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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Dongji Rescue' Star Kevin Lee on Playing a War Hero After a Decade as Chinese Cinema's Go-To Bad Guy: ‘I'm Ready for More Than Just the Villain Role'
After nearly a decade of playing memorable villains in some of China's biggest blockbusters, Kevin Lee is finally getting to be the good guy. In 'Dongji Rescue,' the keenly anticipated $80 million Chinese WWII action thriller from Cannes award-winning filmmaker Guan Hu ('Black Dog,' 'The Eight Hundred'), Lee trades his usual combat boots and weaponry for a more sympathetic role as a British POW caught in one of the war's most devastating maritime tragedies. More from Variety 'Black Dog' Director Guan Hu's $80 Million WWII Epic 'Dongji Rescue' Lands European Distribution With Trinity CineAsia 'Black Dog' Director Guan Hu Brings $80 Million WWII Epic 'Dong Ji Island' to Cannes Market With Seventh Art Pictures Beijing International Film Festival Marks Triple Milestone With Star-Studded Opening The film, co-directed by Hu and Fei Zhenxiang, dramatizes the real-life Lisbon Maru incident of October 1942, when an American submarine accidentally torpedoed a Japanese vessel transporting approximately 1,800 British prisoners of war from Hong Kong. Chinese fishermen from Dongji Island ultimately rescued more than 800 survivors in what ranks among the war's most harrowing episodes involving British forces. Lee stars alongside Chinese A-listers Zhu Yilong ('Only the River Flows'), Wu Lei ('Shadow') and Ni Ni ('The Flowers of War'), plus British newcomer William Franklyn-Miller. For Lee, whose breakout role in 'Wolf Warrior' established him as the quintessential Western villain in Chinese cinema, 'Dongji Rescue' represents both a career pivot and a deeply personal project. 'When I first read the script, I was shocked,' Lee tells Variety. 'I'd never heard of the Lisbon Maru incident, yet here was this deeply moving story of ordinary Chinese fishermen risking everything to save British POWs. As a Brit who's lived in China for over a decade, it hit me on many levels.' The role marks a significant departure for Lee, who has spent years perfecting his antagonist craft in films like 'The Battle at Lake Changjin' and 'Snipers.' His character in 'Dongji Rescue,' Lieutenant Colonel H.W.M. (Monkey) Stewart, is based on a real British high-ranking POW, adding layers of historical responsibility to the performance. 'It definitely felt refreshing,' Lee says of the shift. 'I've played antagonists in many Chinese films and always took pride in those roles. But 'Dongji Rescue' let me step into truth and empathy.' The casting came during a particularly hectic period for the actor. 'I auditioned during a quiet period in 2024, running on five hours of sleep after wrapping another project.' he recalls. 'Luckily, negotiations followed soon after.' To prepare for the historically grounded role, Lee immersed himself in research about POW conditions, survivor testimonies, and classic war films. He also watched 'The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,' the documentary that was China's entry to the Oscars' international category and covers the same incident. 'The documentary hit me hard, emotionally,' Lee admits. 'A lot of tears. These weren't just background names, they were real men with families and dreams, caught in something horrific.' The physical demands of the shoot proved equally challenging. 'The hardest part? Swimming scenes, fighting currents, dodging debris, timing everything for camera,' he says. 'It was intense.' Looking back on his unlikely journey from an aspiring actor making a living as a finance executive in China to action star, Lee describes his entry into Chinese cinema as a combination of fate, opportunity and persistence. The turning point came during a chance encounter with 'Wolf Warrior' actor-director Wu Jing while renewing his visa in Beijing. 'That meeting changed everything,' Lee explains. 'I quit my job in finance, took a leap of faith, and stayed because I worked hard and didn't give up. Against all the odds, it has somewhat paid off.' In 'Wolf Warrior' (2015), Lee played Mad Cow, a mercenary in the villain squad opposite Wu Jing in the action thriller that would launch China's most successful patriotic film franchise. The $89 million box office hit established Lee as the go-to Western antagonist in Chinese cinema and opened doors to a decade of high-profile roles. 'I will be forever grateful for and will always be indebted to Wu Jing for trusting in me,' Lee says. Since then, Lee has built an impressive filmography across some of China's biggest blockbusters. In 'The Battle at Lake Changjin' (2021), he played Colonel Allan MacLean, commanding officer of the 31st Infantry Regiment in the $200 million Korean War epic that became China's then highest-grossing film of all time with $913 million worldwide. He was cast as a hitman in Jackie Chan's 'Kung Fu Yoga' (1017) and in Zhang Yimou's 'Sniper' (2022) and his credits also include 'Super Me,' '100 Yards,' 'Pound of Flesh' and 'S.W.A.T.' Despite his success in the villain space, Lee is eager to expand his range. 'The truth is, I'm a pretty sweet guy off-screen and I'd love a shot at those type of roles,' he says. 'As a foreign actor in China, roles are limited by the scripts. Majority of movies here are either period, war or wuxia [martial arts] movies. Foreign actors in China rarely get cast in rom-coms or comedies, which is a shame.' Having witnessed the rapid evolution of China's film industry over more than a decade, Lee has seen significant changes in how international actors are integrated on set. 'It's changed a lot,' he reflects. 'Now, there's better communication, more inclusion and stronger professionalism.' Lee continues to study monologues, work on his American accent and shoot skits whenever possible. 'I'm deeply passionate about this craft,' he says. As for what's next, Lee sees 'Dongji Rescue' as a potential turning point. 'It allowed me to step into something more nuanced — a role with heart, with dignity and based on a real human being,' he says. 'And I hope it signals to the industry that I'm ready for more than just the villain role.' While China remains home after more than a decade, Lee has his sights set on global expansion. 'Hollywood is a huge goal of mine as well, like any ambitious actor, I guess,' he says. 'The experience I've gained makes me a better actor and storyteller, and I want to bring that experience to new audiences. I'm ready to mix with the best and grow even further.' 'Dongji Rescue' hits U.K. and Irish cinemas Aug. 22, with other European territories following from Aug. 29. It opens in China on Aug. 8. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025
ABC News
01-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Montevideo Maru mural unveiled in Stanhope to mark POW tragedy
For many years, Clive Toms had no idea his two uncles had died in Australia's worst maritime tragedy. Claude and Cecil Toms, from the northern Victorian town of Kyabram, were aboard Japanese prisoner of war transport ship the Montevideo Maru when it was sunk by a US Navy submarine, the USS Sturgeon, on July 1, 1942. The brothers were commonly known by their second names Howard and Hector, and were among 1,053 Australians who died in the tragedy. Mr Toms, 81, said it was a disaster his mum and dad never talked about. "It was shielded from us kids," he said. Mr Toms said his dad died when he was just 18, and he never really got the full story from him. "Mum remarried a few years later and if you ever asked any questions it was 'the boys are lost' and you knew very well there was no story going to come," he said. Desmond Crichton, who lives in the town of Stanhope, 15 kilometres south of Kyabram, lost his uncle Tom in the Montevideo Maru disaster. He said he knew hardly anything about its sinking when he was growing up. "My main knowledge comes from when I was living in Brunswick in the 1970s," Mr Crichton, 70, said. "I picked up the local paper and there [was the] story of the Salvation Army Band lost in the Montevideo Maru. In Stanhope there is a 25-metre-long mural honouring those who died during the disaster. The mural was unveiled in 2023. It stands opposite a memorial park with storyboards detailing those whose lives were lost on the ship. Stanhope RSL secretary George Gemmill said the mural, which was made by north-east Victorian artist Tim Bowtell, had put his town on the map. Mr Gemmill said a new storyboard about the discovery of the ship's wreckage in 2023 would be unveiled at the town's memorial park on the 83rd anniversary of the tragedy. Mr Toms said the mural had a profound impact on his Gippsland-based cousin Marie, whose dad was Howard (Cecil Toms). "She stared at that mural on the wall for 10 minutes," he said. "After that she started reading the words and stories on those storyboards. "Here were stories of men that were her dad's mates. "Now she could see a link for the first time. It was terribly important."
South China Morning Post
08-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong ferry disaster survivor says life jackets locked away before sinking
A survivor of Hong Kong's Lamma Island ferry disaster has told a court inquest that the life jackets were locked away and he was unable to get one by himself before his ferry sank following its collision with another vessel. Advertisement Philip Chiu Ping-chuen, whose sister died in the tragedy, on Thursday became the first witness to provide verbal testimony at the coroner's inquiry into the accident that took place on October 1, 2012. That night, the Lamma Island-bound Sea Smooth, operated by Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, crashed into the Lamma IV, which was taking 124 HK Electric employees and their relatives to see the National Day fireworks in Victoria Harbour. The former was able to continue its journey to Yung Shue Wan Pier, but the Lamma IV sank in less than two minutes, partly due to design flaws, resulting in 39 deaths – the city's worst maritime disaster since 1971. Chiu, a newspaper editor, said he went to get a life jacket after the collision at around 8.22pm, only to find out the safety apparatus closest was locked behind a 'metal frame' that could not be accessed without a crew member. Advertisement The court heard that an HK Electric employee got the key from the crew and unlocked the life jackets about 30 seconds later.
