Jackie Chan gave an interview to the American tabloid New York Post at the end of August. We offer you a translation of an article entitled "How action films contributed to the rapid success of Jackie Chan's second career".
During his acting career, he broke his jaw, three fingers and almost lost an eye. One day he fell while jumping onto a tree and flew about 12 meters, landing with his head on a stone. It's probably not surprising now that Jackie Chan Now he is looking for easier ways.
The Hong Kong-born star, now 61, continues to make films, many of which are released in Asia. But non-stop action is no longer his thing.
All those years I was jumping from tall buildings, jumping on moving buses. So stupid,” Jackie Chan tells the publication. – So, I needed to change, and it’s not about aging.
Today it produces films in a variety of genres.
When I look at my past films, I fight from the opening credits to the end credits,” he says. “But now the audience is interested in the story, so I had to adapt my style to that. And I realized that with a strong story, every beat thrills the audience.
His last such attempt to create a film with a strong plot was "Dragon Blade" is a historical epic about a Chinese general (Chan) whose men fight alongside an exiled Roman general (John Cusack) against a power-hungry consul (Adrien Brody).
The film opens Friday across the United States and features plenty of action and gun scenes.
“I don’t see myself as an action star anymore,” Chan shares. – I have been trying to expand my range for a long time, including a role in “Dragon Blade.” I hope people see me as an action actor and not just an action star. Expect to see me in various roles in upcoming films.
In addition to expanding his range, Dragon Blade has also reportedly increased the actor's bank account. The film has already earned a whopping $120 million at the Chinese box office, with $10 million of that going into Chan's pocket as an actor and producer.
What Americans, who know Jackie Chan mainly from the Rush Hour films, probably don't realize is that the actor is one of the most famous and influential figures in China, with an entire business empire and a significant fortune.
Chan, married with an adult son, is worth $350 million, according to Forbes magazine. “Movie Mogul” earned $50 million last year, putting him ahead of every other actor except Robert Downey Jr.
In the early 2000s, Chan hired a consultant to help him make money from his own name, hoping to turn things around after the actor lost "a couple of million and then millions again" in the 1980s by investing in auto repair shops and gift shops. and restaurants. Even chocolate and oatmeal cookies were produced under his brand, and fitness rooms were named after him.
Now he owns a rapidly growing chain of cinemas - Jackie Chan Cinema. It already has 213 screens throughout China. The very first cinema, which opened in Beijing in 2010, became the largest in the country. There are 17 screens and 3 seats.
His Jackie Chan Design (official brand, www.jackiechandesign.com) sells T-shirts, hats, accessories and other clothing emblazoned with the red and black logo.
He opened a chain of coffee shops in 2006, and at one time he also had a chain of sushi restaurants, now they are called Jackie's Kitchen. He also launched a Segway dealership in Hong Kong. Their production was intended to promote clean technologies in Asia.
Chan also has a second career as a singer who has released more than 20 albums. The future star was born in Hong Kong, and at the age of 7 he began studying at the Peking Opera School. There, Chan studied both music and martial arts, rising at 5 a.m. and training until midnight.
When he's not singing or acting, Chan says he likes to focus on charity.
Life is too short,” he says. “With every injury I value life even more.” I know that I have been blessed, so I try to help the poor and needy.
He also advocates for the protection of animals and participates in anti-poaching campaigns.
I actually enjoy watching documentaries on TV, especially the Discovery and National Geographic channels,” said the nature-loving Chan.
They sometimes inspire me and my work.
Like his wealthy peers Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, Chan has pledged to donate half of his fortune to charity after his death.
He also has a seat at the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, where 2 prominent Chinese citizens meet to discuss the country's legislation.
Movie star in politics? China really is that “foreign”.
Sources: Jackie Chan Fan Club VK, New York Post
Translation by Anastasia Kharitona.
Action stars are of no interest to anyone outside their genre. No matter how hard they try, this stigma will remain with them forever.
Lindolion,
said an unknown Internet resident about a man with a fortune of a third of a billion dollars, a chain of cinemas, a chain of restaurants, who has released 20 music albums and so on.
Wave,
Can you read? In what way does what you listed relate to the variety of genres? Are you really that naive and believe that Jackie will ever be perceived as the Asian Robert De Niro???
Lindolion,
Which one? At least because he does a lot more besides filming action films. Therefore, to say “no one is interested in him outside of action films” is not only incorrect, but completely wrong.
Are you really so naive and believe that Jackie will still make something comparable to “Tavern on Wheels”, “Police Story”, “Armor of God”, “Who Am I?”? Or do you believe that he still needs to act in action films, despite the fact that now he is no longer able to perform such stunts? Or that since he is no longer a cake, he should lie down and die?
.
Wave,
Of course you can, but take into account age.
p.s. don’t mix everything into one pile, I am aware of his affairs, including charity. My post concerns cinema, and specifically films with his participation and his position.