Early Career in Hong Kong (1971-1980)
After appearing in several minor roles and stunt work in the 1960s, Jackie Chan got his first leading role in 1971's The Blade Spares None, a martial arts film directed by Yip Wing Cho. He then worked with legendary director King Hu in 1973's The Fate of Lee Khan, playing a waiter who helps a group of rebels against a Mongol warlord. However, his breakthrough came in 1976, when he was cast as the successor of Bruce Lee in New Fist of Fury, directed by Lo Wei. Although the film was not a success, it led to Chan's contract with Lo Wei's production company, where he made several more films in the same vein.
Chan was dissatisfied with the serious and imitative style of these films, and wanted to create his own image and genre. He got his chance in 1978, when he was loaned to Seasonal Film Corporation for two films. The first one was Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, directed by Yuen Woo Ping, which introduced Chan's comedic and acrobatic kung fu style. The film was a huge hit, and spawned a sequel, Drunken Master, which was even more successful. These two films established Chan as a new star of kung fu comedy, and gave him more creative control over his future projects.
In 1980, Chan made his directorial debut with The Young Master, a film that showcased his skills as an actor, director, and stunt coordinator. The film featured many elaborate and dangerous stunts, such as a fight scene on a moving carriage and a final showdown with Hwang Jang Lee. The film was a box office hit, and set a new record for the highest-grossing Hong Kong film at the time.
Hollywood Breakthrough (1980-1995)
After achieving fame and success in Hong Kong, Jackie Chan tried to break into the Hollywood market in the early 1980s. His first attempt was The Big Brawl (1980), directed by Robert Clouse, who had worked with Bruce Lee on Enter the Dragon. However, the film failed to capture Chan's charisma and style, and was a flop. Chan then co-starred with Burt Reynolds in The Cannonball Run (1981), a comedy about a cross-country car race. Although the film was a hit, Chan's role was small and unremarkable.
Chan returned to Hong Kong and continued to make films that showcased his talents and innovations. He formed his own stunt team, the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, which consisted of loyal and skilled stuntmen who would follow him throughout his career. He also experimented with different genres and settings, such as period pieces (Project A), fantasy (Armour of God), modern action (Police Story), and romance (Miracles). He also collaborated with other martial arts stars, such as Sammo Hung (Wheels on Meals), Yuen Biao (Dragons Forever), and Jet Li (The Forbidden Kingdom).
In 1995, Jackie Chan finally achieved his Hollywood breakthrough with Rumble in the Bronx, a film that was shot in Vancouver but set in New York. The film showcased Chan's trademark action comedy style to American audiences, who were amazed by his stunts and charisma. The film was a surprise hit, grossing over $30 million in the US. It also opened the door for Chan to make more Hollywood films, such as Rush Hour (1998), Shanghai Noon (2000), and The Tuxedo (2002).
Return to China (1995-2008)
While Jackie Chan was enjoying his success in Hollywood, he also maintained his presence in the Chinese film industry. He made several films that catered to the mainland market, such as Who Am I? (1998), The Myth (2005), and Rob-B-Hood (2006). He also participated in patriotic projects, such as The Founding of a Republic (2009), which celebrated the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
In 2008, Jackie Chan starred in The Forbidden Kingdom, a fantasy film that paired him with Jet Li for the first time. The film was a tribute to the classic Chinese novels Journey to the West and The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and featured many references and homages to the martial arts genre. The film was a success, grossing over $120 million worldwide. It also marked the end of an era for Chan, who announced that he would retire from performing life-threatening stunts after this film.
Conclusion
Jackie Chan is a legend of cinema, who has entertained and inspired millions of fans around the world with his films. He has created a unique and influential style of action comedy that combines martial arts, stunts, and humor. He has also shown his versatility and creativity as an actor, director, producer, and singer. His filmography from 1971 to 2008 is a testament to his achievements and legacy, and deserves to be celebrated and appreciated.
References:
[The All Jackie Chan List - IMDb]
[Jackie Chan filmography - Wikipedia]
[Top 30 Jackie Chan films - IMDb]
[Police Story (1985 film) - Wikipedia]
[Jackie Chan Adventures - Wikipedia]
[The Karate Kid (2010 film) - Wikipedia]
[Kung Fu Yoga - Wikipedia]
[Jackie Chan - IMDb]
[Jackie Chan - Box Office Mojo]
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