Wang Baoqiang (left) and Donnie Yen [Photo/Courtesy of Huayi Bros]

Fans of martial arts movies are in luck. Kung Fu Jungle, directed by Hong Kong director Teddy Chen and starring renowned Chinese martial arts star Donnie Yen and comedian Wang Baoqiang, hit domestic cinemas on Friday. Unlike traditional films in the genre which tend to be period films the action in Kung Fu Jungle takes place against an urban backdrop.

Playing the leading role in martial arts films Ip Man, Seven Swords and 2013's Monkey King, as well as working as the action choreographer on the Hollywood film Blade 2, Yen has earned a name for himself, both domestically and internationally, as a leading martial arts star. Having trained in the martial arts since he was a child, he developed a passion for the genre while growing up. At a press conference for the movie held in Beijing on Thursday, Yen said, "I've watched superseding dynasties of martial arts films over the decades and it hasn't been an easy journey. However, I don't think it will decline, but progress instead. It's one of the most precious genres in Chinese film." He also recalled a phone call he received from Iron Man's Robert Downey Jr., where Downey told him how much he loved Yen's Ip Man and the martial arts genre. "It's a type of film that only Chinese can make. Many Western filmmakers appreciate it and try to add martial arts elements in their films. We Chinese should care more about our own martial arts films," said Yen.

Chen is famous for his film Bodyguards and Assassins, which received numerous nominations and awards at the Hong Kong and Golden Horse film awards. He told press how grateful he was to Yen. "Filmmakers such as Yen brought Chinese martial arts to Westerners while bringing advanced technology back to China." Chen mentioned that at the end Jungle there is a segment that pays tribute to all the Chinese martial arts filmmakers who have or still work in front of and behind the camera.

In an interesting career move, Wang Baoqiang, who has long played goofy and funny characters in films like A World Without Thieves and Lost On Journey, plays the film's villain and Yen's chief rival. Famous for his comedic roles, not many people know that Wang studied the martial arts at Shaolin Temple for several years starting when he was just 8 years old.

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