Donnie Yen plays in the blockbuster 'Star Wars' for the sake of his three children

The martial arts star asked the director to change the script to make his role a blind knight in the American sci-fi action film.

Recently, Donnie Yen appeared at a press conference to introduceblockbusterRogue One: A Star Wars Storyin Hong Kong. Ifeng quoted the star as saying: "When I was invited to play Rogue One, I didn't want to be away from home for 5 months to film in England. I only changed my mind after asking my three children and they eagerly nodded." The encouragement of the children made the actor agree to participate in the big-budget Hollywood project.

Donnie Yen took a photo next to a statue of his character in the "Star Wars" spin-off at a press conference.

In the film, Donnie Yen plays the knight Chirrut Imwe. He proactively suggested that the director change the script for this character from a normal person to a blind person. He said: “I told director Gareth Edwards that if the character Chirrut Imwe was blind, he would be much more interesting. His story would also be more interesting. The director immediately agreed with my suggestion. That is how the character of the blind knight was born.”

Before performing each scene in the film, Donnie Yen often closes his eyes for a moment to practice feeling and transforming into the character. To make his martial arts moves more special, he designed a special stick for the blind as his own weapon.

Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen's appearance in the "Star Wars" spin-off.

During filming, Donnie Yen bonded with his co-star Jiang Wen, who played a weapons expert. “I often told Hollywood producers not to put us in the film just for show. They actually came to Jiang Wen and me because we were suitable for the role, not just to target the Chinese market,” the martial arts star said.

During the 5 months of filming in the US, Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen often talked about work and family whenever they missed home. Donnie Yen shared: “The best thing is that we can laugh together and talk bad about foreigners without being afraid because they don’t understand what we say.”

This is the second collaboration between Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen after the 2011 film Guan Yu.

*Donnie Yen in the trailer "Rouge One: A Star Wars Story"

Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyabout Jyn Erso (played by Felicity Jones)-A strong-willed girl with a passion for fighting the Galactic Empire. She is tasked with stealing the plans for the Empire's Death Star. Accompanying Jyn on her difficult mission are the blind knight Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen), weapons expert Baze Malbus (Jiang Wen), and warrior Cassian Andor (Diego Luna).

According to VNE