MarkDownably, Jackie was cast as a Japanese race driver and his martial arts skills are only shown in one small sequence near the film's. Stateside success was still a few years away for Jackie Chan!Undeterred, he returned to East Asia to do what he did best--make jaw-dropping action films loaded with amazing stunt work.

Chan and his legendary stunt team were without parallel in their ability to execute the most incredible fight scenes and action sequences, and the next decade would see some of their best work. Chan paired with the dynamic Sammo Kam-Bo Hung to star in Qi mou miao ji: Wu fu xing (1983), 'A' gai wak (1983), Fai caan che (1984), Fuk sing go jiu (1985) (aka "Winners & Sinners 2"), Xia ri fu xing (1985) (aka "Winners & Sinners 3").

Chan then journeyed back to the United States for another shot at that market, starring alongside Danny Aiello in The Protector (1985), filmed in Hong Kong and New York. However, as with previous attempts, Jackie felt the US director--in this case, James Glickenhaus--failed to understand his audience appeal and the film played to lukewarm reviews and box-office receipts.

However, Jackie did decide to "harden" up his on-screen image somewhat and his next film, Ging chaat goo si (1985) was a definite departure from previously light-hearted martial arts fare, and his fans loved the final product!This was quickly followed up with the 레이더스 (1981)-influenced Lung hing foo dai (1986), during filming of which Jackie mistimed a leap from a wall to a tree on location in Yugoslavia and fell many quite a few feet onto his head, causing a skull fracture. It was another in a long line of injuries that Chan has suffered as a result of doing his own stunt work, and he was soon back in front of the cameras.

'A' gai wak 2 (1987), Ging chaat goo si juk jaap (1988), Kei zik (1989) (aka "Mr. Canton and Lady Rose"), Fei ying gai wak (1991) (aka "Armour of God 2") and Ging chaat goo si III: Chiu kup ging chaat (1992) (aka "Police Story 3") were all sizable hits for Jackie, escalating his status to phenomenal heights in Asia, and to his loyal fanbase around the globe.

US success was now just around the corner for the hard-working Jackie Chan, and it arrived in the form of the action film Hung fan kui (1995) (though it was actually filmed in Canada) that successfully blended humor and action to make a winning formula in US theaters.Jackie did not waste any time and went to work on Ging chaat goo si 4: Gaan dan yam mo (1996) (aka "Police Story 4"), Yat goh ho yan (1997), Ngo si seoi (1998), which all met with positive results at the international box office.

Jackie then went to work in his biggest-budget US production, starring alongside fast-talking comedian Chris Tucker in the action comedy Rush Hour (1998). The film was a bigger hit than "Rumble in the Bronx" and firmly established Jackie as a bona fide star in the United States. Jackie then paired up with rising talent Owen Wilson to star in Shanghai Noon (2000) and its sequel, Shanghai Knights (2003), and re-teamed with Tucker in Rush Hour 2 (2001), as well as starring in The Tuxedo (2002), The Medallion (2003) and the delightful Around the World in 80 Days (2004).

Not one to forget his loyal fanbase, Jackie returned to more gritty and traditional fare with San ging chaat goo si (2004) and San wa (2005). The multi-talented Chan (he is also a major recording star in Asia) shows no sign of slowing down and has long since moved out of the shadow of Bruce Lee, to whom he was usually compared early in his career.

Chan is truly one of the international film industry's true maverick actor / director / stuntman / producer combinations - he has done this the hard way, and always his way to achieve his dreams and goals to be an international cinematic star. Off screen, he has been directly involved in many philanthropic ventures providing financial assistance to schools and universities around the world. He is a UNICEF GoodWill Ambassador, and he has campaigned against animal abuse and pollution and assisted with disaster relief efforts to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami victims.

References:

  1. "Qi mou miao ji: Wu fu xing (1983)" - IMDb
  2. "Ging chaat goo si (1985)" - IMDb
  3. "Rush Hour (1998)" - IMDb