Jackie
Interviews added
Jackie interview
about Gen-X Cops project
Click2Asia's
interview with Jackie Chan
http://www.click2asia.com
How did you get involved in the Gen-X
Cops project? (Click2Asia)
My partners, Willie Chan and Solon
So, and I, are share-holders in the
company that produced 'Gen-X Cops', Media
Asia. Therefore, I was involved in
developing 'Gen-X Cops' from the very
beginning. Also, I know the director,
Benny Chan, very well, because he
directed my film 'Who Am I?'. I always
said, in interviews, that I want to bring
some new blood into Hong Kong action
movies. When I read the script for 'Gen-X
Cops', I realised that this would be the
best chance to do that. I produced the
film, and lent them some members of my JC
Stunt Team to arrange the action. (Jackie
Chan)
Had you ever worked with the actors
from 'Gen-X Cops' prior to the project?
In what capacity?
Actually, most of the stars of the
film are so young, they only made a few
films before! I never had the chance to
work with them. Talking about the young
actors, I really got to know them for the
first time on this film, and I was very
impressed that they were so brave and
hard-working. I'm sure that they all have
a bright future. I know Eric Tsang, who
played 'Inspector
Chan', very well. He actually started out
as a stuntman, you know! We worked on
many films, including the 'My Lucky
Stars' series, together. He was also the
producer of my film 'Armour Of God'.
What is your favourite scene in 'Gen-X
Cops'? Why?
I would probably have to say the
blowing up of the Hong Kong Convention
Centre, because no Hong Kong film has
featured this kind of effect before. I
really felt proud that we can get an
Oscar-winning special effects expert, Joe
Viskocil, to work on our film. I also
liked the end fighting sequence, because
I feel happy to see the new generation
use the same style of action that I
invented. I think Hong Kong action is
unique. No-one can copy it. Acting-wise,
I like the scene where Eric Tsang really
stands up to the tall, mean cop (Moses
Chan). Eric Tsang is a really good actor,
and I think the audience is really
rooting for him.
Did you have any input on the stunt
scenes in the movie?
As I mentioned, my stunt team, led by
Nikki Li, were responsible for the action
in the film. I came to the set sometimes,
but just to visit. I know I trained my
team well. Nikki has followed me so many
years, he can direct any kind of physical
action scene. I really think he did a
great job, especially when you think that
none of the actors had any experience
making this kind
of film.
Did any of the principle talent look
to you for advice on performing stunts?
All the boys did most of their own
action. Before filming started, I talked
with them about doing stunts. I told them
that, henever you do a stunt, you have to
give a hundred percent. Let's say you
have to do a jump from a high place. If
you don't jump, okay. If you jump with
all your energy, okay. If you half-way
jump, and pull back at the last minute,
then you can get hurt. I told them that,
physically, of course, you have to be
ready, but that you have to be ready in
your mind, as well. Of the young guys in
the film, Daniel Wu was the most
experienced, because he's trained in kung
fu for over 18 years.
To date, what has been your most
exciting film project? Why?
For action, after all these years, I
still have to say the first 'Police
Story'. If you look back, that film
really changed everything. No-one had
made a modern day action movie like this.
It was on this film that I developed my
new style. This was the first film where
my stuntmen really showed what they could
do. The beginning scene, with the car
chase down through the village, and the
ending, the fight in the shopping mallˇ|
After all these years, they're still the
best! However, just talking about
film-making, I'm very proud of
'Miracles'. I made this film after I
heard someone say "Oh, Jackie Chan
can't really direct, he just directs
action." I made this film just to
show I could make a REAL movie. I really
spent a lot of time and money on this
production. I was the first one to use
Steadicam in Hong Kong! When I look at
that film today, I think it still looks
beautiful.
What type of film projects are you
working on now?
Right now, I am making a film called 'The
Accidental Spy'. It is being directed by
Teddy Chen. Teddy directed another film
that I produced for Media Asia, called
'Purple Storm'. He is very talented. We
are shooting on location in Hong Kong,
Korea and Turkey. After this film, we
start to prepare 'Rush Hour 2', which we
will shoot partly on location in Hong
Kong.
A large part of your career has been
spent in front of the camera. How do you
like working behind the scenes? What do
you not like about working
behind-the-scenes?
Honestly, I enjoy directing and
producing. You can have much more control
of the finished product than if you're
just an actor. Maybe when I finally
retire from acting, I'll miss it. At the
moment, I can still star in films, and
also produce films for other people. I'm
someone who enjoys every part of
film-making. In my own films, sometimes
I'm the camera-man, sometimes I'm
an extra, sometimes even sweeping the
floor! I just love every part of making
movies.
Do you prefer shooting in Asia or the
US? Why
I'd like to have the kind of control I
have in my Asian films and the kind of
budget I have for my US films. When you
make movies in Hollywood, you really
can't do everything you want to do, and,
when you make movies in Hong Kong, you
sometimes can't afford to do everything
you want to do. So, I want to bring the
two sides together, and take the best
from east and west. Then we won't make a
Hong Kong movie or an American movie.
Just a Jackie Chan movie!
Will you be involved in the sequel,
'Gen-Y Cops'?
The team for 'Gen-Y Cops' is the same :
same producers, including me, same
director, most of the same starsˇ| The
difference is that everything will be
even better! Better script, better
stunts, better special effects. We have a
new star, Edison Chen, who is managed by
our company. My nickname for him is 'my
secret weapon for the new century'! It
won't be just another sequel.
You'll see!
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