canton born Yen was raised in Boston, where he spent his teenage years, where his mother, a Tai Chi master, owned a martial arts studio. After years of training, Yen made the acquaintance of legendary director and action choreographer Yuen-Wo Ping ('The Matrix,' 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon') who became Yen’s mentor, and schooled Yen in the art of creating sensational movie fight sequences. Working alongside other stars such as Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh, Yen was a part of some of the most successful action films in Hong Kong film history.

Now Yen’s in America and ready to follow the example left by Chan, Li, and Chow Yun-Fat. Armed with a three picture deal with Miramax, and the admiration of such superstars as Wesley Snipes, Yen seems to be poised for stardom. Yen’s first North American film appearance was in 'Highlander: Endgame,' where he also served as fight choreographer, as he did on 'Blade 2,' and Yen is currently developing a TV series with John Woo as well as exploring writing and directing opportunities in Hollywood. Talking with Yen, one gets the feeling that stardom is not that important to him. It’s the work that counts. Yen seems much more proud, and interested, about the behind the scenes aspects of film-making, rather than being famous in America. Donnie Yen will keep making movies, no matter what, for the same audience that has followed his career over twenty plus years. It remains to be seen whether Yen will be the next big thing, but one thing’s certain: Donnie Yen is a secret that can’t be kept any longer.

UPBEAT How did you land the role in 'Blade 2?'
Donnie Yen "Originally, I was just the fight choreographer. You know, they were looking for that 'Matrix' type look and feel for the fights in the film. So my character, Snowman, wasn’t even in the script. But then I met with Guillermo ('Blade 2' director Guillermo del Toro) and found out that he and Wesley Snipes had seen my tapes and they were big fans. They were determined to have me in the movie, so one day Guillermo said, 'You’ll play Snowman' and that was it. Then I met Wesley and found out that he knew all about me and had seen all of my films."

UPBEAT Who is Snowman?
Donnie Yen "My character is an elite vampire, part of an elite group of seven vampires known as the Blood Pack. As for my character, well, he’s a skilled vampire assassin. My role was really somewhat of a cameo that was enlarged during filming. I was spending so much time doing the choreography, it was almost like the role was secondary. So, when I heard I was playing a character named Snowman, I got the script and I was expecting to look like a Snowman, you know, Mr. Freeze, something like that. As it turns out, I don’t look anything like a Snowman. I’m covered in black and I just look like this vampire killer. I asked them, I said, 'Why is he called Snowman?' and they told me that it was because 'he’s cold as ice.' The Snowman has ice in his veins."

UPBEAT You spent a lot of time working with Wesley Snipes. I know Hollywood movie stars always want to look good, so what was it like working with Wesley?
Donnie Yen "That’s right. If you make a movie star look bad, look like he can’t fight, they get rid of you (laughs), but Wesley was the perfect actor to work with because he is a true martial artist. Lots of Hollywood actors say they know martial arts but they’re lying. Wesley really 'got it.' He knew my films which was flattering and more importantly, he’s really interested in the Asian culture, and incorporating those elements into his fights. We’d do a scene and if he wasn’t happy, he’d tell the director to do another take. He’s a very physical actor too, very passionate in terms of the fighting, and demanding of himself. Wesley insists on having the flavor and philosophy in the fight sequences. And he’s a very humble man, which I admire."

UPBEAT It seems like a lot of Hollywood action films are looking to incorporate “the Hong Kong model” so to speak. What do they want from you?
Donnie Yen "Yes, they all want the Hong Kong look now, especially after the success of 'The Matrix.' As a choreographer working on a Hollywood movie, I have to work very closely with the director and the cinematographer and the actors so they understand exactly how they’re supposed to move. It takes a lot of time."

UPBEAT 'Blade 2' is a much bigger project than 'Highlander: Endgame,' your first American film?
Donnie Yen "Oh yes, much bigger and better. Better directors, better actors, everything. 'Highlander' was the first picture in my Miramax deal and I sort of did it to get my feet wet. I was also the fight choreographer and there wasn’t much to do. I remember the director calling me like a couple of days before filming, telling me the script was still being written on the spot and they really didn’t know what role I was going to play in the film. Coming out of the Hong Kong film industry you learn to deal with anything though, so it was pretty routine. It was one of those films that Miramax didn’t really pay attention to, they just bought it when it was finished and released it."

UPBEAT The Hong Kong exports, save for 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' haven’t done well at the US box office, but then a film like 'Rush Hour' becomes a blockbuster. Why?
Donnie Yen "I think it all has to do with packaging, and that the studio gives the films a big release. I also think the non-Hong Kong action fans tend to punish films like 'Iron Monkey' when they’re released over here, because they were made a long time ago, and they almost think it’s not a very good movie because it’s not new, until their friends tell them it’s a good movie, even though it was made ten years ago. I think it all has to do with packaging, but 'Iron Monkey' still did pretty well over here, given that it was only in about 1200 theaters."

UPBEAT Tell me about 'Hero,' your next big film with Jet Li?
Donnie Yen "Yeah, the one where I almost lost my eye."

UPBEAT You almost lost your eye?
Donnie Yen "Yes. Jet and I were doing a stunt on a wire, and you know, our films, it’s all man powered. So we were standing on this wire, with swords, and there was about two inches leeway on the wire. Well, Jet lost his balance and his sword accidentally tipped forward and cut into my eye. It’s about the third time I’ve almost lost my eye. Everyone was screaming and Jet, he was just terrified. Luckily, I just needed a few stitches and I was back working in no time. Jet was more scared than I was."

UPBEAT Tell us about the story and your character.
Donnie Yen "Well, let me say that this is going to be the most amazing action film you’ve ever seen. Zhang Yimou who made 'Raise the Red Lantern' and has won all kinds of awards, he made the film and they spent three years working on the script. All of the words and actions are beautiful. It’s an epic. It’s set 2000 years ago and it’s about this Chinese Emperor named Chin, who’s about forty, and who’s built this wall of unity around China. The only obstacles in his way are three assassins who are plotting to murder him. So, he sends Jet Li to go out and kill them. I play one of the assassins. My name’s Long Sky, or Silver Spear, and believe me, I’m not easy to kill." UB