The 2000 action film served as the first lead role for both actors.

Jet Li recalls bonding with late Romeo Must Die costar Aaliyah: ‘She’s always in my heart’

The 2000 action film served as the first lead role for both actors.

By Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence is a former associate editor at **. He left EW in 2022.

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May 8, 2026 7:22 p.m. ET

Jet Li and Aaliyah at 'Romeo Must Die' premiere. Credit:

SGranitz/WireImage

- Jet Li is fondly looking back on the 2000 film *Romeo Must Die*.

- Li said that he bonded with costar and onscreen love interest Aaliyah.

- The late singer is "still in my heart," according to Li.

This year will mark 25 years since the tragic death of music superstar Aaliyah. And despite how long she's been gone, her *Romeo Must Die* leading man Jet Li says that she's "still in my heart."

The 2000 action film was a breakout moment for Li and Aaliyah, as the Chinese martial artist and young singer were both taking on their first starring roles in Hollywood. And even though she was only 20 years old and making her acting debut, Aaliyah guided Li through the process.

"*Romeo Must Die* was a very important movie in my career," Li told PEOPLE. "Aaliyah worked with me, line by line. We worked together for days on how to act, how to have a relationship on the screen."

Jet Li and Aaliyah in 'Romeo Must Die'.

Kharen Hill 2000 Warner Bros.

Li added that they would go to dinner after their day of shooting, with her mom and his brother joining them: "We'd sit together just like a family, very warm."

*Romeo Must Die* was loosely based on William Shakespeare's *Romeo and Juliet*, taking place in contemporary Oakland, Calif. Li played Han Sing, a former Hong Kong cop who heads to Oakland after his brother is murdered. Han unknowingly walks into a brewing war between his Triad boss father and local gang leader Isaak O'Day (Delroy Lindo). And, of course, Han can't help but be drawn to Isaak's daughter Trish (Aaliyah).

The same went for Li, who called Aaliyah "very charming and pretty."

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The film grossed more than $90 million, and Li then went on to front a number of Hollywood action movies. Aaliyah was also bound to be a movie star, booking the Anne Rice adaptation *Queen of the Damned* and being up for a key role in *The Matrix* sequels. But, in August 2001, Aaliyah, along with eight others, died in a plane crash in the Bahamas. The five-time Grammy nominee was only 22.

"I say that while the physical part of her has left us, mentally, she's always here," Li said. "She's always in my heart. Every time I come to the States, people still talk a lot about Aaliyah. I say she's still in my heart. I always feel that she's there. She's living on in a lot of people's hearts."

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