John Woo

Characters played by John Woo

Inspector Wu — A Better Tomorrow (1986)

Police investigator working alongside Kit.

Liu Wenhui — The Founding of a Republic (2009)

Sichuan warlord and regional governor.

Career Overview

John Woo has 180 screen credits in a career dating back to 1962. Their work spans 14 cinematic universes — most prominently Young and Dangerous with 3 titles. Signature works include Mission: Impossible II, Face/Off, Broken Arrow. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For: Directing
Gender: male
Known Credits: 180
Birth Date: 1946-09-22
Birth Place: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 14 universes

Young and Dangerous (3 titles)
A Better Tomorrow (3 titles)
Warriors of the Rainbow: The Seediq Bale Saga (3 titles)
The King of Wuxia Collection (2 titles)
Founding of a Nation Trilogy (2 titles)
New China Trilogy (2 titles)
Cinema Hong Kong Collection (2 titles)
The Crossing Collection (2 titles)

Frequent Collaborators

William Morts (2 collaborations)
John Travolta (2 collaborations)
Tom Cruise (1 collaborations)
Dougray Scott (1 collaborations)
Thandiwe Newton (1 collaborations)
Ving Rhames (1 collaborations)
Richard Roxburgh (1 collaborations)
John Polson (1 collaborations)
Brendan Gleeson (1 collaborations)
Rade Šerbedžija (1 collaborations)

Credits

actors (54 credits)
- Twist & Shoot: Mister Suzuki
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- The King of Wuxia Part 2
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2022
- The King of Wuxia Part 1
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2022
- Life in 24 Frames a Second
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2021
- John Travolta, le miraculé d'Hollywood
  Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2017
- Ken San
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2016
- Voice
  
  - Episode 21 (2015) ... actor actors
  
  2012
- Beginning of the Great Revival
  Lin Sen
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- Kurosawa's Way
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- Mission: Remarkable - 40 Years of Creating the Impossible
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- The Founding of a Republic
  Liu Wenhui
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- How Bruce Lee Changed the World
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- Team-Up: John Woo and Shinji Aramaki
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- The Light and The Dark: The Making of Face/Off
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- The Making of Hard Boiled
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- The Making of Stranglehold
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- A Century of Light and Shadow
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- Crossings: John Woo
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- The Master: Chang Cheh Documentary
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- The Life and Times of Wu Zhong Xian
  As himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- Cinema Hong Kong: Wu Xia
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- Cinema Hong Kong: Kung Fu
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies
  Self - Interviewee
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2002
- Mission: Improbable
  John Woo
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2001
- Kurosawa: The Last Emperor
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1999
- Yang ± Yin: Gender in Chinese Cinema
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1998
- Task Force
  Police Chief
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1997
- Cinema of Vengeance
  Self (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1994
- Film ohne Fesseln - Das neue Hongkong Kino
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1993
- Hard Boiled
  Mr. Woo
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- Twin Dragons
  Priest
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- The Banquet
  Man on Stairs
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1991
- Once a Thief
  Stanley Wu
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1991
- Rebel from China
  Kwong
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1990
- Bullet in the Head
  Policeman
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1990
- Sunset in Paris
  Maggie's uncle
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1989
- Starry Is the Night
  Father Fan
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1988
- I Love Maria
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1988
- The Thirty Million Dollar Rush
  Ling's Husband
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1987
- A Better Tomorrow
  Inspector Wu
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1986
- Love, Lone Flower
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1985
- Happy Union 2
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1985
- Plain Jane to the Rescue
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1982
- From Riches to Rags
  [cameo]
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1980
- Itchy Fingers
  Triad Boss on Lorry
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1979
- Follow the Star
  Miss Chen's Father
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1978
- Hand of Death
  Zhang Yi
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1976
- Young Lovers on Flying Wheels
  Man at Bike Reclaim Centre
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1974
- The Young Dragons
  Message Deliverer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1974
- The Mandarin
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1973
- Dead Knot
  Boy
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1969
- Accidentally
  Young Man
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1968
- Golden Horse Awards
  
  - Episode 1 (1986) ... Self actor actors
  
  1962
directing (52 credits)
- Gambino
  director
  
  directing
  
  2026
- X-Crucior
  director
  
  directing
  
  2026
- The Killer
  director
  
  directing
  
  2024
- Silent Night
  director
  
  directing
  
  2023
- Manhunt
  director
  
  directing
  
  2017
- The Crossing II
  director
  
  directing
  
  2015
- The Crossing I
  director
  
  directing
  
  2014
- Reign of Assassins
  co-director
  
  directing
  
  2010
- Red Cliff II
  director
  
  directing
  
  2009
- Red Cliff
  director
  
  directing
  
  2008
- All the Invisible Children
  director
  
  directing
  
  2006
- The Robinsons: Lost in Space
  director
  
  directing
  
  2004
- Paycheck
  director
  
  directing
  
  2003
- Hostage
  director
  
  directing
  
  2002
- Windtalkers
  director
  
  directing
  
  2002
- Mission: Impossible II
  director
  
  directing
  
  2000
- Blackjack
  director
  
  directing
  
  1998
- Face/Off
  director
  
  directing
  
  1997
- Once a Thief
  director
  
  directing
  
  1996
- Broken Arrow
  director
  
  directing
  
  1996
- Hard Target
  director
  
  directing
  
  1993
- Hard Boiled
  director
  
  directing
  
  1992
- Once a Thief
  director
  
  directing
  
  1991
- Bullet in the Head
  director
  
  directing
  
  1990
- Just Heroes
  director
  
  directing
  
  1989
- The Killer
  director
  
  directing
  
  1989
- A Better Tomorrow II
  director
  
  directing
  
  1987
- A Better Tomorrow
  director
  
  directing
  
  1986
- Run Tiger Run
  director
  
  directing
  
  1985
- Heroes Shed No Tears
  director
  
  directing
  
  1984
- The Time You Need a Friend
  director
  
  directing
  
  1984
- Plain Jane to the Rescue
  director
  
  directing
  
  1982
- To Hell with the Devil
  director
  
  directing
  
  1982
- Laughing Times
  director
  
  directing
  
  1980
- From Riches to Rags
  director
  
  directing
  
  1980
- Last Hurrah for Chivalry
  director
  
  directing
  
  1979
- Hello, Late Homecomers
  director
  
  directing
  
  1978
- Follow the Star
  director
  
  directing
  
  1978
- Money Crazy
  director
  
  directing
  
  1977
- Hand of Death
  director
  
  directing
  
  1976
- Princess Chang-Ping
  director
  
  directing
  
  1976
- The Dragon Tamers
  director
  
  directing
  
  1975
- The Young Dragons
  director
  
  directing
  
  1974
- The Devils
  assistant director
  
  directing
  
  1973
- Fist to Fist
  assistant director
  
  directing
  
  1973
- Blood Brothers
  assistant director
  
  directing
  
  1973
- Four Riders
  assistant director
  
  directing
  
  1972
- Young People
  assistant director
  
  directing
  
  1972
- The Water Margin
  assistant director
  
  directing
  
  1972
- The Boxer from Shantung
  assistant director
  
  directing
  
  1972
- Dead Knot
  director
  
  directing
  
  1969
- Accidentally
  director
  
  directing
  
  1968
writing (30 credits)
- Better Tomorrow
  original film writer
  
  writing
  
  2026
- The Killer
  original film writer
  
  writing
  
  2024
- A Better Tomorrow
  original story
  
  writing
  
  2018
- Manhunt
  writer
  
  writing
  
  2017
- A Better Tomorrow
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  2010
- Red Cliff II
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  2009
- Red Cliff
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  2008
- Face/Off
  storyboard
  
  writing
  
  1997
- Hard Boiled
  story
  
  writing
  
  1992
- Once a Thief
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1991
- Bullet in the Head
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1990
- The Killer
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1989
- A Better Tomorrow II
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1987
- A Better Tomorrow
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1986
- Heroes Shed No Tears
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1984
- Plain Jane to the Rescue
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1982
- To Hell with the Devil
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1982
- Laughing Times
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1980
- From Riches to Rags
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1980
- Last Hurrah for Chivalry
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1979
- Hello, Late Homecomers
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1978
- Follow the Star
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1978
- Money Crazy
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1977
- Hand of Death
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1976
- Princess Chang-Ping
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1976
- The Dragon Tamers
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1975
- The Young Dragons
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1974
- The Ruthless Heart
  story
  
  writing
  
  1970
- Dead Knot
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1969
- Accidentally
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1968
production (37 credits)
- The Killer
  producer
  
  production
  
  2024
- Silent Night
  producer
  
  production
  
  2023
- Breaking the Waves
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2014
- Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale
  producer
  
  production
  
  2012
- Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Part 2: The Rainbow Bridge
  producer
  
  production
  
  2011
- Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Part 1: The Sun Flag
  producer
  
  production
  
  2011
- Color Me Love
  producer
  
  production
  
  2010
- A Better Tomorrow
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2010
- Reign of Assassins
  producer
  
  production
  
  2010
- My Fair Gentleman
  producer
  
  production
  
  2009
- Red Cliff II
  producer
  
  production
  
  2009
- Red Cliff
  producer
  
  production
  
  2008
- Appleseed: Ex Machina
  producer
  
  production
  
  2007
- Blood Brothers
  producer
  
  production
  
  2007
- The Making of Stranglehold
  producer
  
  production
  
  2007
- Paycheck
  producer
  
  production
  
  2003
- Bulletproof Monk
  producer
  
  production
  
  2003
- Red Skies
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2002
- Windtalkers
  producer
  
  production
  
  2002
- Blackjack
  producer
  
  production
  
  1998
- The Big Hit
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  1998
- The Replacement Killers
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  1998
- Somebody Up There Likes Me
  producer
  
  production
  
  1996
- Don't Cry, Nanking
  producer
  
  production
  
  1995
- Peace Hotel
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  1995
- Bullet in the Head
  producer
  
  production
  
  1990
- A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon
  producer
  
  production
  
  1989
- Ghost Bustin
  producer
  
  production
  
  1985
- Love, Lone Flower
  producer
  
  production
  
  1985
- Super Citizen
  producer
  
  production
  
  1985
- Run Tiger Run
  producer
  
  production
  
  1985
- Happy Union 2
  producer
  
  production
  
  1985
- Heroes Shed No Tears
  producer
  
  production
  
  1984
- Happy Union
  producer
  
  production
  
  1984
- The Idiot Assassin
  producer
  
  production
  
  1981
- The Private Eyes
  producer
  
  production
  
  1976
- Dead Knot
  producer
  
  production
  
  1969
crew (3 credits)
- The Replacement Killers
  choreographer
  
  crew
  
  1998
- The Mandarin
  second unit
  
  crew
  
  1973
- Begging
  thanks
  
  crew
  
  1970
editing (4 credits)
- Hard Boiled
  editor
  
  editing
  
  1992
- Bullet in the Head
  editor
  
  editing
  
  1990
- Dead Knot
  editor
  
  editing
  
  1969
- Accidentally
  editor
  
  editing
  
  1968

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q55432), public domain (CC0).