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The comical kung fu master throws down about his wussiest costar, his bruising opera school days, and the last time he took on six Triad gangsters and walked away.
Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore, Tobey Maguire: They’re what pass for action heroes these days?
In movies like The Matrix and X-Men, the actors don’t even have to be there! They CGI everything. It looks like a cartoon. It’s lazy. When I ask friends, “How is the movie?” they say, “Wow! The special effects, good!” But nobody says, “The actors, good! Actresses, good!” I think special effects are not the real deal. But if the Matrix directors asked me to be in a movie, I dunno…big dilemma!
So who’s the real deal, besides yourself?
None. There are so many good martial arts actors around, but no one discovers them. Now movies just use a lot of special effects. But I do think American stunt men are better. In American movies, you’re always talking about big stunts—helicopter jumping, explosions, motorcycles, leaping 200 feet onto air bags. I do much smaller things.
Tell us what your new movie, The Medallion, is about.
It’s interesting, because this is the first time I die in a movie. I die in the beginning,
and then I’m like a ghost. I wanted to do something different. I don’t always want to do things like Rush Hour and Shanghai Knights…so I think, I die in a movie? OK!
That’s ironic, since you’ve nearly killed yourself in every previous film.
Yeah, but a lot of that is rumor. I have broken a lot of things…my nose, my ankle, my knee, my ribs, my back, my finger, my shoulder. My tooth is gone, and I had an operation on my head. But not every bone! You know, when you get hurt, you don’t feel it. Things happen so quick—boom! crack! Usually, I hear the sound and look down and say, “Oh! My foot is upside down!”
How’d you get so tough?
When I was six and a half, my father sent me to a Beijing opera school. It was like the movie Fame. You know Fame? [sings] “I’m gonna live forever…” But it was not only dancing. In our school they teach you kicking, punching, acrobatics, singing, acting, so many things. And the teacher would hit you. In these schools if the teacher hit you and you die, it’s OK. But now, of course, if you hit children, they can sue you.
Ah, the good ol’ days. When was the last time you got into a real street fight?
Oh, that’s a long time ago…when I was 18.
Did you kick ass?
Yeah, I kicked somebody’s ass. But I also got hurt myself.
What happened? Too much Tsingtao?
I was walking with my friend on the street, and there were these six guys on motorcycles. So I say to my friend, “One day I’m gonna buy one of those motorcycles.” I
pointed at one, and this guy turns around and says, “What the fuck you pointing at?” I think he was a Triad. I was shocked. I said, “Nothing, I just said one day I’m going to get one of those motorcycles.” Then my friend kicked a bike, and all six motorcycles fell—boom, boom, boom, boom. [laughs] All of a sudden, we’re all fighting—six people against two. It was only, like, 30 seconds, but it was so tiring. All six guys got knocked down real quick. Then we ran.
You’re still kicking Triad ass by speaking out against mob involvement in the Hong Kong film industry. Ever worry you’ll wake up next to a panda head?
I used to. But now I realize I cannot hide anymore. So I go out and talk to the newspaper, “Hey, all mafia, if you have the guts, come. Come to my office.” Instead they call and threaten people. But I tell friends, “Don’t be frightened. If you take a step forward, they take a step back. They’re always in the shadows; we are in the light.” We should not be afraid of them. It’s only when you get scared and go, [in a meek voice] “Oh, oh, what can I do?” that they know you’re frightened.
Speaking of scary, is it true a lot of female fans committed suicide when they found out that you were going to get married?
Yeah, 18 or 20 years ago. One girl committed suicide in the subway. Then a second girl committed suicide in front of my office. That’s when I told my girlfriend that we should be quiet, undercover. But now it’s OK. Today my fans are from four years old to 80. They love me, but it’s a different kind of love.
Do your costars hate you? We hear you’re pretty demanding of them when it comes to doing stunts.
Yes, but I’m not telling them to do any stunts they don’t know how to do. Just enough so the audience knows it’s them.
Who’s been the biggest wuss on set?
Owen Wilson. He’s always saying, “Jackie, I’m not this kind of actor. My character is not the fighter.” So I only have him do quick things like the “kung pow chicken” in Shanghai Knights—one punch, then he catches a hat.
Not Chris Tucker?
Chris Tucker always wants to do stunts!—“I want to do that! Lemme try this!” Jennifer Love Hewitt, too. She likes to try things.
Is there some monster stunt you’ve been wanting to try?
No. I’m not doing those crazy things anymore. I only do stunts that would be a bit more
difficult for a normal human being. Motorcycle jumping, explosions…a lot of people do those kinds of stunts. So that’s why I choose the clever way. My Jackie Chan way. I want to be between normal and Superman.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I’m really scared of needles. Even when I’m watching TV and there’s an operation with needles, I have to close my eyes. I don’t know why. Oh, and boats. I get seasick.
Are action films getting harder to do as you get older?
I think one day I have to retire from action. I want to turn into an actor. I want to be Robert DeNiro. I am going to make a period drama next year. With no punching! But after that I do Rush Hour 3.
Finally, how much cash is in your pocket right now?
None! When I’m filming I don’t need money. The studios give me hotel and car with driver!
The Medallion is kicking butt in theaters right now. Haiii-ya!
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