When Donnie Yen talks about playing the legendary Ip Man, he does it with clear admiration in his voice. The award-winning movie star says the wing chun grandmaster is the quintessential role for any martial artist—one he sought to play his whole life, and for more reasons than you might think.

“He is definitely the ideal character that I want to put on screen,” says Yen, talking to the Straight from Los Angeles, where he is about to walk the red carpet alongside co-star Mike Tyson at the premiere of Ip Man 3. “It’s a personal goal that I set for myself, to be able to be like him, and hopefully through the platform of movie making, I can inspire others to be that way.”

Yen isn’t just speaking of Ip Man’s kung fu skills. It’s the serene disposition of the grandmaster that he seeks to replicate, although, as a lifelong martial artist, Yen embodies the character effortlessly. Humility is a quality he mastered a long time ago.

As a man who has spent most of his 52 years training in martial arts, Yen has also become an expert in more forms than most, if not all, UFC fighters. (Don’t cross your fingers for a welterweight fight featuring Yen anytime soon, though—he says after 33 years in the biz, the film industry is where he belongs.)

Yen’s mother, a tai chi grandmaster, instilled the value of discipline in him at an early age. As a teenager, he studied karate and wushu—but didn’t stop there. He holds a 6^th degree black belt in taekwondo, a black belt in judo, a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and he is more than proficient in kickboxing, muay thai, hapkido, jeet kune do, wrestling, and of course, wing chun.

In his own practice, Yen doesn’t have a favourite style. While he tells me the tool he’d choose to use in a surprise off-screen scuffle would depend on the size and ability of his opponent, the styles he chooses to work into his movies are entirely character-driven.

“If my character is an aggressive cop, for example, then he’s going to be practical and combat-based—more in line with today’s martial arts and understanding of MMA,” he says. “Once I identify the character, the style comes naturally.”

In Ip Man 3, Yen adds another notable name to his impressive list of on-screen opponents, which includes the likes of Jet Li and Jackie Chan. The three-minute bout between Mike Tyson and Yen runs out the clock, but it’s a fine example of both men’s skills in the ring—and entertaining as hell.

“As an actor who’s already fought everybody under the sun, working with him was a great experience,” Yen says, proudly admitting he’s always followed the boxer’s career.

“When I found out that I’d be working with him on-screen, my first thought was that the audience is going to love this; and second, it’s going to bring a fresh element to the series.”

Yen makes balancing multiple disciplines look easy, both in front of and behind the screen. In a single movie, the star often finds himself filling the role of choreographer, director, and producer, while simultaneously playing the lead.

“Sometimes, I don’t really have a choice, but ideally I don’t have to take on more than two things per film. In this modern society, you are often required to multi-task,” Yen says, ever so disciplined.

Echoing the message he gave to 20,000 youth in Vancouver at We Day in 2014, he says that the success of his art form isn’t measured by money or awards, but in inspiring his fans to find something within themselves.

“I tell my fans, ‘Never give up. Stay positive, be hopeful, and strive forward.’ Because you can’t change time, and you can’t look back.”

While he’s previously said he’d like to start pulling away from kung fu movies, Yen alludes to the making of Ip Man 4 without hesitation.

“It’s very likely, because, in one of the first scenes in Ip Man 3, you see that interaction between the student Bruce Lee and Ip Man. If there’s going to be an Ip Man 4, it’s going to be a continuation of that teacher/student relationship.”

In the near future, audiences can look forward to seeing Yen as the star in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, due for release on Netflix in late February. Yen has also been cast in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story alongside Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, and Forest Whitaker. For now, however, Yen’s priorities mirror those of his character in Ip Man 3: his family.

“I’ll probably focus on my own production company in Hong Kong, but really, I just want to take some time off for my kids.”

Catch Donnie Yen in Ip Man 3, opening today (January 22) at International Village Cinemas (88 West Pender Street) or Silvercity Riverport (14211 Entertainment Way) in Richmond.