Q&A with Jackie Chan: How his legacy endures in ‘Karate Kid: Legends’

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‘Respect the action. Respect martial arts. Respect the spirit. That's how I bring those kinds of messages to the movie,’ says martial arts cinema icon Jackie Chan

Note: This studio-owned interview was provided exclusively to Rappler by Columbia Pictures, the film’s local distributor.

MANILA, Philippines – With a career spanning more than six decades, Jackie Chan has cemented himself as a pillar of martial arts cinema.

The beloved Hong Kong actor and filmmaker had a prolific career in his homeland and gained international recognition for playing Chief Inspector Lee alongside Chris Tucker in the buddy cop film series Rush Hour. It was only a matter of time before he was cast in the iconic martial arts franchise Karate Kid as kung fu master Mr. Han, for the 2010 remake of the film.

In Karate Kid: Legends, Jackie Chan reprises his role as Mr. Han, mentor to kung-fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang). Li Fong has just moved across continents to New York City, and unwanted attention from the local karate champion forces him to relearn martial arts.

Jackie Chan (left) and Ben Wang in ‘Karate Kid: Legends.’ Image from Columbia Pictures

Why did you want to come back to the role of Mr. Han?

Jackie Chan: The audience. They want to come back because of the Karate Kid. The first Karate Kid movie was 40 years ago and it was so successful. Everybody liked it. We’ve been looking for another good story to tell and then Sony called me up and shared the script and they got the story right!   
 
When you met Ben (Wang), what did you think?  Could he be the next ‘Karate Kid’?

JC: We were collecting auditions from around the world to find the next Karate Kid — one who can act, fight, and accept this kind of pain, you know.  It’s not easy. It’s an action film with tough sequences and you have to train very hard. Then, I received Ben’s video and I saw this young kid acting and fighting so well, and I thought, maybe this one! 

Then, I arrived at rehearsal and we rehearsed a tricky action and training sequence, and I watched the way he talks — speaking very good Mandarin and English.  

Then I saw the stunt team train with him, and I said wow because he just seemed so comfortable fighting and being on set. And after a few weeks of filming and getting to know him, I realized that he’s quite funny, creative, and a very smart boy.
 
When I look at him, it is like looking at myself when I was young. You never stop jumping, moving, learning, and kicking. And never tire. After I saw him fight for a couple of days, I knew he was perfect for the role.
 
How was it working with Ralph Macchio (the original ‘Karate Kid’)? As Daniel LaRusso, it must be nice to blend the world.

JC: Yes! He’s an actor and gets things like I do. The first time we met was actually at the premiere for The Karate Kid (2010 movie). The second time we had a chance to interact, it was a much lengthier meeting, and we immediately just melded together. Whatever I said, he understood. He is very easy to work with and a very professional actor, which I enjoyed working with. 
 
Are you excited for Jonathan’s (Entwistle, director) vision of this?

JC: Yes!  He has such a cool vibe — cool hair, cool glasses — and all around, he’s a cool guy so I knew he would make a cool movie. And I love how this film really brings these two worlds together, melding both styles of martial arts. 
 
You bring such a great energy on set. Is it important to you that everyone feels the magic of moviemaking?

JC: That’s why I get to know the extras on set! They’re there the whole day.  We shoot, they get bored, I tease them.  I sing a song for them. I enjoy bringing that levity and energy to the whole set. That’s what makes the movies good, because the movie is not how good I am, how good Ben and I are, how good Ralph is. It’s the whole team. If everybody is excited, you bring up the energy, and then that makes a good movie.
 
What do you hope audiences take away from seeing it on the big screen?

JC: Respect the action. Respect martial arts. Respect the spirit. That’s how I bring those kinds of messages to the movie.
 
Why should audiences see ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ in theaters?

JC:  It’s a story that brings two families that has a long history before together. They work together to face their challenges and eventually turns “my challenge” to “our challenge.” Working together, there’s nothing better than that in the world now. 

 Karate Kid: Legends opens in Philippine cinemas on May 28. – Rappler.com