Jackie Chan fans rejoice: That retirement news may have been slightly erroneous, as Asia’s biggest star is making plans for his next English-Language action comedy. Jay Longino is writing the project, taking his cues from the actor’s original idea. [THR]
Little is known about the film, but, as THR reports, it’s a “two-hander action comedy featuring a detective (Chan) who must track down an American gambler that has skipped out on his debt owed to a Macau casino syndicate.” These events will take the action superstar to “Hong Kong, Macau, Eastern Europe and mainland China.”
Chan will star and produce alongside Esmond Ren of TIMG and David Gerson of InterTitle Films. Additionally, Chan’s JC Group International and Beijing-based Talent International Media Group will partner to co-produce the currently untitled film.
Frankly, I’m ecstatic about this news. It’s been a while since his last leading role in an English film, The Spy Next Door — and, frankly, that film was not satisfactory. But with him in the producer’s seat, this has the potential to bring back the Chan we love. Longino‘s a bit of a wildcard with few credits so far — he most recently sold the pilot Raising Blind to FX, which Vin Diesel and Ben Younger will executive produce — but Chan knows his own style and abilities well, so I trust his judgment. (Some of his best films, such as Project A or Police Story, were based off his original ideas.) Only time will tell.
Are you optimistic about Chan’s next actioner, or is it still too early to make a judgment?