The initial joint appearance of Jackie Chan and Jet Li was witnessed in the 2008 film The Forbidden Kingdom. However, there’s an additional element of this collaboration that hasn’t garnered as much spotlight. Within the narrative of The Forbidden Kingdom, the movie-goers are introduced to an added dimension.
The storyline revolves around an American teenager named Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano), a fervent aficionado of kung fu movies, who unexpectedly finds himself transported back to ancient China after acquiring the golden staff of the Monkey King (Jet Li).
Jackie Chan Waited Long To Work With Jet Li
Crafted by John Fusco, drawing inspiration from a tale he shared with his son, The Forbidden Kingdom serves as a sort of homage to Wu Cheng’en’s renowned literary masterpiece, Journey to the West.
The film further stands out for presenting Jackie Chan and Jet Li in a martial arts confrontation for the first time, immortalized through a spectacular combat sequence choreographed by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping. Yet, The Forbidden Kingdom is not only a salute to this specific aspect but also an acknowledgment of a significant sub-genre within martial arts cinema. Jackie Chan wanted to collaborate with Jet Li for a long time.
“Jet Li is one of my target… Because he is an action star, I’m an action star, the fans, the media always bring up on the newspaper. Me and him know each other for thirty years, we’re just ordinary people, we are no superstars, movies is just our job,” Chan said.
During the ’70s, ’80s, and well into the ’90s, the Shaw Brothers studio emerged as a remarkably prolific creator of kung fu films, essentially forging a distinctive identity within the realm of martial arts cinema. As much as The Forbidden Kingdom is a testament to the entire martial arts film genre, it particularly pays homage to the legacy of Shaw Brothers kung fu movies.
A Secret Milestone For Jackie Chan
Enhancing the distinctiveness of The Forbidden Kingdom’s nods to Shaw Brothers is the notable fact that it brings Jackie Chan closest to being a part of one. While Jet Li took the helm as the protagonist in the 1986 Shaw Brothers film Martial Arts of Shaolin (Li’s sole venture with Shaw Brothers), Jackie Chan’s presence was absent from the realm of Shaw Brothers productions. In fact, Chan declined the opportunity to work with the Shaw Brothers studio during his early career, opting for Golden Harvest as his home studio while he embarked on carving his own identity.
Films that honor their cinematic counterparts or entire genres possess an enchanting allure, and The Forbidden Kingdom carries a distinctive endearment for the timeless martial arts creations of Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and other prominent luminaries. This affection resonates within every frame of the movie.
However, The Forbidden Kingdom distinctly holds a deep-seated affection for the Shaw Brothers’ dimension of kung fu cinema. While the spotlight remains on the significance of Jackie Chan and Jet Li’s inaugural collaboration, the film’s genuine admiration for the Shaw Brothers’ contributions to the world of kung fu movies forms yet another layer of its enjoyable and nostalgic attributes.
Source: YouTube