Who starred as the main characters in the 2001 film 'The One'?

Jet Li starred as multiple characters in 'The One,' notably playing the heroic Gabe Law and the villainous Gabriel Yulaw.

Was Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson considered for 'The One'?

Yes, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was initially considered for the main character role in 'The One' before Jet Li was cast.

What made Jet Li's performance unique in 'The One'?

Jet Li developed distinct fighting styles for his characters, Gabe Law and Gabriel Yulaw, to differentiate them.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Jet Li Fought Himself in 2001's 'The One'

Jet Li Fought Himself in 2001's 'The One'

31 Jan

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Summary

Jet Li starred in 'The One,' playing multiple variants of himself.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was considered for the lead role.
The film explored multiverse concepts before it was popular.

Jet Li Fought Himself in 2001's 'The One'

In the 2001 film 'The One,' a multiverse concept was masterfully explored with Hong Kong action star Jet Li in the lead role. Originally, the creative team considered Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson for the part, but Li's unparalleled martial arts expertise ultimately defined the film's action sequences. Li brilliantly embodied at least nine characters, with the central conflict revolving around two variants: the ordinary Gabe Law and the god-complex-driven Gabriel Yulaw.

This film utilized the multiverse to showcase Yulaw's mission to eliminate every version of himself. Li’s portrayal of the charismatic villain, Yulaw, was particularly captivating, adding a gleeful over-the-top quality to his quest for divinity. Simultaneously, Li brought an appealing heroic persona to Law, positioning him as the multiverse’s potential savior.

The choice to cast Jet Li over Dwayne Johnson was crucial, especially considering Johnson's acting capabilities in 2001 and the unique martial arts action Li brought. Li even developed distinct fighting styles for Law and Yulaw, adding subtle yet important differentiation. Despite the limitations of 2001 special effects, the film convincingly depicted confrontations between two Jet Lis.