Fact; One of the biggest issues in Hollywood right now is the lack of visibility or misrepresentation of Asians in media. With #oscarssowhite trending, and plenty of focus being put on the way blacks, Latinos and members of the LGBTQ community are featured in Hollywood, it surprisingly hasn’t been until very recently that people have begun speaking up about the lack of visibility of Asians, and how when they are represented, they are often seen as stereotypes. An influx of new actors and programming have come along to try and rectify the situation, and while everything is a step in the right direction, it’s hard not to pay homage and give respect to those that helped pave the way... such as Rick Yune.
A true pioneer of Asian visibility in American mainstream media, the devastatingly handsome Yune was discovered in an elevator and made into the first Asian face of both Versace and Ralph Lauren. From there, he went on to act in two life-changing roles in the Academy Award nominated film Snow Falling on Cedars and the blockbuster extravaganza, The Fast and The Furious. Even though his lines were limited in The Fast and The Furious, and his total amount of screen time was all of a shocking six minutes, Yune made such an impact that he was able to stand out and be memorable next to the likes of Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, and therefore went on to continuously smash through the glass ceiling Hollywood set above him. Crossing another dream franchise off his bucket list, Yune then starred in the James Bond classic, Die Another Day. And although the actor has starred in several action movies and has credible martial arts training, Yune is not known for being a “martial arts star” unlike some of the other great Asian actors before him. Not to take away any of their glory or contribution to the visibility of the presence of Asians on screen, but other than a handful of other actors- particularly male actors, for a long time, Rick Yune was (and still is) very much a rarity as far as Asian actors in Hollywood go.
Amazingly enough, after years of seasoning from a career that has put him in some of cinema’s most memorable modern classics, Yune finally found himself a role where he could do the one thing he was truly yearning to do; emote. As Kaidu On Netflix’s Marco Polo, Yune gets the opportunity to play that deeply layered character that Hollywood has shielded from him for so many years- and he shows with smoldering intensity that he was well worth the wait. Far more than an absurdly chiseled and beautiful face or a good action star with muscles for days, Yune shows he can deliver a wide range of feelings on screen and that he is literally willing to walk naked through fire to diminish any further stereotypes for his fellow Asian actors as he bares himself and his soul in a brave scene many actors would shy away from. He is the kind of compelling leading male that manages to encompass everything from looks to talent that has always begged the question when it comes to Asians in media,
“What took them so long?”
Here, Yune takes a moment to answer a few other questions, from what it was like working on this season of Marco Polo, to what scoop he can share from the new Prison Break reboot, to what else he would love to work on;
Marco Polo is now airing on Netflix for season two. Talk about where we left off last season, particularly with Kaidu, and what is in store for this season?
When I stepped into the role it was kind of nondescript. I had never done television, and I really liked this part- particularly that it was an Asian production. Most of what was written about Kaidu, they gave me a lot of license to fill in. I chose a character that could really be a man of the people, and that’s where we really took it this season- where he didn’t really care too much about the politics, the power or the throne. It was more about connecting with his roots and what brought the Mongol empire to power. So, last season ended with Kaidu stating that the empire was turning toward greed and forgetting the needs of the people, and that’s what this season is all about.
So, Kaidu isn’t seeking power or the throne at all, he really is seeking what is just and righteous?
Kaidu wants nothing to do with the throne! This is really more the doing of his mother. In Kaidu’s mind the throne is nothing more than a chair, and he’s more into being true to himself, and for that I really loved this character. He resonated deeply with the characters I looked up to growing up, characters that strive toward being greater. Kaidu really was a true ideal character to play.
Marco Polo, even though it’s quite historic, is relevant right now with the war they are waging, the politics behind it, and how they use religion to conquer land. Talk about that a bit.
Marco Polo is really the narrative of the Mongol Empire and their expansion. The Mongols were pretty interesting because they were the largest empire in the world, from Asia all the way to Hungary and eastern Europe. So, ultimately this is still about the expansion of power and how to lead a people and the culture of the people. This was about the crusades- they were thinking of taking over Rome and Italy and they very well could have. This was during a time of a lot of internal change.
Playing a real person from so long ago must be difficult because the references you have available to you for research to tap into your character are so historic. How did you research your character?
I believe that any character you play has to resonate with you no matter what the time period. Ben-Hur might have been a movie made in the 60’s, but I don’t think there’s any difference between a man in the 60’s and a man in the actual time the character is supposed to be portrayed- it’s all about understanding humanity. I have to try and understand why a character works and behaves in the way they do. In order to understand Kaidu, it wasn’t as much as understanding a man back then, but more that I know a lot of politicians and a lot of leaders- military leaders and leaders in different countries. And they all face the same question; do they give into circumstance? So, that was the only thing I needed to focus on. And in reality, all the actors came so prepared, so it was ultimately quite easy because we relied on each other to make it quite real.
Marco Polo has such astounding fight choreography. Talk about your martial arts training.
Well, actually, I did no martial arts or action in Marco Polo! Except for maybe the beginning scenes where I had to go hunting, and the first time I rode through a horse with no reigns and I had to shoot a bow. But, I really didn’t do any martial arts- and that was great, because everything that I had to go through dealt with the journey of one guy and his inner conflict and wanting to be a good son to a mother while reclaiming the name of the family. I love that there was so much emphasis on the character. Not to take away from the amazing action sequences that are on the show. The stunt team does such a great job coordinating the fight sequences, but I really wanted to do a project where there wasn’t too much emphasis on my physicality. I think they put it all together very well.
A film where you did get to show off your martial arts skills was The Man With The Iron Fists, which the amazing Quentin Tarantino worked on as well. Talk about that a bit.
The Man With The Iron Fists was a great project that I got to do with some awesome buddies of mine; RZA, and Russell Crowe. We got together on these sixteen hour days with this Chinese stunt team. It was really fun to be able to work six days a week and party one day- it was a lot like that here on Marco Polo. A great team to work with that works so hard.
You also have the Prison Break reboot in production. What can you tell us about that?
Not much really! They took it to a whole other level. The cast is great. My character is great and goes through a very steep arc. I can’t really answer this because it’s very confidential [laughs], but you’re gonna like it!
One of the main things being talked about right now in Hollywood is Asian visibility in media. You really helped pioneer Asian visibility as you were the first Asian face featured in Versace and Ralph Lauren so many years ago, and was one of the very few mainstream Asian actors. Talk about this issue a bit and talk about breaking down doors for other Asian actors.
Yeah, I remember when I first got into the business I was very fortunate. My first job, Snow Falling On Cedars, was nominated or an Oscar. And then I had a great journey back to back with films, which very few people have seen in their careers- and I didn’t go to acting school or anything like that. But, I definitely was one of the first in Hollywood as far as Asians at that time. I remember going to restaurants and a lot of these great actors like John Cho that are making names for themselves now were there as waiters, so it’s great seeing their success because they dedicated their lives to this for a long time and they are so talented. I have read a lot about representation in the media, particularly with the Oscars and things of that nature, and I can tell you this- if I were white, black or Hispanic trying to make movies in Asia? It would never happen. So, in that respect, the American dream is very much alive for a guy like me who revered films so much and it’s given me a tremendous amount, it’s an incredible thing. But, at the same time, there is the awareness that what the terrain is showing is that the path that Asian actors can go does not have far roots, and that is why Marco Polo was really incredible for me because it navigates real relationships. To be honest? This is the first character I’ve had that even had real lines! My manager told me I was in the first Fast and The Furious for SIX MINUTES! [Cracks up kindly] And in Bond [Die Another Day] I was covered in make-up and might have had twenty things to say! Most of them three word sentences. The Man With The Iron Fists was like that, Ninja Assassin I basically had a mask on my face the entire time. So this was the first time I was really able to be an actor as a human being and not just a stereotype, and it was a blessing. And I know I know that it will happen more simply because of economics and the function of how the economics plays into our industry- they need to get into Asia. Asia will be the biggest market in the world. You see all the projects and endeavors to mix these cultures and that’s what art is supposed to be about. But, I have some pretty good African-American comedian friends who say to me; “We got it bad...but I feel sorry for ya’ll. You got it the worst.” And it’s pretty funny! And I do see Asian actors are trying to step outside of the boundaries, and that is always a journey. And as we’ve seen, black actors have been trying to that for a long time and now it’s Asian actors time to step up to the plate and take on that responsibility. And then there’s also talent. I always try and learn from men that I respect greatly, so when I got the opportunity to be near Russell Crowe, one of the greatest actors and potential legends of our time, I was eager to hear what he would have to say, and his advice was “You either have it or you don’t, so you don’t have to really worry about it too much.” And I think that’s very inspiring.
Often times, Asian actors are subjugated to comedic, submissive, or one dimensional side roles, but you very often play leaders, or dominant, stronger characters that go against stereotype, which again, really breaks the mold. Talk about this and the kind of roles that you’re drawn to. Is that just your personality?
I think a lot of it is how you want to take a character. It could be written one way and it’s your responsibility to make it hot. You have to make it pop, no matter what it is. Stereotypes are really about ignorance, or fear, or a lack of knowledge. People have to have courage to go out and bring reality to these roles. I’ve seen guys take on a project and do it in a way that is completely different to how I would have approached it. For instance- in The Fast And The Furious the character was written very different. He was originally named something like Peter Kwok! I was like, “Wait a minute...this is the guy, and this is what he does? His name is Johnny Tran!” [Laughs] And I just needed to do it the way it was going to resonate! And then you collaborate with everybody! I love the idea of supporting other artists, that’s why I do this. I grew up in military schools, so it feels as if it is commitment to each other and I love that- being on a set with people that bring the best no matter what and working toward the greatest goal as a team. Collaboration is so key, and that way you can help educate people who might not know these stories and enlighten them on a way to diminish stereotypes.
You have been part of two of the most major film franchises in film history- James Bond, and The Fast and The Furious franchise, which people have said is the American equivalent to the Bond franchise. Did you ever think The Fast and The Furious would be this big when you first filmed it, and are you still close with that close-knit cast? What other kinds of films would you love to do?
The Fast and The Furious was a precious time because we were all just beginning and we really formed a bond. Whenever I see the fellas it really is like family, even if they came from another part of the franchise, there is still that familiarity of coming from something that people care about so much. It’s about finding your identity no matter what culture you come from or what part of the world you come from, and I think we all identify with each other because we are all so multi-cultural and this was the first time in cinema where everyone really brought their own flavor and it really changed things. I love the way the franchise is going and how people relate to it, it’s a beautiful thing and why I came to be in this business. And when I was a kid, Bond was it! Having been in it? You have to believe in a greater power! I am working on my own project, which I’m very excited about, and I ultimately am just looking for people to work with that I can really connect with and that I can make some good work with. You know what I would truly love to do? I would love to be able to do something that explores deep emotion with some of the female actresses that I truly admire in the industry- such as Julia Roberts, Amy Adams, or Jessica Chastain. They bring such a strength and sensitivity to what they do. After doing Marco Polo, I do believe you learn and journey a lot more as a human being and actor when you seek to understand a woman as a mother or in a relationship, and to have those nuances explored with such dynamic actresses that can really elevate the work would be so interesting to me.
Having already broken down so many doors for Asian actors everywhere, it would be only fitting if the next door Yune broke through was starring as a leading man opposite the likes of powerhouse talents such as Julia Roberts, Amy Adams or Jessica Chastain. But the next thing he has lined up to break through is Prison Break, coming back early next year.
Meanwhile, catch Yune on season two of Marco Polo, currently streaming on Netflix.