Before cementing his name into the top realms of industry and becoming one of the most beloved global action stars, Jackie Chan wasn’t sure if he could find success in Hollywood. After witnessing the shift in the technique of filmmaking in Hollywood in comparison to his Chinese blockbusters, the Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow star was skeptical about his career in Hollywood.
The actor also expressed that in Hollywood, action stars were mostly overshadowed by technology in movies, including The Terminator, Rambo, and Jurassic Park. He also claimed that anyone could replace the leads and it wouldn’t affect the movie much.
Jackie Chan felt that Hollywood action stars were overshadowed by special effects
Although it is now impossible to imagine anyone except Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator franchise and Sylvester Stallone in the Rambo franchise, Jackie Chan didn’t use to feel the same way. Following his initial struggle to find his footing in Hollywood as an action star, Jackie Chan Believed that in Hollywood, actors were often overshadowed by special effects in action movies.
He explained that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone can be easily replaced in The Terminator and Rambo and it wouldn’t impact the film much. He said,
“Take Terminator 2. The director’s good; the special effects are good; Schwarzenegger is nothing. Anyone could have played his part. Take First Blood. Stallone is good. But in Asia, everyone comes to see Jackie Chan in a Jackie Chan film. It doesn’t matter what the title is or what the story is about. Only Jackie Chan can do it,”
But despite his initial doubts about his career in Hollywood, which almost led the actor to leave the industry behind. The Rush Hour star would soon find motivation from his friend Sylvester Stallone, which would lead him to continue finding success in the industry.
Sylvester Stallone motivated Jackie Chan to continue to find his footing in Hollywood
After failing to make it big in his initial phase in Hollywood, the Rush Hour actor almost decided to leave the industry. However, after he came across Sylvester Stallone in the sets of Demolition Man, and found that everyone respected his work, he felt proud. Chan later revealed that this moment was the turnaround in his career, as it reignited his desire to succeed in Hollywood. He wrote,
“My burgeoning friendship with Stallone—now twenty-five years strong—gave me the inspiration to try one more time”
The actor would eventually find success and went on to form a deep bond with both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. Chan would also win the Academy Award for his Lifetime Achievement in Hollywood in 2016, cementing his name into the top realms of the industry.
Source: Bright Lights
