For years, I looked to Bruce Lee as a mentor as being a Chinese and Asian man living in this country.

I gained a lot of confidence after 'IP Man' as being a true actor. I went on to tackle what it is an actor is supposed to do before a film. Do a lot of research, get into the character. That's what I did with 'Dragon.'

I don't make comparisons between any movies. I compare characters. All my actions, performances, all my films, they are driven by the characteristic. If I'm playing a cop, then I give him a particular style - I may not know that style, but as an actor I have to be responsible to do your homework and do your research and training and stuff like that.

There is also a strong following among the urbanites on the East Coast when it comes to martial arts films.

I try to update my arsenal constantly. Learning different martial arts since childhood. To understand what's out there. To really be in tune.

I have always been a great fan of Peter Chan and many other great directors who specialize in anything outside of action.

My mum lives in Boston; she's famous for teaching wushu and t'ai chi. So from when I was young, my mum and aunt were like: 'You're training; you're not playing baseball or football.' Training every day was normal. Later, when I was almost a teenager, Bruce Lee became my idol.