Jackie Chan, a celebrated martial artist, actor, and filmmaker, has made an enduring impact on the world of cinema. Recognized for his remarkable acrobatics and groundbreaking stunts, he has taken the lead in memorable action-comedy movies such as Rush Hour and Police Story. His distinct fusion of humor and action has garnered him a dedicated global following.
In a 2022 episode of the reality TV series Memories Beyond Horizon, Jackie Chan, the iconic Hong Kong action star, candidly shared his reasons for turning away from American showbiz.
Jackie Chan Opens Up About His Struggles In US Film Industry
As a mentor to young actors from Hong Kong and China on the show, the martial arts icon and legendary actor opened up about his personal journey and challenges within the US film industry.
“When I went to America to film, my English was terrible… I had to spend a month just to memorize a single line — even when I was sleeping, I would read the line in my dreams,” Chan said, according to Asia One. “Many words that I wanted to say, I couldn’t. It was very frustrating.”
According to Jackie Chan, he faced difficulties with intonation and delivering English lines naturally. He mentioned that he would only receive approval when he managed to master his English dialogue.
“No one cared about whether my action sequences and scenes were good. They only praised me when I got my lines right!” he shared. “After that, I had to immediately return to my car to practice with my English teacher, and as I was practicing, I told myself, ‘I cannot continue like this.’ So I gave up on American showbiz.”
Commencing his journey as a stuntman in the 1980s, Chan eventually ascended to become a megastar in both the realms of Chinese cinema and Hollywood.
Language Was Big Hurdle For Jackie Chan
During a 1996 appearance on The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Chan openly discussed the hurdles he encountered in his initial days in America. He elaborated on how the language barrier impacted his everyday experiences.
“I think it [English] is the most difficult language… first time when I come to United States, I just, ‘Hello, my name is Jackie Chan.’ I even, I don’t know how to order food,” he said. “To me, action scenes are so easy, but dialogue scenes drive me crazy. The directors and producers want me to speak everything perfectly. I want to ask them, ‘Can I speak Jackie Chan English?'” Chan said. “To me, action scenes are so easy, but dialogue scenes drive me crazy. The directors and producers want me to speak everything perfectly. I want to ask them, ‘Can I speak Jackie Chan English?'”
While handling his own stunts, he grappled with challenges in Hollywood attributed to his English delivery, which consequently restricted the range of roles available to him.
Also read: “We’ll be thrilled”: Fans Demand Jackie Chan as Master Roshi in a Live-Action Dragon Ball Movie
Source: Yahoo
