Remember when Jackie Chan said he was retiring from action movies? Well, one can throw that claim out the window, as the experienced veteran has lined up yet another action franchise. While on international press rounds, Chan told Cinema Online that although he had to decline Sylvester Stallone‘s invitation to The Expendables 2 due to scheduling issues, he did agree on joining the third film, adding one condition that he “will be appearing as more than just a minor role with a few scenes.”
The actor recently told THR that that he “doesn’t like to be looked [down] upon by foreigners,” adding that, “once [Sylvester] Stallone asked me to be in a film and play a drug baron who turns good at the end. I didn’t go.” One can assume this was the second film in The Expendables franchise, as Chan said he told Stallone that he’d rather have more of a “buddy-buddy” vibe in this third film, and with Stallone agreeing, the script is now being reworked.
As for another major action franchise, Chan didn’t have the nicest of words to say regarding his experience on the Rush Hour films. In the same THR interview he said, “I have reasons to do each film, I have something to say. Unlike Rush Hour – there was no reason [in making it], you just give me the money and I’m fine. I dislike Rush Hour the most, but ironically it sold really well in the U.S. and Europe.”
So, what does this mean for a fourth? Chan revealed that while co-star Chris Tucker is reading a potential script (under the name of Skip Tracer, which could be turned into Rush Hour 4), he says that the last film left a “perfect ending” and that it would “be better to start a new buddy movie with someone new.” Perhaps if someone will just “give him the money,” then Chan may change his mind, but one can at least expect to see him on US screens in the forthcoming Expendables sequel.
Are you surprised at Chan’s comments towards the Rush Hour franchise? Do you want to see The Expendables 3 with Chan?