“I taught kids about drinking liquor”: Jackie Chan Had to Radically Change His $34M Movie to Become an Ideal Role Model After Gaining Cheap Success

Do you enjoy watching martial arts flicks? So you should put the 1978 movie Drunken Master on your watch list. The movie, which starred Jackie Chan as the Chinese folk hero ‘Wong Fei-Hung’, is a timeless masterpiece of martial arts cinema. In doing so, this Yuen Woo-ping-directed film helped the Rush Hour actor establish himself as a household name in Asia.

Chan and Woo-ping’s second collaboration came with Drunken Master, which was released later that year following the success of Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow. The success of Drunken Master led to the Hong Kong actor accepting the creative position for Drunken Master II, where he was able to address some of the problems he had with the overall presentation of the first film. 

So, when the time came for a Drunken Master sequel, it only made sense for Chan to have a bigger say in the direction of the film. Although Lau Kar-Leung, who died on June 25, 2013, directed Drunken Master II, The Karate Kid actor wanted to change the plot to better fit his vision.

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Jackie Chan’s Evolution From Drunken Master to Extraordinary Role Model

Jackie Chan portrayed a younger, more impulsive Wong Fei-Hung in the 1978 film Drunken Master, who took up martial arts as a means of developing his emotional stability. Every fight featured his hilarious expressions and incredible moves. It was indeed a clever blend of comedy and martial arts action.

In the sequel, which was released much later, Fei-Hung was depicted as being older and dealing with both a volatile temper and a kung fu style that called for consuming copious amounts of alcohol. Chan aimed to better engage younger viewers with the sequel movie’s message. 

The Hong Kong actor provided an explanation in an interview for the 35th anniversary of the first movie (via Films Extras):

“When I saw ‘Drunken Master’ after I became popular — it is a great movie, but I was a little disappointed. Because I taught kids about drinking liquor and I hit people through the movie. So when I directed the last half of ‘Drunken Master 2’, I adjusted the wrong parts of the story right away. Too much drinking and fighting are wrong.”

Also read: “At least I die for myself”: Jackie Chan Pleaded With Director to Keep His One Request While Performing Near-Fatal Stunt in $34M Movie With Michelle Yeoh

What Prevented Jackie Chan From Making Drunken Master 3?

Despite being among Jackie Chan’s most cherished movies, the third Drunken Master movie was never made. Although there is a Drunken Master III, there is no connection to the Police Story actor. 

Andy Lau, Michelle Reis, Willie Chi, Simon Yam, Lau Kar-leung, Adam Cheng, and Gordon Liu appeared in the 1994 film Drunken Master III, which was directed by Lau Kar-leung. 

Chan has been approached about taking the lead role in Drunken Master 3, but he insisted that his participation would depend on a strong script. Even then, the actor was hesitant to reprise his role as the Drunken Master. He elaborated when the conversation turned to sequels (via IGN):

“We’ve been talking about Drunken Master 3 for a long time but nobody can write the script. Drunken Master 1 I teach drinking, fighting, drinking, fighting and the audience liked it. Everybody ‘Ha, ha, ha.’ But then I grew up and realised I’m wrong. I send out the wrong message. I have to make Part 2 to tell the audience ‘Don’t drink! Don’t fight!’ I have to correct myself. All those years slowly correct everything.”

The 69-year-old actor claimed that Drunken Master II’s conclusion left his character’s future unclear:

“I believe after Drunken Master 2 – stop – better than we make no more. Unless we have a better script. Just like lately they want to make Rush Hour 4. I said ‘No, show me the script first. I don’t need another Rush Hour 4. You need Rush Hour 4. Show me the script.’ I don’t want to do a rubbish script just because they want to make the movie.”

Despite its name, Drunken Master III was not a continuation of the Drunken Master film franchise and was generally regarded as an imitator.

Well, Chan’s next appearance will be in Rush Hour 4, the fourth entry in the Rush Hour film series, which also stars Chris Tucker. 

You can stream Drunken Master on Amazon Prime Video, while Drunken Master II can be rented on Apple TV. 

Also read: “He was just like a normal person”: Jackie Chan Had an Unexpected Response After Steven Spielberg’s Strange Request Left Him Stunned in First Meeting

Source- Films Extras