Corey Yuen

Yuen gained fame in American cinema beginning with his work as an action director on the 1998 film Lethal Weapon 4, followed by the 2000 blockbuster X-Men and six of Jet Li's English-language works: Romeo Must Die (2000), Kiss of the Dragon, The One (both 2001), Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), War (2007), and The Expendables (2010). He also served as director and fight choreographer on Jason Statham's 2002 action film The Transporter, and served as second-unit director and fight choreographer on its two sequels.

• Name — Corey Yuen • Native Name — 元奎 • Birth Name — 殷港民 • Born — 15 February 1951 • Birthplace — British Hong Kong • Died — 2 March 2022 • Place of death — United States • Other Names — Corey Yuen Yuen Kwai • Relatives — Freddie Wong (nephew) Jimmy Wong (nephew) • Occupation — Film director, film producer, action choreographer • Years Active — 1971–2022

Born on 15 February 1951 in British Hong Kong, his parents signed a 10-year contract for him to attend the China Drama Academy when he was 9 years old because they could not afford to raise him. Given the name Yuen Kwai, he became known as one of the Seven Little Fortunes, seven child actors and acrobats who performed together and who also included Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, and Yuen Wah. They spent those days training in a harshly disciplined style under the watch of Master Yu Jim-yuen.

In the 1970s, Yuen appeared in three Hwang Jang-lee films: Secret Rivals 2 (1977) as Silver Fox's henchman; Invincible Armor (1977) as Assassin; and film Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979) as Rubber Legs' student. In the 1980s, Yuen played Devil Disciple Leader in the 1983 film Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain, alongside Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao and Mang Hoi. Yuen played SWAT Team Member in 1985 film Heart of the Dragon, alongside Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan. Yuen played Bad Egg in 1986 film Righting Wrongs (who also directed), along with Yuen Biao, Melvin Wong, Cynthia Rothrock, Peter Cunningham and Louis Fan. Yuen played Judy Wu in 1987 film Eastern Condors along with Sammo Hung, Joyce Godenzi, Billy Chow Bei-lei, Yuen Biao, Max Mok, Yuen Woo-ping and Melvin Wong Kam-san. In the 1990s, Yuen played Man in the Boat in the 1990 film She Shoots Straight, (who also directed) along with Joyce Godenzi, Sammo Hung and Yuen Wah. Yuen played Li Kwon-bon in 1993 film Fong Sai-yuk II (who also directed) alongside Jet Li. Yuen played Uncle Po in 1997 film Hero (who also directed) alongside Yuen Biao and Takeshi Kaneshiro. In the 2010s, Yuen played Cao Cao's General in the 2010 film Just Another Pandora's Box alongside Ronald Cheng, Yuen Biao, Tin Kai-Man, Louis Fan Siu-wong and Wu Jing.

Once Li gained stardom in American cinemas beginning with 1998 film Lethal Weapon 4, Yuen's action direction also received fame in the West. He worked in the 2000 blockbuster X-Men as an action director, and he would also handle the martial arts and action sequences in 6 of Li's other Hollywood films: Romeo Must Die, Kiss of the Dragon, The One, Cradle 2 the Grave, War, and The Expendables. He also directed So Close, released in 2002. That same year he was the fight choreographer and second unit director for The Transporter, having initially been hired as the main director, returning for its 2005 sequel Transporter 2. He held the same positions on both films, however in the United States release he is credited as the first film's director due to being a more marketable name than first time filmmaker Louis Leterrier.

Yuen died from heart failure on 2 March 2022. At the time, news of his death was kept private at his family's request. 2 years later in 2024, Jackie Chan published a post on Weibo paying tribute to late members of the Seven Little Fortunes, naming Yuen as one of the deceased. Tin Kai-man confirmed that Yuen had died, and explained the news had been kept secret.

• Year — English title — Notes • International — Philippines • 1982 — Ninja in the Dragon's Den • 1985 — Yes, Madam — The Super Cops — a.k.a. Police Assassins and In the Line of Duty 2 • 1986 — No Retreat, No Surrender • Righting Wrongs — Fight to Win II — a.k.a. Above the Law • 1987 — No Retreat, No Surrender 2 — Raging Thunder — a.k.a. No Retreat, No Surrender II: Raging Thunder • 1988 — In the Blood • Dragons Forever — Super Dragon • 1990 — She Shoots Straight • All for the Winner • 1991 — Top Bet • Saviour of the Soul — The Good and the Bad • 1992 — Ghost Punting • Saviour of the Soul II • Fist of Fury 1991 II • 1993 — Women on the Run • Fong Sai-yuk — The Prodigal Fighter — a.k.a. The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk and The Legend • Fong Sai-yuk II — Once Upon a Time in China-6 — a.k.a. The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk II and The Legend 2 • 1994 — The Bodyguard from Beijing — a.k.a. The Defender • 1995 — My Father Is a Hero — a.k.a. The Enforcer and Jet Li's The Enforcer • 1997 — Mah-jong Dragon • Hero • 97 Legendary La Rose Noire • 1998 — Enter the Eagles • 2001 — The Avenging Fist • 2002 — So Close • The Transporter — Directed with Louis Leterrier • 2004 — The Twins Effect II — Blade of the Rose • 2006 — DOA: Dead or Alive • 2011 — Treasure Inn — Directed with Wong Jing

Corey Yuen is recorded as actor, stunt coordinator, screenwriter and director.