Jackie says he’s expected to do own stunts
We rehearse the stunts together. The JC Stunts Team was established in 1975. We spend most of our time together and they are like my brothers - we fight alongside each other. Jackie Chan, action superstar
LONDON: Jackie Chan thinks his audience “expect” him to perfect his own stunts.
Jackie, 63, has admitted he completes his own action moves “90 per cent” of the time because he thinks using a stunt double would only leave his fans feeling disappointed.
He told Metro newspaper: “I do my own stunts most of the time, that’s what audiences expect from me.
“I used doubles in a few shots but I do over 90 per cent of my stunts. But I think action for me is still easy. Doing stunts is what I am best at.”
However, the actor also relies on special effects and “camera angles” to help him.
He continued: “Of course, I used some special effects and camera angles to help, but I think action for me is still easy.”
Jackie will train with his stunt doubles, whom he refers to as his “brothers”.
He said: “We rehearse the stunts together. The JC Stunts Team was established in 1975. We spend most of our time together and they are like my brothers – we fight alongside each other.”
Because of his hectic work schedule, the only time he gets to relax is when he is on a plane.
When asked when he gets to enjoy some free time, he said: “On the plane, perhaps. I like my work and keep my schedule busy, flying the world for my movies.”
But Jackie’s mind is always buzzing. Even when he is sitting down and watching a documentary, he is thinking about how it can “inspire” his next project.
He added: “I like to watch documentaries, especially on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. They sometimes inspire my work.”
Added Jackie: “I don’t like to repeat myself so I try something new every time.
“In Police Story I jumped from the shopping mall Christmas decoration; in Project A I fell down from the clock; in Police Story 3 I was hanging outside the helicopter for 45 minutes.”
For his latest movie, Kung Fu Yoga, Jackie had a number of scenes with a real lion, which was the pet of a member of the Dubai royal family.
He said: “It was lent by the Princess of Dubai - it is her pet.
“In most scenes, the lion was filmed separately but we had some moments together in the car.
“The lion was well trained but it was still scary.”
Not only was a lion loaned from the princess, but the actor said luxury cars were also lent by the royal family in United Arab Emirates ( UAE) and streets were cordoned off.
Added Jackie: “The film was shot in many countries, including China, Iceland, India and UAE.
“The royal family in UAE lent us their luxury cars and the government cordoned off streets for us for car chases.”
Jackie also attempted to do some Bollywood dancing and found it “difficult”. He said: “I attempted Bollywood dancing this time! But doing stunts is what I am best at.
“At first learning dancing was difficult but then the instructor related the movements to daily activities such as changing light bulbs or hitting the ground.
“It became easier to remember moves.”