So now, Kung Fu Yoga has a total of 10 of these action sequences. With this movie, especially, I've felt quite pressured, as fans continue to ask for more and more. ST: Every movie we do with JC is a lot of pressure, since we are required to do five to seven action sequences starring Jackie that have never been done before anywhere else - not in other Chinese action films, not in Hollywood, nothing - so that means that in every single film, you have to figure out a bunch of different, original action sequences that also fit in the context of the story. Tong, how has your working relationship with Mr Chan changed over the course of your collaborations? Did you feel pressure working on this film? Then I go back to action again, then drama. When my fans start thinking I'm getting old and can't do action, I do Chinese Zodiac to show them I can, then I do a drama. One day I'll get old, and what would I do then? That's why I always try to show my audience that I'm an actor, that I can change. Everyone wants me to keep risking my life to do stunts, as my fans expect it. However, I knew that if I continued to work exclusively on those kinds of films, my career would be dead very soon.
I always wanted to be number one at the box office. That's why early in my career, I liked to keep doing the same things: Drunken Fist 1, Drunken Fist 2, so on. A long, long time ago, every movie I made had to be a success. What are your expectations when starring in a film these days? Do you still expect success, after having starred in so many films? So you can watch a funny Jackie in Kung Fu Yoga, then a more serious Jackie in another film. Later this year, I'll be starring in a film called The Foreigner, which is a very heavy film where you can see a different kind of Jackie Chan. It's very difficult, in my opinion, to make a movie that will be liked all around the world all the time. Americans may love Rush Hour, but the Chinese may not like it. But now I'm 62, and I don't care anymore about the box-office figures or what some people think about my films, as someone who likes Railroad Tigers may not like Skip Trace. That's how I've managed to remain on the top when it comes to action films. I want the audience to know that Jackie Chan isn't an "action star", but a star who can fight and do action. So, you see, my character changes back and forth between movies. One year I'll be working on something like Dragon's Blade, then Skip Trace, Railroad Tigers and now Kung Fu Yoga. These days, I try to change it so the audience's expectations won't grow stagnant. JC: Before, I used to do similar movies in succession, like Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2, Rush Hour 3 and so on. This year you've had another film coming out, Railroad Tigers. Kung Fu Yoga is the first of three planned movies to be produced with joint funding from the Chinese and Indian governments. are actually very tired this week, but the moment we see the fans, it's just. It's all for the fans.Įvery time I come around, they're just so happy. JC: are exactly why I keep risking my life to work so hard making movies.
How does it feel to be welcomed so warmly by your Thai fans? Life sat down to chat with Chan and Tong to talk about their new film.
Kung Fu Yoga is the story of a quest for lost treasure that takes Chan and his Indian co-stars - Aarif Rahman, Dasha Patani and Miya Muqi - from a Tibetan cave to India and Dubai. His generosity is well-known, especially because Chan has a special bond with Thailand, having spent two years living in Bangkok's Chinatown when he was nine years old. Together with Stanley Tong - the Hong Kong director who has worked on numerous films with Chan, from Police Story 3: Super Cop, Rumble In The Bronx and Police Story 4: First Strike - Chan recently made a stop to greet Thai fans at Siam Paragon, where he also took part in the local Cut for the South charity event, and donated HK$500,000 (about 2.4 million baht) to aid the disaster-stricken flood victims. The popular stuntman, director and actor - whose long career recently earned him an honorary Oscar for his "extraordinary achievements in film" on Nov 12 last year from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the first Chinese in history to receive the award - is back with his latest film, Kung Fu Yoga, a Chinese-Indian production set for Thailand release today. With over 200 films under his belt dating back to the 1960s, Jackie Chan needs no introduction. Photo courtesy of Golden Network/Sahamongkol Film
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