There are many modern martial arts actors that have yet to go head-to-head in any films, but that has not stopped fans from dreaming about what these matchups might be like. From major names like Donnie Yen and Keanu Reeves to rising actors,martial arts films with incredible action and storylinesare also known for their stars and what they bring to the table. Marrying this visceral action and incredible fight scenes with character development is important, which is why having lead stars who can convey both of those aspects is crucial.
These performances are not relayed solely to film, however. There are plenty ofmartial arts television series with great performancesas well, showing the wide variety of content that fans have been served in recent years with shows such asWu AssassinsandCobra Kai.Many of these iconic martial arts actors and more have yet to fight on screen, even thoughsome of these matchups feel like they should have happened a long time ago already.
10Marrese Crump Vs. Keanu Reeves
Their Raw Martial Arts Experience Makes Them A Good Match
Marrese Crump is not as well known as many martial arts movie stars, but what he has accomplished has all been incredibly impressive. He starred as the villain alongside Tony Jaa inTheProtector 2,and since then has coordinated stunts for and starred in several martial arts films. Above all, his fighting is always impressive, pulling from his real-life experience in martial arts, including Muay Thai and Tae Kwon Do.
Marrese Crump was a part of Chadwick Boseman’s additional crew for the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther, working as a stunt trainer.
Keanu Reeves himself needs little introduction, having starred in countless martial arts classics such asJohn WickandThe Matrix.He is known for his rigorous martial arts training and fight scenes that are less flashy and more practical.A fight between Reeves and Crump in any film is sure to be kinetic, relying on these martial arts fundamentals as opposed to flashy choreography.
9Jeeja Yanin Vs. Juju Chan Szeto
These Actresses Are The Future Of Martial Arts Films
Known for their roles in 2008’sChocolateand 2019’sWu Assassinsrespectively, Jeeja Yanin and Juju Chan Szeto are both powerhouses when it comes to examples of new martial arts talent. Yanin herself is especially practiced in Taekwondo, having trained in the art since she was 11. Szeto is also known for her skills in Taekwondo, having won several medals, even winning gold in international competitions.
Because the two of them are so skilled in the same form of martial arts, a fight between them would be interesting to see the differences between the two masters of the craft. Not beginners by any means, the two of them have not starred in as many films as their competitors, but what they have appeared in has been incredible.Yanin and Szeto would be each other’s perfect oppositionfor any upcoming martial arts film.
8Simu Liu Vs. William Zabka
The Stars Of Two Massive Franchises Should Collide In One Epic Fight Scene
Although he has appeared in several projects, includingKim’s Convenience,before achieving worldwide acclaim,Simu Liu’s most notable performance is as the titular character ofShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.Even thoughthis film was a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe,Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringstakes inspiration from classic martial arts films. This, coupled with the visceral action seen throughout the film and an appearance as one of the Kens in theBarbiemovie, has made Liu a household name in only a few years.
Because of the weight of his recent performances, he would be the perfect person to go up against industry veteran William Zabka. Best known for his appearance inThe Karate Kidand laterCobra Kai,Zabka should definitely be in more action movies.A fight scene between Liu and Zabka would be perfect Hollywood entertainment, bringing actors most known for two very different franchises together in one iconic fight.
7Andrew Koji Vs. Justin Chien
Television Actors Are Making Moves To The Big Screen
Andrew Koji is a big name in modern martial arts, coming off of successes includingBullet Train, Snake Eyes,and the 2019 crime dramaWarrior.Justin Chien has also had big success with television, starring inThe Brothers Sunalongside martial arts veteran Michelle Yeoh.Koji is trained in many martial arts disciplines, including Kyokushin Karate and Shaolin Kung Fu,while Chien is trained in Muay Thai boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Andrew Koji eventually dropped out of college to focus on training in martial arts at the age of 19.
A fight between the two would be electric to watch, bringing together several different types of martial arts in one climactic battle. Aside from their skills in martial arts, the two of them have incredibly commanding screen presences that demand the viewer’s attention whenever they are on-screen. This battle of wills would make for a tense fight, one where the winner is not immediately apparent from the start.
6Joe Taslim Vs. Scott Adkins
These Judo Specialists Have Been In Many Films
Although he has been acting since 2008, Joe Taslim’s career has recently achieved new heights. Starring in many martial arts films such asThe Night Comes for Us, Mortal Kombat (2021),andThe Swordsman,Taslim seemingly has a knack for picking projectsthat turn out to be hits. Scott Adkins, who has been a part of so many films in the last decade alone, has recently appeared inJohn Wick: Chapter 4andIp Man 4: The Finale.
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Both actors are trained in Judo, with Taslim even serving as a member of Indonesia’s national Judo team from 1997 to 2009. Adkins' list of martial arts specialties goes on, offering him a wide range of combat styles to emulate in film. Because of this range, any fight between the two of them could go any number of ways, and the possibilities of what could come are one of the most exciting parts of this pairing.
5Michael Jai White Vs. Donnie Yen
These Industry Veterans Could Let Loose With Their Decades Of Experience
Neither Michael Jai White nor Donnie Yen require introductions and have both been in some incredible action films over the years. White was the first African American man to star in a superhero film withSpawnin 1997, and he has also consistently appeared in films and television shows in the years since.Donnie Yen’s filmographyis just as impressive, beginning in Hong Kong action cinema, where he still makes movies to this day, and making his way over to an American audience.
Both of them are trained in multiple martial arts styles and have so much experience that any fight between them would be spectacular to see.Their shared experience would only elevate their performance, allowing them to really let loose and fight to the best of their capability. This pairing would be one to watch, bringing two incredibly talented martial artists together.
4Michelle Yeoh Vs. Lucy Liu
These Two Actresses Are Both Martial Arts Legends
Michelle Yeoh and Lucy Liu are both legendary actresses, having starred in countless films over decades-long careers. Yeoh famously appeared inCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,and, more recently, the reality-bendingEverything Everywhere All at Once.Interestingly,though Yeoh does not have any formal martial arts training, she has been a staple in the genre for decades.Lucy Liu, on the other hand, has some experience in martial arts, training in Kali-Eskrima-Silat, which is a discipline known for its use of bladed weapons.
Michelle Yeoh won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2023 forEverything Everywhere All at Once.
While Liu’s definitive action performance was arguably inKill Bill, a return to these sorts of action movies would be a welcome one. Yeoh and Liu are both so well known for their fluid action sequences, and a fight between these two industry icons would be one for the history books. It is a wonder that the two of them haven’t appeared across from each other in an action film before.
3Ke Huy Quan Vs. Tony Jaa
Ke Huy Quan’s Return To Acting Has Brought Exciting Martial Arts Fights
Making his breakout performance as a child actor inIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,Ke Huy Quan took a decades-long acting hiatusand focused on working as a stunt coordinator. He only recently returned with the instant hitEverything Everywhere All at Once,a performance that won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Tony Jaa is another famous actor in the martial arts genre, often cited as the actor who helped to popularize Thai action films worldwide with films such asOng-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior.
Ke Huy Quan began his Taekwondo journey on the set ofIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,while Tony Jaa is best known for his skills in Muay Thai. The two of them have very different energies when it comes to the characters they play, with Quan being able to switch back and forth between a charming, if not awkward, persona to a battle-hardened warrior. Creativity would be key in any fight between the two, and as actors, they would be able to carry a heavy plot line along with it.
2Iko Uwais Vs. Donnie Yen
One Of Modern Martial Arts' Best Actors Needs To Face An Industry Master
Iko Uwais has exploded in popularity in recent years, playing major roles in massive projects such asThe Night Comes for Us, Triple Threat,andWu Assassins.Until recently, Uwais has lingered in the background of a few films here and there, but only now is his career beginning to take off.Uwais began learning martial arts at his grandfather’s school at 10 years old,learning the art of Silat and going from there.
Not only would this sort of fight scene cement his spot among legends such as Yen himself, but it would also offer an opportunity for Uwais to give his best performance.
The next step for any actor rising in popularity as quickly as Uwais is to fight against an industry veteran such as Donnie Yen. Not only would this sort of fight scene cement his spot among legends such as Yen himself, but it would also offer an opportunity for Uwais to give his best performance. Yen’s movies are consistently entertaining with interesting storylines and great action, and Iko Uwais would be a great addition to any of these films.
1Dev Patel Vs. Keanu Reeves
Monkey Man & John Wick Were Inspired By Similar Movies
BeforeMonkey Man wasreleased in April of 2024, no one would describe Dev Patel as a martial arts actor.Patel had never really starred in any notable martial arts films despite having trained in Taekwondosince he was a child. This all changed with the release ofMonkey Man,a gripping, rage-filled revenge film revolving around the trauma faced by marginalized groups in India.
Many compareMonkey MantoJohn Wick, and for good reason given that they were inspired by similar films. The action seen in this film is bloody and visceral, using improvised weapons and combat that feels grounded as opposed to flashy kicks and flips. The combat is impactful, similar to what Keanu Reeves pulls off in hisJohn Wickfranchise, making them the perfect duo to go head-to-head in any futureJohn Wickor general Keanu Reeves action movie.
