Released in 2019, Diệp Vấn 4: The Finale was promoted as the final installment in the series, as the character of Ip Man, played by Donnie Yen, had met his demise. Consequently, when the announcement of Diệp Vấn 5 was made, many were left speculating about how the filmmakers would resurrect the main character of this franchise.
Raymond Wong, the primary investor and producer of Diệp Vấn 5, explained the reasoning behind the decision to continue the series despite the character’s death: “Several years ago, when I met with international film companies, everyone asked whether I would be making another installment of Diệp Vấn. Given that the previous installment had been received so warmly, I reached out to Donnie Yen to discuss the possibility of creating a different film to mark the 15th anniversary of the franchise. Donnie and I agreed that we did not want to simply replicate what had been done before. It would need a fresh approach and bring something new to the audience. That is why we waited until the script was fully completed before making this public.”
In addition to Diệp Vấn 5, Donnie Yen will also be participating in Misjudgment and Flash Point 2. The first film debuted in 2007, featuring Donnie Yen alongside other stars such as Louis Koo and Fan Bingbing. Regarding whether the original cast would return, Donnie Yen skillfully sidestepped the question and only explained the rationale for filming the next sequel: “I always hope to continue challenging my limits in Chinese action films. In Flash Point, the fight choreography was exceptionally well-received and discussed extensively. Many people have sent me short videos and asked how I envision a new collaborative work.”
Donnie Yen mentioned that this ongoing interest has motivated him to pursue the next installment nearly 16 years after the original film was released.
