Introduction
In my opinion, two of the most influential fight choreographers are Bob Anderson and Yuen Woo-Ping. Their work in not only utilizing the sword, but in using it to tell the story, links their contributions to the world of martial arts in film. While their approaches are different, their impact is undeniable. An actress that is part of both Bob Anderson’s and Yuen Woo-Ping’s legacy is Natasha Liu Bordizzo, best known for roles in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016), Day Shift (2022), and Ashoka (2019-2023).
Early Training and Martial Arts Background
Natasha Liu Bordizzo on screen roles demonstrate her martial arts background. She practiced taekwondo for five years, earning her black belt when she was in her mid-teens. She told Vouge that her parents offered her two choices, martial arts or dance classes. She says her response was, “Martial arts, definitely. I’m not a ballerina – come on!” Bordizzo credits her martial arts background for her successful audition of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016). For films like Day Shift (2022), she also studied kenpo karate, which translates well to cinematic close-quarter combat, demonstrating her ability to adapt her martial skills to the screen.
Film Career Highlights
Her work with the sword began in earnest under Yuen Woo-Ping for her role in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016). She trained five days a week, 9:00am-6:00pm, with the legendary sword choreographer in order to perfect her own screen depiction of Wudang sword. A few years later, she trained with Ming Qiu to master lightsaber combat for her role in Ahsoka (2023), blending Qiu’s wushu expertise with her own martial foundation. Her sword work in this role honors the legacy established by Bob Anderson, but blends Ming Qiu’s (Agents of Shield [2013-2020], Obi –Wan Kenobi [2022], The Mandalorian [2019-2022]) wushu background to give it a modern look. This makes Natasha Liu Bordizzo unique in that she has studied the styles developed by two of the greatest fight choreographers.
Analysis of Sword Style and Screen Presence
Natasha Liu Bordizzo’s sword work stands out for its fluidity and adaptability. In Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016), her movements follow the flowing, circular patterns of Wudang sword. In Ahsoka (2023), she blends wushu-inspired strikes with cinematic flair, creating dynamic lightsaber sequences. Her confidence and expressiveness make every duel feel narratively grounded, not merely technical. Unlike many contemporaries, Bordizzo fuses Eastern martial traditions with modern cinematic choreography, bridging the legacy of masters like Yuen Woo-Ping and Bob Anderson. This hybrid style marks her as a distinctive presence in contemporary action cinema.
Conclusion
Natasha Liu Bordizzo is a rising star and one that is worth watching. Her breakout role in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016) and her role in Gong Shou Dao (2017) allowed her to work with martial arts cinema elites like Michele Yeoh, Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, Wu Jing, Sammo Hung, and Jet Li. She has also wielded a lightsaber for her role in the Star Wars series Ashoka (2023). A film resume such as this makes her future success a sure bet.
- From Wudang Sword to Lightsaber: Natasha Liu Bordizzo and the Legacy of Cinematic Fight Choreography - January 26, 2026
- Yuen Woo-Ping: Shaping Narratives One Sword Stroke at a Time - December 11, 2025
- Bob Anderson: Modern Day Sword Master - November 24, 2025
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