There are many modern martial arts actors who have yet to face each other in any film, but that hasn’t stopped fans from dreaming about what those confrontations would be like. From big names like Donnie Yen and Keanu Reeves to up-and-coming actors, martial arts films with incredible action and plots are 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 aspects is crucial.
These performances are not just transmitted to the cinema, however. There are many martial arts television series with great performances, showing the wide variety of content fans have received in recent years with shows like Wu Assassins and Cobra Kai. Many of these iconic martial arts actors and others have yet to fight on screen, although some of these clashes feel like they should have happened a long time ago.
10
Marrese Crump vs. Keanu Reeves
Their raw experience in martial arts makes them a good match
Marrese Crump isn’t as well-known as many martial arts movie stars, but what he accomplished was incredibly impressive. He starred as the villain opposite Tony Jaa in THE Protector 2, and has since coordinated stunts and starred in several martial arts films. Above all, his fighting is always impressive, inspired by his real-life experience in martial arts, including Muay Thai and Tae Kwon Do.
Keanu Reeves himself needs little introduction, having acted in countless martial arts classics, such as John Wick and The Matrix. He is known for his rigorous martial arts training and less flashy, more practical fight scenes. A fight between Reeves and Crump in any film is sure to be kineticrelying on martial arts fundamentals as opposed to flashy choreography.
9
Jeeja Yanin vs. Juju Chan Szeto
These actresses are the future of martial arts films
Known for their roles in 2008 Chocolate and 2019 Wu Assassins respectively, Jeeja Yanin and Juju Chan Szeto are powerhouses when it comes to examples of new talent in martial arts. Yanin herself has special practice in Taekwondo, having trained in the art since she was 11 years old. Szeto is also known for her Taekwondo skills, having won several medals, even winning gold in international competitions.
Since they are both 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 being newcomers, the two didn’t star in as many films as their competitors, but what they did appear in was incredible. Yanin and Szeto would be each other’s perfect foil for any upcoming martial arts film.
8
Simu Liu vs. William Zabka
The stars of two major franchises were supposed to collide in an epic fight scene
Although he has appeared in several projects including Kim Convenience, before achieving worldwide acclaim, Simu Liu’s most notable performance is as the titular character of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Although this film was part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings takes inspiration from classic martial arts films. This, along with the visceral action seen throughout the film and an appearance as one of the Kens in Barbie film, made Liu a household name in just a few years.
Given the weight of his recent performances, he would be the perfect person to face industry veteran William Zabka. Best known for his appearance in The Karate Kid and later Cobra Kai, Zabka should definitely be in more action movies. A fight scene between Liu and Zabka would be perfect Hollywood entertainmentbringing together actors best known for two very different franchises in an iconic fight.
7
Andrew Koji vs. Justin Chien
Television actors are moving to the big screen
Andrew Koji is a big name in modern martial arts, with successes including Bullet train, snake eyes, and the 2019 crime drama Warrior. Justin Chien has also had great success on television, starring The Sun Brothers alongside 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.
It would be exciting to watch a fight between the two, bringing together several different types of martial arts in one climactic battle. In addition to their martial arts skills, the two have incredibly impressive screen presences that demand the viewer’s attention whenever they are on screen. This battle of wills would be a tense fight where the winner is not immediately apparent from the start.
6
Joe Taslim vs. Scott Adkins
These judo experts have participated in many films
Although he has been acting since 2008, Joe Taslim’s career has recently reached new heights. Starring in many martial arts films such as Night Comes for Us, Mortal Kombat (2021), and The Swordsman, Taslim apparently has a talent for choosing projects which end up being successes. Scott Adkins, who has been in so many films in the last decade alone, recently appeared in John Wick: Chapter 4 and Ip Man 4: The Finale.
Both actors are trained in Judowith Taslim even serving as a member of the Indonesian national judo team from 1997 to 2009. Adkins’ list of martial arts specialties goes on, giving him a wide range of combat styles to emulate on film. Because of this breadth, any fight between the two could go a number of ways, and the possibilities of what could come are one of the most exciting parts of this pairing.
5
Michael Jai Branco vs. Donnie Yen
These industry veterans could cut loose with their decades of experience
Neither Michael Jai White nor Donnie Yen require an introduction and have both been in incredible action films over the years. White was the first African-American to star in a superhero film with To generate in 1997, and has also consistently appeared in films and television shows since then. Donnie Yen’s filmography is equally impressive, starting in Hong Kong action cinema, where he still makes films to this day, and reaching American audiences.
Both are trained in various styles of martial arts and have so much experience that any fight between them would be spectacular to see. Shared experience would only elevate your performanceallowing them to really let loose and fight to the best of their ability. This pairing would be one to watch, bringing together two incredibly talented martial artists.
4
Michelle Yeoh vs. Lucy Liu
These two actresses are martial arts legends
Michelle Yeoh and Lucy Liu are legendary actresses, having starred in countless films over their decades-long careers. Yeoh famously appeared in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and, more recently, the change in reality Everything everywhere at the same time. Interestingly, Although Yeoh has no formal training in martial arts, she has been a fixture in the genre for decades. Lucy Liu, on the other hand, has some experience in martial arts, training in Kali-Eskrima-Silat, a discipline known for the use of bladed weapons.
Although Liu’s definitive action performance was arguably in Kill Billa return to this type of action film would be welcome. Yeoh and Liu are well known for their fluid action sequences, and a fight between these two industry icons would be one for the history books. It’s a wonder the two have never appeared opposite each other in an action film before.
3
Ke Huy Quan vs. Tony Jaa
Ke Huy Quan’s return to acting brought exciting martial arts fights
Making his debut as a child actor in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Ke Huy Quan took a decades-long hiatus from acting and focused on working as a stunt coordinator. He only recently returned with instant success Everything everywhere at once, a performance that earned him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Tony Jaa is another famous actor in the martial arts genre, often cited as the actor who helped popularize Thai action films around the world with films such as Ong-Bak: Muay Thai warrior.
Ke Huy Quan began his Taekwondo journey on the set of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, while Tony Jaa is best known for his Muay Thai skills. The two have very different energies when it comes to the characters they play, with Quan being able to switch between a charming, if not strange, personality 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 with them.
2
Iko Uwais vs. Donnie Yen
One of the best actors in modern martial arts must face a master of the industry
Iko Uwais has exploded in popularity in recent years, playing major roles in major projects like Night comes for us, triple threat, and Wu Assassins. Until recently, Uwais remained behind the scenes of a few films here and there, but only now is his career starting to take off. Uwais began learning martial arts at his grandfather’s school at the age of 10. learning the art of Silat and going from there.
This type of fight scene would not only cement his place among legends like Yen himself, but it would also provide 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 an industry veteran like Donnie Yen. This type of fight scene would not only cement his place among legends like Yen himself, but it would also provide an opportunity for Uwais to give his best performance. Yen’s films are always fun, with interesting stories and great action, and Iko Uwais would be a great addition to any of these films.
1
Dev Patel vs. Keanu Reeves
Monkey Man and John Wick were inspired by similar films
Before The Monkey Man was released in April 2024, no one would describe Dev Patel as a martial arts actor. Patel never starred in any notable martial arts films, despite having trained in Taekwondo since I was a child. This all changed with the release of Monkey Man, a gripping and rage-filled revenge film that revolves around the trauma faced by marginalized groups in India.
Many compare Monkey Man to John Wickand for good reason, as 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 spins. The combat is impactful, similar to what Keanu Reeves does in his John Wick franchise, making them the perfect duo to take on any future John Wick or general Keanu Reeves action film.