May 30th, 2007 by dd
Hoping to spread the magic of heavyweight champ George Foreman and his Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine to Asia, Foreman and Jackie Chan just finished shooting an East-meets-West infomercial in Hong Kong.
“The Asian market doesn’t know George well, but they know hamburgers and they know Jackie,” says Foreman’s business partner, who came up with the pairing of the grill and the boxing champ in 1994.
The only market the grill has not penetrated is Asia. Chan was looking for endorsement opportunities, and after months ironing out conflicting schedules, the filming of the infomercial came together.
The launch of the ad campaign in China is planned for August, with Japanese and Korean versions to follow.
Posted in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, China, Jackie Chan | 
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May 24th, 2007 by dd
Jackie Chan and Jet Li are currently in China shooting their first movie together, the Hollywood production The Forbidden Kingdom, and Chan said in his Chinese-language blog that they recently shot their first on-screen duel.
“I finally `fought’ with Jet Li today. We’ve never fought before having known each other for so many years,” he said.
The fight scene went smoothly and the two actors finished what was expected to be a daylong shoot in a few hours.
“The short sparring that lasted a few moves went very smoothly. It was like fighting with a brother from the same school of martial arts. We blended easily on every move, be it in terms of timing or rhythm,” he said. “The feeling was like shooting with Sammo Hung or Yuen Biao. Whether it’s a look, an expression or a turn, we were well coordinated. It feels great,” Chan wrote, referring to two fellow action stars.
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Posted in Hong Kong, China, Film, Celebrity, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Sammo Hung | No Comments »
May 15th, 2007 by dd
So here’s the deal. Jackie Chan is looking for the next big action star in China on his TV show, The Disciple (Think The Apprentice for movies). Thing is, Jackie doesn’t seem too impressed with what he’s seeing. His words of advice: You don’t have to crack heads in kung fu to make it big.
In fact, the drunken master himself is frustrated by the emphasis placed on kung fu skills. He said in a blog entry on his Web site that he’s looking for grace in movement, be it from sports, dance or kung fu.
Chan said a background in kung fu was not necessary to succeed as an action star, citing former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” star Zhang Ziyi as examples.
Why have talent when modern movie technology can enhance the look of kung fu moves!
“In my movies, I don’t want any violent action. I’m looking for people who have beautiful and rhythmic movement so that the action can look something like dancing,” Chan said.
Chan himself was trained in Peking Opera and is known for his comical, dance-like moves and stunts.
By contrast, another action star, Jet Li, was a national kung fu champion in China before he crossed over to the film industry. [IHT]
Posted in Hong Kong, China, Reality TV, Film, Malaysia, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh | No Comments »
May 10th, 2007 by dd
Both Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan have already anticipated a Rush Hour 4, whether it happens depends on this summer’s box office numbers. Back in 2005 when Tucker agreed to make Rush Hour 3 for $20 million agains 20% of gross, his deal came with a second-picture commitment for the same salary (the film was to be determined later, but we all know what they were thinking!).
As for Chan, years ago he told the Chinese media that he sees a long future for Rush Hour. “In America, it’s just Rush Hour 1, Rush Hour 2 and Rush Hour 3, then Rush Hour 4. If Rush Hour 4 fails, that’s it. But if it doesn’t fail, there will be Rush Hour 5,” he said.
Posted in Hong Kong, Film, Jackie Chan | No Comments »
April 27th, 2007 by dd
Young Chinese actress Liu Yifei has signed with William Morris Agency, a top American talent agency. So basically, Liu is now a ‘playah’ in the game.
She follows in the footsteps of WMA’s other high profile China talent, Zhang Ziyi, who signed in 2005 and soon thereafter landed the lead role in Memoirs of a Geisha.
So what coveted ‘gift’ is Liu Yifei receiving for signing? Speculation is she’s landed a lead role in the upcoming The Forbidden Kingdom, which starring none other than Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
DaDump is guessing that Grace Chen who heads William Morris China wined and dined and used her immeasurable charm to lure Liu Yifei for her traditional Chinese beauty and limitless potential as an international film star.
… and if things go awry, Grace can always soothe bruised egos by “huggin’ it out”.
Posted in Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi, Liu Yifei | 1 Comment »
April 14th, 2007 by dd
International action star, occasional singer, coffee chain owner, and the Big Kahuna of a cosmetics line, clothing line, restaurants, gyms, charities, even cookies! Well, it’s time to add scooter dealer to that growing list.
That’s right. Jackie Chan is all over the place right now and is well on his way to building a very diversified one-man empire. If he isn’t one of the hardest working people in showbiz then show me someone else who has as many random businesses under his umbrella.
Chan and his business partner Matt McGuire have sold Segway scooters in Asia for about a year and a half but the action star says he’s interested in promoting the technology, not making big bucks.
Still, Chan is a big believer in the product and even shipped the battery-powered scooters to Paris recently when he was in the French capital shooting “Rush Hour 3.”
Yo Jackie, here’s an idea. Start an authentic New York pizzeria, buddy. DaDump would give up his ex-girlfriend’s second to last toe on her left foot for a greasy slice of cheese oozing, artery clogging pizza. That kind of fits in with your business strategy, right?
Posted in Hong Kong, China, Music, Film, Jackie Chan | 1 Comment »
April 13th, 2007 by dd
Sources indicate that Zhang Ziyi is in early talks to play “White Haired Demoness” in The Forbidden Kingdom. Two female roles are available, one called “Golden Sparrow” (too young for Ms. Ziyi) and another called, yep, “White Haired Demoness.”
Michael Angarano is also on board the project, and he’ll be playing a young hero who joins up with Lu Yan (Chan) and Silent Monk (Li) to try and rescue the Monkey King (Li again).
Lastly we learn that Bai Ling may be lining up for a role, as are actresses Li Bingbing, Ruby Lin, Liu Yifei and Fann Wong. [RottenTomatoes]
Posted in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Film, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi, Li Bingbing, Fann Wong, Ruby Lin, Liu Yifei | 2 Comments »
April 11th, 2007 by dd
J&J are set to unload a can of whoop-ass in their first feature film together
The Untitled Jackie Chan / Jet Li movie finally has a name, The Forbidden Kingdom, and Lionsgate has just come aboard for domestic US distribution. The Forbidden Kingdom pairs Jackie Chan and Jet Li for the first time on the big screen.
Based on the Chinese legend of the monkey king, the story revolves around an American teenager who discovers the king’s legendary stick weapon in a pawn shop. Teen is transported back in time to ancient China, where he joins a crew of warriors fighting to free the imprisoned king.
Li is set to play two roles, that of the monkey king and the silent monk. Chan will pay the monk T’sa-Ho.
Posted in Hong Kong, China, Film, Jackie Chan, Jet Li | No Comments »
April 11th, 2007 by dd
The Apprentice, The Disciple… To-MAY-to, To-MAH-to…
There are no new ideas in Entertainment, folks. Hate to break it to ya, but originality is about as common as a talent agent who cares about his clients. DaDump digresses…
Jackie Chan is throwing his hat into the reality TV contest ring by launching a Chinese reality TV show with hopes of finding new martial arts film stars. It’s The Apprentice meets Survivor with a sprinkling of Dancing with the Kung Fu Master. Instead of “You’re fired!”, Jackie will simply tell the losing contestant that his mother would be so disappointed. Asian maternal guilt has ruined many a life and will prove as effective here.
“A lot of actors are good at fighting but their style is not beautiful,” Chan said. “If you can incorporate dance and an ability to perform kung fu, that would be better.”
“The Disciple,” produced by Chan and BTV, a Beijing station, will run next year from March to October with more than 100,000 people having already signed up to try out for the new show.
Winners will appear in a movie Chan will produce, most likely Rush Hour 7. The film will be released before the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and will feature 10 winners from the show.
Posted in Hong Kong, China, Reality TV, Film, Celebrity, Jackie Chan | No Comments »
April 9th, 2007 by dd
A Hong Kong stuntman has hit Jackie Chan where it hurts by suggesting that the action star uses body doubles on his Chinese-language movies. The claim contradicts Chan’s insistence that he performs all his own daredevil routines and only reluctantly uses stunt doubles for his English-language Hollywood productions.
Writing on his blog, stuntman Bruce Law claims to have worked as a double for a number of major Hong Kong stars, including 52-year-old Chan. When his allegations were questioned, Law stuck to his guns. “Everyone uses stunt doubles,” he wrote. “What’s so surprising about it? Sometimes it’s not a matter of whether an actor can perform a stunt but rather the movie company isn’t willing to take the risk. Once an actor is hurt, the movie has to stop shooting and the financial loss is great.”
Yesterday Chan’s spokesman Solon So told the Associated Press that Chan only resorts to stunt doubles when working in America. “Hollywood movies don’t let you perform movies that are too dangerous,” So said. “They have insurance coverage. There are safety consultants.”
Continue reading about Jackie Chan and his stunt doubles after the jump…
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Posted in Hong Kong, Film, Jackie Chan | 3 Comments »
