Despite being a “huge fan” of Michelle Yeoh, Quentin Tarantino declined to have her cast in the 2003 martial arts flick.

For many years, Michelle Yeoh has been an iconic figure in the martial arts world. Her work has influenced a wide range of people, and one of her most ardent fans is Quentin Tarantino. Despite her overwhelming praise, she was disappointed when the Pulp Fiction filmmaker chose not to cast her in Kill Bill: Volume 1.

Tarantino’s stories of stylized violence have always found a home in Hollywood. His films have solidified into acknowledged cult classics over the years, whether they are portraying the gritty underbelly of L.A. crime in Pulp Fiction (1994) or an action-packed war drama like Inglourious Basterds (2009). Kill Bill is not an exception either. Having said that, Uma Thurman’s character, The Bride, was greatly influenced by Yeoh’s role in her 1992 film Police Story 3: Super Cop, starring Jackie Chan.

However, the Malaysian actress was not cast by the director in Kill Bill: Volume 1. For years after, she was unable to convince Tarantino that she should have been in the well-known revenge movie. And all that said, the logic of the latter has some merit. She stated at the time that Tarantino’s response to her was, “Who would believe that Uma Thurman could kick your a*s?”.

Michelle Yeoh in Sunshine

Kill Bill: What Prevented Michelle Yeoh From Being a Part of This Film?

The friendship between Michelle Yeoh and Quentin Tarantino dates back a long time, and the 60-year-old director has never disguised his admiration for the former’s work. Actually, Yeoh’s role in Stanely Tong’s action/comedy Police Story 3: Super Cop had a direct influence on the resentful assassin in Kill Bill. Why, then, was she left out of one of his best action movies to date?

For a considerable amount of time, Yeoh was also plagued by the same question.

Uma Thurman in Kill Bill

The Crazy Rich Asians actress said in a Town & Country cover story that she had always questioned why Tarantino had not chosen her for Kill Bill or the film’s 2004 follow-up. She stated:

“He’s very smart. He said, ‘Who would believe that Uma Thurman could kick your a*s?’”
With a $30 million budget and a strong critical reception, the 111-minute flick made over $180 million worldwide, setting a record for the highest opening weekend gross of a Tarantino movie.

Michelle Yeoh Discussed the Skill and Inspiring Nature of Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino (via The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)

Speaking about Quentin Tarantino’s skill and capacity for inspiration, Michelle Yeoh also mentioned how the Oscar-winning filmmaker had urged her to carry on acting even after she fractured her vertebrae while filming The Stunt Woman in 1996. Yeoh, 61, recalled (via Town & Country):

“I must say, Quentin, he’s persistent. He is who he is today because he’s full of passion and love, so he wore me down. Suddenly we became animated. So then I thought, ‘Maybe I’m not ready to give up on this’.”

Additionally, in the interview, Tarantino also discussed his feelings for Yeoh, stating, “I am just a huge, huge fan of hers”, and that “there was always a twinkle in her eye.”

Quentin Tarantino. Credit: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Yeoh started her acting career in martial arts films and action flicks, including Tai Chi Master (1993), Wing Chun (1994), Yes, Madam (1985), Police Story 3: Super Cop (1992), and The Heroic Trio (1993). Also, her performances as Wai Lin in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) have made her an international sensation.

Next, we will see her as Madame Morrible in Wicked, helmed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

You can stream Kill Bill films on the Starz Apple TV Channel.