Summary

Martial artistsoften do n’t get enough esteem in Hollywood , evidenced by a history of underutilization in Blockbuster films . As a genre , martial humanities moviesare relatively insular , hold a whole universe of wiz who need to be not only swell actors , but expert battler , choreographer , and stunt people to perfect their trade to perfection . Every now and then , Hollywood will seek to appease the preponderantly oversea interview of the writing style with cameos from some of the upright warlike arts actors in the business , to motley effects .

Often , the intention behind including widely - known martial artists , especially in film outside of the musical style , are good . However , there ’s an undeniable view underlying much of Hollywood ’s attitude to the warriorlike arts genre as being a playfulness novelty not worth being take in earnest . This can lead to some appearance of big name in the Wuxia or Kung - Fu movie world being utter waste of talent , conk out to develop their characters to a worthy stage or ruin their on - covert capabilities with hapless guidance or redaction . In the hand of an incapable creative , even the most seasoned warrior of the martial arts music genre can look lackluster .

8The Force Awakens

Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, and Cecep Arif Rahman

The Force Awakensmanaged to waste not one , not two , but three premiere martial artists in the first instalment of the sequel trilogy . The trio of Iko Uwais , Yayan Ruhian , and Cecep Arif Rahman are high - caliber martial art worker well know for their work in theThe Raidfranchise , an Indonesian legal action serial publication with some of the best conflict scenes ever consider for film , in which Uwais play the starring role of cub cop Rama . Tragically , all three doer are wasted as nothing more than fresh fish for squid - comparable aliens in one of the film most out - of - place succession , with Uwais only getting off a single line before being chased out .

Iko Uwais is one of Indonesia ’s most talented martial creative person but you would n’t screw it from his Star Wars : The Force Awakens cameo as Razoo Quin - Fee .

7Mortal Kombat (2021)

Joe Talsim

When word get out that the Modern reboot of theMortal Kombatfilm series would be boast Joe Talsim as the legendary ice ninja , Sub - Zero , fans of both the games and Talsim were rightfully excited . Also know forThe Raidfranchise , Talsim had also antecedently savour notoriety with great performances inFast & Furious 6andStar Trek Beyond , try himself as a seasoned thespian as well as a skilful fighter . Unfortunately , Talsim ’s Sub - Zero left a lot to be desired , finish up a one - bank bill villain whose action mechanism vista were dead butcher in the editing room , weaken up Talsim ’s proficiency with way too many fast cuts and tepid stage dancing .

6The Expendables 4

Dan Chupong and Mike Moeller

appropriately enough , the fourth entry in theExpendablesfranchise features four prominent martial arts actors . While Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais get some decent competitiveness scenes , Dan Chupong and Mike Moeller ’s talent are run short completely underappreciated . Though both men are n’t as high - profile as Jaa and Uwais , Chupong and Moeller have test themselves as capable martial artists and stunt performers in film likeBorn to FightandArena of the Street Fighter . ButThe Expendables 4wastes Moeller and Chupong , giving themminor role that do n’t even start to scratch the control surface of what they ’re capable of in an action movie .

5Kung-Fu Panda

Jackie Chan

There are few martial artist as well - cognise in the West as Jackie Chan , who managed to use his storeyed vocation in overseas motion picture to cement himself as one of Hollywood ’s most iconic figures with leading roles in a variety of Western franchises , most notably theRush Hourseries . Yet Western animation ’s most acclaimed warlike art series , Kung - Fu Panda , has grossly underutilized Jackie Chan ’s voice role as Monkey in the Furious Five . Not only is Jackie Chan relegated to a background character , he is n’t even one of the in particular stronger penis of the photographic film series ' elite team , getting comparatively fewer moment to beam .

4Blade 2

Donnie Yen

Donnie Yen is one of the more late contenders for the Mount Rushmore of martial liberal arts movie chair men , carrying theIp Manfranchise as a devoted Wing Chun practitioner . Unfortunately , Yen was underutilized in his former Hollywood roles , one of the most flagrant among them being his appearance inBlade 2 . In Wesley snipe ' follow - up to the superhero slasher flick , Donnie Yen seem as Snowman , a cannon - fresh fish member of the film ’s villain mob , the Bloodpack . Not only does he not get a single phone line , being portrayed as a mute fencer , but he ’s kill off - screen , an insulting comprehension for one of martial artistry ' biggest public figure .

3Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Despite having clearly grown his career sinceBlade 2 , Donnie Yen is once again underutilized in major franchise even in late years . Rather than being mute , this clock time Yen is unreasoning , at least getting a speaking theatrical role as the wise Chirrut Îmwe , a Force mystic who fights well - armed Imperial Stormtroopers with nothing but a staff . While his reference conception was great , the reality ofYen as Îmwe amount to a fistful of abbreviated action shots before hobble towards a pre - ordained heroical death . It ’s hard not to feel like Yen’sStar Warsappearance could ’ve had so much more likely .

2Guardians Of The Galaxy: Vol. 2

Michelle Yeoh

An Academy Award - winning actress , Michelle Yeoh rose to fame as a warriorlike creative person in a series of Hong Kong - farm action films , cement her place as Kung - Fu movie royalty thanks to her performance inCrouching Tiger , Hidden Dragon . Marvel buff were hopeful for Yeoh ’s part in the 2nd entry in theGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise , whereYeoh play Aleta Ogord , a lesser - known space - faring heroine . While Yeoh ’s liaison inGuardians of the Galaxy : Vol 2was a neglect chance , have a flyspeck use in a mid - credits chronological succession , the MCU gave her the screen comportment she deserved inShang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsas Ying Nan .

1Kill Bill Vol. 2

Michael Jai White

One of the most fertile martial arts whizz , Michale Jai White has act iconic office like Mike Tyson , Jax fromMortal Kombat , and even became the first African - American superhero lead withSpawnin 1997 . This make it all the more puzzling thatWhite ’s picture inKill Bill Vol . 2was cut , languishing in abstruseness as a deleted scene . regard that White ’s character would ’ve even gotten to engagement Bill himself , being the only dead on target combat vista the film ’s titular fictional character would ’ve gotten , it ’s a cry out shame that Michael Jai White’smartial artsskills never made it to the final cut ofKill Bill Vol . 2 .

Star Wars The Force Awakens Yayan Ruhian Iko Uwais

Keanu Reeves looking over one shoulder as John Wick in Ballerina

Ben-Stiller’s-$128M-Dark-Comedy-Lands-On-Netflix’s-Global-Charts-18-Years-Later

movies-wasted-martial-artists-roles-fights

Jason Statham And Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables 4 Posters

Monkey kicks from Kung Fu Panda

Donnie Yen as Snowman in Blade 2

Donnie Yen as Chirrut with his stick up in Rogue One A Star Wars Story

Michelle Yeoh leading a group of Ravagers in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2.

Michael Jai White Kill bill 2 cut role