One of the things that many actors try to avoid is being typecast in show business. Jackie Chan, who gained popularity with his action movies, felt that he also needed to explore more than action to keep his fans happy with what he presented them. The actor shared that he wanted more acting-based roles that did not require multiple fighting sequences to make them interesting and would be pleasing to his fans everywhere.
Jackie Chan Wanted More Acting Based Movies
Before making his way to Hollywood, Jackie Chan established himself as an action superstar in Asia. The actor was featured in multiple action films, as people started falling in love with his innovative stunts and impressive martial arts techniques. He had his Hollywood breakthrough alongside Chris Tucker with the 1998 action comedy Rush Hour.
While the film was a big success in Hollywood, his fans in other parts of the world did not find it that interesting. During an interview with Blackfilm, Chan shared that he wanted to continue making movies for his Asian fans, as films like Rush Hour “didn’t appeal to his fans” everywhere.
“My films are big successes everywhere, but Rumble in the Bronx, that’s Jackie Chan fans. But those Jackie Chan fans, they watch Rush Hour and they don’t like it.”
He shared that he wanted to be a star instead of being an action star and wanted more acting-based roles and movies. The Vanguard star shared that he also wanted fans and “one audience” like the Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks. Chan shared how their films are loved equally everywhere, but for him, it was not the same. So, he decided to slowly make changes to the character he portrayed in films.
Jackie Chan Felt His 2002 Film Could Get Him One Audience
Jackie Chan shared that he wanted to star in a film that appealed equally to his fans in Asia and the West. And he felt that his 2002 film The Tuxedo could be that one film. He said, “My next movie is a Spielberg movie Tuxedo.”
The Police Story star shared that he went to Steven Spielberg to get a role in Jurassic films, but the director suggested The Tuxedo instead. Chan claimed that he felt like this could be the one film that “can get one audience.” When asked if the sequel to his 1998 Rush Hour film would be liked by his fans in Asia, he said, “I don’t know.”
He claimed that his fans in Asia might not find it as good due to the “English humor.” But they would still support him and will go to see the movie. Chan also said that he was very specific about his movie for “American audiences” and “for [his] own audience” in Asia.
Source: Blackfilm