Jackie takes sharp detour from usual roles
BEIJING: At 63, Jackie Chan is ripe for taking on more diversified roles.
In his latest thriller The Foreigner, instead of his usual wisecracking and martial arts moves, Jackie takes on the role of a bitter old man seeking revenge.
The script was adapted from Stephen Leather’s novel The Chinaman.
Jackie’s role is that Quan, a London restaurant owner, who hunts down the culprit behind the terrorist bomb attack that killed his daughter.
During the hunt, Quan’s past identity as a killer for the Viet Cong and Americans in Vietnam is revealed. Co- starring in the thriller is former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan.
Helming the movie is director Martin Campbell, 73, known for two James Bond films and the Last Resort TV drama.
As to why he took on the
There is no one like him. No one does action like him. And his particular action I think is very unique. And I think his comedy is very unique. Martin Campbell, director
challenge, Campbell said: “First of all it was a good story. All great characters… There’s a whole political-back story to Pierce that is really interesting. So, much more complex than the average thriller. So really that was why I did it.”
On Jackie’s skills, he said: “He is exceptionally mastered. I think when you look at the film, you will see exactly how he masters it. He is terrific in that.”
While Jackie is mostly wellknown for his comedic roles, Campbell said that he noticed he played a serious role very well in The Karate Kid. “And this, I realised that he was probably built to do this very well. And he did. He is excellent.”
Despite the rise of new stars in China, Campbell still thinks Jackie is one of a kind.
Figured Campbell: “There is no one like him. No one does action like him. And his particular action I think is very unique. And I think his comedy is very unique.”
Added Campbell: “You know, the problem here with Chinese actors is how good their English is… I think for any young Chinese actor to make it in the rest of the world, they have to speak, be able to speak English fluently.”
The Foreigner is to begin screening in China on Sept 30.