Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Jackie Chan is one of the most beloved action stars, who is known for his martial arts-meets-comedy films such as thePolice Storyfranchise and theRush Hourfranchise. Chan has a trademark way of performing creative action sequences that defines his films.
However, the actor had to stray away from his brand when he collaborated withCasino Royaledirector Martin Campbell for the filmThe Foreigner. The director, who has made two James Bond films, revealed that he was adamant about Jackie Chan being true to his character of an aging veteran and was quite difficult on the actor.
Also read:“I was seriously injured and had a surgery to my brain”: Jackie Chan Walks Around With a Metal Plate in His Skull after Simple Stunt Became a Horrible Accident
Jackie Chan Subverted His Usual Characteristics ForThe Foreigner
Based on the novelThe Chinaman,Jackie Chan’sThe Foreignersees him as a Vietnam War veteran who runs a restaurant business. The film follows his revenge spree when his daughter is killed in a terrorist attack. Director Martin Campbell revealed that he wanted to show Chan in a new light and that he was convinced that the actor could pull it off after watching the 2010 filmThe Karate Kid.
In an interview withSlash Film, Campbell revealed that he wanted Jackie Chan to suppress his natural tendencies and trademark mannerisms to serve the intense character inThe Foreigner. He said,
“I was quite tough on him, in terms I wanted to keep the old man feel about him. I made his body language hunched a little bit, old man-ish… kept the action all within the military if you know what I mean…He agreed to do that, and you know, that was a great thing.”
The film also starred Pierce Brosnan and had a successful opening, earning $145 million against a $35 million budget. The film was met with positive reviews, with praise, especially for subverting the usual trademarks of veteran stars such as Brosnan and Jackie Chan.
Also read:“I can’t continue like this”: Even God of Martial Arts Jackie Chan Couldn’t Take the Pressure of Hollywood, Wanted to Quit Because of a Simple Reason
Martin Campbell’s Films BeforeThe Foreigner
Director Martin Campbell has been in the industry for five decades, having directed many films and TV series since the 70s. He specialized in the action genre, which made him the perfect fit for films likeThe Mask of Zorro,and its sequelThe Legend of Zorro, and other films such asDefencelessandVertical Limit.
His biggest contribution to the genre came with the James Bond filmGoldenEye.It was the first film of Pierce Brosnan’s iteration of Agent 007 and is often regarded as a worthy successor to the Timothy Dalton films. The film was the first Bond film to use CGI, which set a much-criticized precedent for the Brosnan films.
Also read:“I saw a great deal more potential”: James Bond Set To Become More Sinister Than Daniel Craig’s 007 Version As The Boys Creator Takes Over Iconic Character
Campbell also returned to helm the firstDaniel Craigiteration of Bond,Casino Royale, which was again lauded for subversion from traditional Bond films. He is also the director behind the infamous dudGreen Lantern, which according to him, should never have been made.
Campbell revealed in an interview withScreen Ranthis opinion about the film,
“The film did not work, really. That’s the point, and I’m partly responsible for that. I shouldn’t have done it. Because with something like Bond – I love Bond, and I watched every Bond film before I ever directed it. Superhero movies are not my cup of tea, and for that reason, I shouldn’t have done it.”
After the disastrousGreen Lantern, Martin Campbell decided to collaborate with Jackie Chan on the action filmThe Foreigner.
Also read:“I think he was an orphan from Albania”: Mads Mikkelsen Created His Own Backstory After Daniel Craig’s $616M James Bond Movie Didn’t Invest Anything On The Danish Maestro
Nishanth A
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2417
Nishanth A is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 2,000 articles published. He has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a scriptwriter at various corporations before that, working on educational content. With a Communications, English Literature, and Psychology triple major, Nishanth usually covers news and analyses on Star Trek, particularly Strange New Worlds and The Next Generation; Doctor Who, the DCU, and more.A Nolan fan, Nishanth spends his time exploring the filmographies of various directors with an auteurial style or can be found making short movies of his own. He has also contributed as a feature writer for Film Companion, focusing on the South division.
