Chinese-American actor and martial artist Daniel Wu boasts an impressive filmography in Asia. And now he's set on conquering the West. His US TV series "Into the Badlands" was recently renewed for a second season, and he has a "monstrous" role in the movie based on the video game Warcraft, which has opened in theaters.

Starring as an evil orc in the movie Warcraft, Daniel Wu's has literally had a transformative year.

Super: "Warcraft", Courtesy of Legendary

And in more ways than one. As executive producer, and star, of Into the Badlands, the actor smashed through bad guys and Hollywood barriers.

Super: Into the Badlands, Courtesy AMC

Wu plays Sunny, the show's conflicted hero - a rarity for Asian Americans, made rarer by the fact that he's in a romantic relationship.

Wu says Into the Badlands has been the hardest work of his life-having to double duty with drama scenes and fight scenes more complex than anything on U.S. television. 

In Oakland, California, Daniel Wu stays in shape physically and mentally before filming for season two begins.

He's trained in Shaolin Kung Fu, Wushu, Muay Thai and western boxing.

He's working out for two and-a-half hours, five days a week.

But at 41 years-old - and having suffered numerous injuries including an ACL tear - Wu's more focused than ever on Martial Arts Yoga-aimed at keeping him flexible, efficient and fully aware of his body.

"I'm trying to get across changing the mind from a goal-oriented mind to a longevity oriented mind. I feel all great martial artists know how to punch and kick, but the idea is get deeper to where the kicks don't erode your body, where the techniques actually expand your body and don't erode it away," said Matt Lucas, martial artist and trainer, Open Matt.