Heir To The Throne
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Since 1973, the martial-arts world has been searching for the next Bruce Lee, and it wasn't until 1978 after the National release of Snake In The Eagle's Shadow, did most even know who Jackie Chan was. His follow-up film Drunken Master, did even better and sealed his fate as the Orient's NEW "King of Kung Fu" breaking all previous records set by Bruce Lee. Well, (20) years later, they haven't forgotten him; in fact they can't seem to get enough of him. But, the best thing that helped to set him apart from all of the pretenders was to NOT act like Bruce Lee, because if he did, he'd have joined the rest of those talented people with forgettable names. He became famous because he played himself, not an imitation of Lee.
Instead of acting like Lee, he gave audiences his best version of Jackie Chan -- and they loved it. He really honed his skills and learned as much as he could about the business and marketing and came out on top. When Raymond Chow purchased his contract from director Lo Wei, he gave Chan free reign to be himself and just concentrate on making hit films. Somewhere along the way, he started performing death-defying stunts, the type that no other star has ever done since martial arts movies began. Seriously, no one can touch him in the stunt-department. Yet, he didn't settle for being an excellent stuntman, but a director, choreographer, actor, and a Singer. When he started showing the Out-takes from his films/stunts, it was letting people see that he was Human too and that he made mistakes while trying to make excellent films. |
He quest for excellence has almost caused him his life on many occasions, but none quite as unforgettable as his 1986 accident while filming Amour Of God. While trying to jump in a tree, he fell almost (50) feet, landing on his head. They had to operate of his skull and he was up the next day joking about the incident. Throughout his career, even as a stuntman, he has been so involved in the industry and trying to make a name for himself, that it was just a matter of time. He has helped to reshape the genre, even when it started heading in the New Wave (Modern) direction, he gave us films like Project A and Police Story, which virtually changes the way action films in Hong Kong were shot. He set up film companies (Authority Films and Golden Way Films), which helped others get their feet (and their films) into doors that may have never opened otherwise.
Though, it took him (3) tries here on American soil to try and gain "Lee-like" exposure, he has gained the type of fan-base that's icons are made of. With the release of the film Rush Hour, he became a Superstar in American (something he's wanted ever since The Big Brawl). Indeed, he has come full-circle in his never-ending quest to give the audience what they ask for - Action. His contributions to the "Kung Fu" genre won't be soon forgotten because; he's still giving them to us. He's still looking for new and inventive ways to entertain audiences, and judging by his track record, you'll only have to wait until his next movie.
[ 36 Most Influential ]
Though, it took him (3) tries here on American soil to try and gain "Lee-like" exposure, he has gained the type of fan-base that's icons are made of. With the release of the film Rush Hour, he became a Superstar in American (something he's wanted ever since The Big Brawl). Indeed, he has come full-circle in his never-ending quest to give the audience what they ask for - Action. His contributions to the "Kung Fu" genre won't be soon forgotten because; he's still giving them to us. He's still looking for new and inventive ways to entertain audiences, and judging by his track record, you'll only have to wait until his next movie.
[ 36 Most Influential ]