Tom Cruise has long come out on top as the master of Hollywood’s death-defying stunts and jaw-dropping action. However, amid the glitz and glamour, there exists another force, a man who not only matches Cruise’s intensity but surpasses it with a blend of martial arts and physical comedy like no other. That man is none other than the legendary Jackie Chan.
The actor no longer participates in such activities, though, having seen his pals suffer serious injuries while attempting them.
Jackie Chan Is The Only Actor To Put As Much At Risk As Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise has been praised for his daring stunts and unwavering commitment to delivering adrenaline-pumping excitement on the silver screen. Yet, there is one actor who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Cruise in terms of putting everything on the line: Jackie Chan.
Just like Cruise, the 69-year-old has fearlessly embarked on numerous breathtaking stunts that leave audiences in awe.
From the iconic hot air balloon sequence in Armour Of God to the heart-pounding snowboard chase in First Strike, Chan has consistently embraced risks to deliver thrilling entertainment.
However, after a harrowing experience of witnessing his friends suffer injuries during a disastrous stunt, Chan now takes extra precautions and avoids specific risky actions.
The actor previously shared his experience in an interview, he explained,
“I remember when I was young. I was a stuntman. On the set when the director said. Does anybody know? Ahh.. riding a horse. Twenty stunt men everybody raises their hand except me. Then I said, Okay I should raise my hand because when you get a horse race you’ll have double pay.”
Further, The Karate Kid star added,
“So, all my friends got on the horse. Rolling Action they are all gone. I Just oh okay I’m waiting. Suddenly all horses came back empty. Then I look back at all my friend broken arms and broken ankles. That’s from that time I never raise my hand again. I am scare about horses. I’m just scare.”
Nonetheless, Chan’s undeniable ability to push boundaries and captivate audiences with his exhilarating performances solidifies his status as an unparalleled risk-taker in cinema.
Jackie Chan Wanted A Similar Career To Tom Cruise
Chan and the 61-year-old, two iconic names in the world of cinema, have captivated audiences with their awe-inspiring stunts and magnetic performances.
While Chan’s Rush Hour movies propelled his career to new heights in Hollywood, he also recognized their limitations in appealing to a specific audience.
Surprisingly, it has come to light that the artist once yearned for a career trajectory similar to that of Cruise, aiming to create movies that could unite all types of fans.
Chan acknowledged that films like Rumble in the Bronx resonated with his dedicated fanbase, while Rush Hour failed to captivate them. He aspired to be an actor who could transcend boundaries and unify audiences, similar to the likes of Cruise. In a previous interview, he previously shared,
“I want to have one audience like Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks. They have only one audience because from the beginning Asian fans know them. But for me, they know I am action, Hong Kong style.”
Chan acknowledged the challenges he faced in breaking away from his action-packed, Hong Kong-style image, expressing his belief that audiences were not yet prepared for his English-language films with fewer fights but more action.
Despite their divergent paths, both celebrities have left an indelible mark on the industry, serving as a constant source of inspiration for generations of moviegoers.
Source: YouTube
