The blockbuster comedy franchise Rush Hour was a result of the successful collaboration between actors Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. However, in the initial days of working together, Chan would sometimes feel unsettled due to Tucker’s unique acting style.
According to The Numbers, Rush Hour was one of the most successful films of both Chan and Tucker and grossed a massive $245 million worldwide despite being made on a relatively modest budget. Its overwhelming success led to producing two more sequels, with Rush Hour 2 earning the top spot as the highest-grossing film in the franchise.
What Made Rush Hour Such A Success
Despite being credited for their chemistry and unique dynamic, Jackie Chan has been unable to explain the exact reason for the enormous success of Rush Hour. Many critics have praised their onscreen partnership as a significant factor in the film’s success. The duo’s unconventional pairing helped create one of the most memorable and successful buddy cop movies. However, Chan has remained somewhat perplexed by the film’s popularity and has been unable to identify any specific elements that set it apart from other films in the genre.
“Even myself, I have no idea why the film was so successful,” Chan told LA Times. “There are so many buddy movies already. You know Lethal Weapon, 48 HRS.–so many already. I think with Rush Hour it was just good timing. Why? Because after Rumble in the Bronx was a success, then everyone went to rent the videos of Drunken Master, First Strike, and the others. They kept looking at all the old films.”
Chan speculated that the increased attention he received from Western audiences around the time of Rush Hour‘s release could have contributed to the film’s success.
Jackie Chan Hated Chris Tucker’s Improvisation While Filming
At first, Chan found it difficult to remember the dialogue of Rush Hour, which contained a lot of slang due to Tucker’s character. This occasionally left the actor feeling confused. Chan found it even more challenging when Tucker improvised during filming, as the comedian often modified his improvisations from what they had rehearsed earlier.
While Tucker was known to practice improvisation during rehearsals, Chan found it somewhat confusing to keep up with his co-star’s unscripted moments during filming. Tucker held Chan in high regard for his expertise in choreography, which was as much of a highlight of Rush Hour as its comedy. The comedian himself had the opportunity to witness Chan’s vision firsthand. He said,
“He’d get there the day before and pick up a trash can and a broom and work it into the action. Then he’d tell me, ‘You do one, two, three punches, and make it so simple I looked like I knew what I was doing. I never interfered. I’d just say, ‘You work it out and call me to the set when you’re ready.”
Rush Hour is available for streaming on HBO Max.
Also Read: “No s*x, no violence, no F-words”: Jackie Chan Revealed Why Fans Will Never Stop Loving His Movies
Source: Cheatsheet
