Then after I know I have to do that kind of movement and it makes me scared. Q: So did you tell James Brown that you were a big fan of his?Ī: "Of course! Yes I did! Because when I see-I big fan of his the way he dances. So I never listen towards of song, I only listen to music for my training."
What's that? When I listen to rap song, I only use the beat for me to train, what are they saying? I don't know. When I listen to American song-I like 'You are always on my mind, you are always on my mind' I like this kind of song. I have my own album in Asia but different kind of song. Q: So let's talk about this movie-you know the ballroom James Brown strut? How did you do that? Singing, dancing and doing the splits and all?Ī: "Split it kind of easy. Even though I think my Asian film Accidental Spy, 10 times better than Rush Hour 2! Has anybody seen Accidental Spy? You see it?" But Asian market film cannot release in American market, only direct to video. So right after Rush Hour 2, now I'm doing my next movie, Around the World in 80 Days, right after that I go back to Hong Kong to make Titanium Ring. Yeah, right now I know making a film for American market and every year I go back to make Asian film for Asian market. Q: So why are you doing Rush Hour 3 then?Ī: "American market. Nobody go to see it! Yeah! Only 12 million! My movie, I make a Hong Kong film and it make 50 million! You see the difference? If Rush Hour not starring Jackie Chan, I think it only make half million in Hong Kong-that's all!" "Now with Asian film I am right! I know what works and what doesn't. I realize, okay, anything I think not funny means, it's funny." So now from that time on, I really listen to whatever Owen tell me to say-whatever Chris Tucker tell me to say. I don't get American culture, American dialogue.
Something I don't like is successful like Rush Hour, I make the movie and I tell my manager, 'See I should never make this kind of movie!' Then I go to Asia to make Asian film and they call me and say, 'Jackie, big hit! It success!' I say what? Then I make Rush Hour 2 and I hate it! Worse than Rush Hour 1! And they call me and say, 'It success!' Then I slowly realize, okay, I still have Chinese mind, I have 'hometown' mind. It best American film I made so far!"Ī: "I can't tell-you have to go see it! You go see it-maybe I'm wrong! I like American people, and I think they will like it. After Rush Hour 3, then talking about making Shanghais Dawn. Right now we talking about 2004, Rush Hour 3. Now I'm tired of the same, Rush Hour 1, Rush Hour 2, 3,4,5,6,7-I'm tired."Ī: "Yeah, there is. But I want to do different characters in different movies. Wow, pure drama! Then I do Shanghais for comedy action, then Spy Game, then Rush Hour 2, then Gladiator, then Tuxedo. Then my second movie should be like a Kramer vs. Then I realize, the best way to have my career is Rush Hour. I fly to New York to see Ang Lee, and see what he says. I'm tired of doing Rush Hour, Shanghais Noon, Hong Kong films, police stories. Q: Jackie, why did you choose this particular story-why The Tuxedo?Ī: "A few years ago I tell my manager that I want to do something different. Jackie was refreshingly honest about his career choices, candid about his take on Hollywood, pleasantly frank about how mystified he is with the American sense of humor, and genuinely humble about his popularity and adoration of his fans. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jackie at a press event promoting his new film, The Tuxedo. Through hard work, perseverance, determination and a spirit that wouldn't quit, Jackie Chan is a shining example of what a dream can become if you never give up on it. Jackie's climb to the top is the stuff Hollywood legends are made of, but the best part about his fame is that he's earned every bit of it. Kids look up to Jackie as a role model, and his older fans respect him for his longevity. He deservedly has earned his reputation as an action superstar not only with the older male crowd but with women and children as well. He has a knack for making every trick look easy and can turn a serious scene into a light moment as soon as he opens his mouth. Jackie is a powerhouse on the big screen-an explosive whirl of martial arts maneuvers that almost leaves you thinking you've watched a fight choreographed to a ballet. I vaguely remember hearing of Jackie Chan in the late '70s when he attempted to become known as "the next Bruce Lee." But it wasn't until the '90s that I (like the rest of America) got my first taste of just how funny and talented this veteran Asian superstar really is.