In a recent interview with Haute Living, legendary actor and martial artist Jackie Chan shared his thoughts on how Hollywood stunt work has evolved over the years. Unlike in his early career, when stunts were performed with minimal technology, Chan believes today’s stunts are dominated by CGI and wirework.
“In the old days, the only choice we had was to be there and jump; that’s it,” Chan said. “Today, with computers, actors can do anything, but there’s always a sense of reality that you feel is missing.”
While acknowledging the benefits of technology, Chan noted its drawbacks: “On one hand, actors can do impossible stunts with the help of technology, but on the other, the sense of danger and limit is blurred, and the audience becomes numb to it.” He emphasized, however, that he doesn’t encourage anyone to take dangerous risks like he did in his prime.
At 71, Chan remains committed to performing his own stunts, a practice he has followed for 64 years. “I always do my own stunts. It’s who I am,” he said. “That’s not changing until the day I retire, which is never!” Chan explained that after decades of stunt work, it has become second nature: “There’s no physical preparation anymore. Everything is in your heart and soul; it is muscle memory.”
Chan’s next project is Karate Kid: Legends, set to release on May 30, where he will reprise his role as Mr. Han alongside Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang.
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