'Chinese Zodiac' is Jackie Chan's Last Action Film

[Datleco]

No more action films: 'Chinese Zodiac' is Jackie Chan's last
May 19, 2012, 10:41 AM EST

Cannes, France (AP) -- Jackie Chan is landing his last punch as an action star, but says he is stepping into retirement having made one of the most important films of his career.

The Hong Kong actor told the AP on Friday that his latest film "Chinese Zodiac" will be his last action movie.

Chan, launching the movie at the Cannes Film Festival with co-stars Kwone Sang Woo, Yao Xingtong and Liao Fan, said that people don't believe him when he says he is going to retire.

Bing: Watch trailers and clips from 'Chinese Zodiac'

"They say `no, you're still young, you can still do it,' but I have to stop one day."

The 58-year-old says he is bowing out with "Chinese Zodiac" — in which he plays a fortune hunter, travelling the world trying to track down missing astrological antiques — because it is one of the "most important" films in his career.

Chan says he spent seven years working on the movie — writing, producing, directing and coordinating fight scenes.

"For the last ten years I've been choosing the director to direct me. This one I direct myself." he said. "I hope this movie, 20 years later, people still remember it. For me, for the audience, for my future, for my history — it's very important."

Chan says "Chinese Zodiac," and the many films before it, have taken their toll on his body.

"It hurts, it really hurts," he says, flinching. "The shoulder, the ankle, it really hurts. You don't know because I still look healthy."

Not that he plans on putting his feet up — Chan shrugs off suggestions of taking up gardening, cooking or bowling in his spare time. He wants to work on his acting muscles instead.

"When I look at Hollywood, at Robert De Niro, he can do anything — comedy, drama," he says.

"Clint Eastwood— 60-70 years old, he can still move. I said yes, that's my goal. Because action stars' life is so short. Actor's life is very long. I want to show audiences I can act."

He's not retiring entirely, he's just moving on to other roles than stunt work and action sequences.
No more action films: 'Chinese Zodiac' is Jackie Chan's last - MSN Movies News

What do you think?

[Rocky]

Mhmm, I respect him for making this decision but I honestly don't think it's a good one for his career. He's good in an action role, for all of the stunt scenes, but I've never really considered him that good an actor. Even in the re-work of The Karate Kid, where his role was more 'actor' than doing full on action stunts, his acting wasn't really that grand. Maybe he'll surprise me, though..

[Datleco]

lol, The not-so-Karate Kid. It was to take place in China with Kung Fu, he played as Mr. Han (or whatever), there was NOTHING to do with Karate Kid but the title and basic formula - Kid gets bullied, trains with troubled sensei in martial art in absurd ways and wins the championship title in the year's MA competition. Other than that, it was false advertising and misconception of martial arts.

But this thread isn't about that film, he isn't all that terrific other than Comedy and his stunt work, he tried voice acting (Kung Fu Panda 1 + 2) but his accent is far too thick for such a voice. He should probably stick to musicals as well because he knows how to sing. He can't keep up with his usual stunt work anymore due to age and how many times he hurt himself (broke just about every bone in his body PLUS has a plug in his skull) and there were a couple of times where it was near death.

[MikeHaggar]

And so the man who has mocked Death finally leaves the ring.

I honestly think he's an alright actor, all the power to him.