6 Ways Donnie Yen Ip Man 5 Could have Worked (Despite The Last Movie Killing Him Off)

The news that Ip Man 5 was going to happen was quite surprising, namely because Yen’s now iconic Ip Man character died at the end of Ip Man 4: The Finale, thus begging the question as to how a fifth installment will work. While it isn’t certain how Ip Man’s death will affect Ip Man 5, there is a lot of room for speculation regarding where the series can go next. The Ip Man movie franchise centers around the life and teachings of Ip Man, a prolific martial artist and grandmaster of the Chinese martial art, Wing Chun. Furthermore, he was known for instructing and mentoring many troubled young men, with the legendary Bruce Lee.

6. Ip Man 5 Can Be A Spin-Off

Ip-Man 5 Can Focus On People Ip Man Inspired. With the debut of 2018’s Master Z: Ip Man Legacy, the Ip Man franchise is already looking to branch out in the form of spin-offs based on notable characters that Ip Man encountered or defeated in previous entries. For example, Master Z: Ip Man Legacy, follows the story of Ip Man 3’s antagonist, Cheung Tin-chi, a fellow Wing Chun practitioner. Considering the many noteworthy foes Ip Man bested throughout the franchise, it is possible that Ip Man5 could explore some of those characters’ journeys, with Ip Man possibly operating in a supporting role via flashbacks.

Donnie Yen announces ‘Ip Man 5’

5. Ip Man 5 Can Focus On Wong Shun Leung

Wong Shun Leung Was Ip Man’s First Student. While it is common knowledge that Ip Man’s students included legendary martial artist and actor Bruce Lee, it is little known that his first student was the late Wing Chun master Wong Shun Leung. Played by actor and model Huang Xiaoming, Leung made a brief appearance in Ip Man 2 as Wong Shung, a brash young man with the potential to become Ip Man’s disciple. Ip Man 5, based on the real-life Leung, could return the character to a more developed role as a new Ip Man, dedicating his life to spreading his mentor’s teachings to the next generation.

4. Ip Man 5 Can Focus On Ip Chun and Ip Ching, Ip Man’s Sons

As seen in Ip Man 2 and Ip Man 3, Ip Man wanted his sons to have a much better education than himself and encouraged them to focus on more practical careers like accounting or business. Although Ip Chun and Ip Ching eventually listened to their father, they still learned the revered martial art. Ip Man 5 can focus on his sons’ journeys to carrying on their father’s legacy after his death. Considering Ip Chun has served as a technical advisor on the Ip Man films and even helped Yen prepare for the role of his father, he could be involved in the fifth movie in a similar capacity to ensure the story stays grounded and focused.

3. Ip Man 5 Can Focus On Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee Was Ip Man’s Most Famous Student. Bruce Lee debuted in the Ip Man franchise at the end of Ip Man 2 after professing he wanted to study under the famed grandmaster. After Lee displays his speed and dedication, Ip Man smirks and tells him to come back when he grows up. This stinger perfectly set up Lee’s future involvement with the franchise, and Ip Man 3 and Ip Man 4 increased his prominence and further developed his characterization. If Ip Man 5 were to focus on Lee somehow, it would be interesting to see how Ip Man’s death affected and even influenced the icon’s philosophies. Furthermore, a Bruce Lee-led Ip Man 5 could showcase precisely how Wing Chun factored into the development and creation of Lee’s signature Jeet Kune Do martial art.

2. Ip Man 5 Can Focus On Ip Man’s Life Prior To Becoming a Wing Chun Master

Ip Man’s life before he became the legendary Grandmaster as he is known today has not yet been fully explored, but Ip Man 5 may change that. There’s always a risk of deifying historical figures when adapting their lives, but showing Ip Man’s humble beginnings in poor China and his career as a police officer are things that could go a long way to recontextualizing him. Ip Man 5 could have leaned more heavily on the civil unrest Hong Kong was experiencing when he moved there and focused on how it inspired him to open his own self-defense school. These things would humanize Ip Man a little more and continue the franchise’s trend of bringing compelling drama to the action.

1. Ip Man 5 Can Explore New Themes

New Themes And New Characters Can Keep The Franchise Running. Yen confirmed that each Ip Man film has a unique theme, so each installment in the franchise isn’t just about martial arts. The theme of Ip Man 1 is survival, Ip Man 2 is making a living, Ip Man 3 is valuing life, and the theme of Ip Man 4: Endgame is centered around fighting bigotry. After Ip Man’s death, Ip Man 5 will be able to explore themes such as optimism and hope as they will perfectly cement Ip Man’s legacy. Whether through the lens of Ip Man’s sons, former rivals, Bruce Lee, or even a new character, Ip Man 5 will be able to explore these themes and hopefully keep the franchise alive.