jackie chan

KARATE KID: LEGENDS Finds Jackie Chan And Ralph Macchio Joining Forces In The Official Trailer

“Two branches. One tree.” That’s the tagline being touted for Karate Kid: Legends, the newest chapter in the ongoing Karate Kid franchise which still has one more season of Netflix series Cobra Kai before this film arrives. I’m especially curious as to how Ben Wang will be introduced into this saga after that show ends. I’m thinking cameos? Easter eggs? Maybe a surprise appearance by Hilary Swank? Who knows? In Karate Kid: Legends, after a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. Li struggles to let go of his past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates, and although he doesn’t want to fight, trouble seems to find him everywhere. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone […]

THE PROJECT A COLLECTION – 88 Films Review: A Treasure Trove Of Action Comedy Delight, Memorabilia, Stories And More!

Lee B. Golden III

Tap the following for anchors: • INTRODUCTION • STORY • REVIEW • PROJECT A Features (Taiwanese Cut – Extras) • PROJECT A2 Features (Extras) • Conclusion INTRODUCTION: I remember first setting eyes on Project A a long time ago before Blu-Rays would exist. It was on TV, it was dubbed in English, and I didn’t even know who Yuen Biao was at the time. It was post Jackie Chan 2.0 in the mid 2000s though, and I had already become enamored by Hong Kong cinema’s revival via home media, and having turned away Miramax’s dubbed version, I always hoped I would be able to see the original in its Cantonese audio. I was obsessed with seeing these titles as intended in their regional output, and lo and behold, 88 Films has packaged one hell of a gem for U.S. fans. The bundle comes in a Blu-Ray box-set, as well as […]

BFI Art Of Action Season Kicks Off In October With YES, MADAM!, POLICE STORY and More This Week!

Lee B. Golden III

Folks keen on Hong Kong classics between now and December can take to the cinema wide and online program for the BFI’s Art Of Action Season this week. The run begins Wednesday with the release of Yes, Madam!, the 1985 action classic starring Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock and directed by late action legend Corey Yuen. The film is a solid standout among the cadre of Hong Kong cinemas girls-with-guns genre, pitting Yeon and Rothrock opposite actors James Tien and Dick Wei in a story of two inspectors from opposite sides of the world to investigate the murder of a British agent. Enveloped in the shenanigans of a group of unfortunate thieves now being targeted by a ruthless gangster, it’s up to the lady inspectors to bring the house down and deliver justice. The BFI Art Of Action Season for the late quarter also includes screenings of Jackie Chan’s cinematic […]

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PANDA PLAN Gets A U.S. Trailer Ahead Of An October Release

Lee B. Golden III

Zhang Luan’s new action comedy adventure Panda Plan has a trailer now online which you can view below. Well Go USA is releasing the film theatrically in North America on October 18, starring Jackie Chan in a fictional version of himself before a cute little panda named Hu Hu. Soon after legendary kung fu star Jackie Chan is invited to adopt a beloved zoo panda named Hu Hu, a notorious international crime syndicate sets its sights on the bear and offers a massive bounty for his capture. Faced with this sudden crisis, Jackie enlists the help of his agent and Hu Hu’s fiercely dedicated caretaker, leading the trio on an outrageous and unforgettable adventure as they seek to outsmart—and outkick—the bad guys at every turn. Also starring are Wei Xiang, Shi Ce, Han Yanbo, and Jia Bing.

THE PROJECT A COLLECTION: 88 Films Announces October Release For The Back-To-Back Classics On 4k And Blu-Ray In October!

Lee B. Golden III

I’m old enough to remember when I first saw the above promo included on VHS tapes back when action star Jackie Chan was conquering the West in his second crossover attempt post-Rumble In The Bronx. Chan’s had a hell of a career over the years and including since then as he nowadays focuses his attempts on the mainland, while his heyday as one of Hong Kong’s biggest stars alongside his Peking Opera ilk now comes back into focus with The Project A Collection, 88 Films’s own re-releases of the 1983 and 1987 action adventure classic, Project A and Project A 2. The films mark only the latest in the film’s celebratory re-releases with 88 Films turning its attention to the U.S. for its rollout. Included are 4-disc Deluxe Edition as well as a 2-disc Special Edition, incumbent with either 4K or Blu-Ray renditions and loads of special features to serve up […]

RUSH HOUR 4: The New Action Sequel Circulates Potential Partners With One Seemingly Apparent Condition

Lee B. Golden III

The future of a fourth installment of the Rush Hour franchise remains somewhat uncertain, at least for now, according to a new article by The Hollywood Reporter’s Mia Galuppo and Borys Kit. Lionsgate held a routine greenlight meeting with its execs, wherein a pitch was made for Rush Hour 4 that would potentially add franchise helmer Brett Ratner to the movie. Furthermore, Eagle Pictures’ Tarak Ben Ammar, whose credits partly include Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever, American Skin, and The Equalizer 3, has been busy liaising with potential partners on the film. As the report notes, one key issue with Rush Hour 4 and its lacking appeal to potential partners and studios like Sony and Paramount, is Ratner’s reported attachment, which would mark his return to the director’s chair since facing a Time’s Up backlash of his own in 2017. Ratner faced a slew of allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment […]

88 Films Delivers More Kung Fu Classics This September!

Shaun Williams

88 FILMS are on fire lately. Not only did they announce a new slate of Shaw Brothers releases mere days ago, they just announced the release of two kung fu classics (and a saucy CAT III collection which I won’t touch upon here). Both are set to land this September. The first of the two is Jackie Chan’s 1978 film, MAGNIFICENT BODYGUARDS. This early effort, directed by frquent Chan collaborator, Lo Wei, has something a bit unique to it as it was originally released in 3-D. Well, 88 Films’ upcoming Blu-Ray will also be in 3-D. No word on technical specs yet so exactly how it’ll be in 3-D is unknown. Looks like this will be quite the drop for physical media enthusiasts. Secondly, another martial arts legend gets a release in the form of Yuen Woo-Ping’s TAI CHI MASTER (originally released as Twin Warriors in the US). Jet Li (Fist of Legend) stars alongside Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, […]

A LEGEND Trailer: Jackie Chan Returns In Sequel To The Myth

Shaun Williams

If you’d have asked me “Shaun, what sequel do you think Jackie Chan will make next?” I would have answered with “Another Police Story” or “Are we finally getting Rush Hour 3?” I did NOT see Jackie making a sequel to his less-than-stellar 2005 trip-through-time film, The Myth. Alas, it’s 2024 and here we are. Jackie returns to Chinese big screens on July 7th with A LEGEND, a collaboration with long-time friend and frequent Director, Stanley Tong. Distribution Workshop has the international rights and has the official synopsis as: A LEGEND sees Professor Chen, an archaeology expert, notice that the texture on the artifacts discovered by his students during a glacier expedition, is strikingly similar to a jade pendant he had seen in his dreams. The pendant is connecting the realm of dreams to reality. Filled with curiosity, Chen leads a research team on a journey deep into the Glacier […]

88 Films Bombards Us With Action With Their June/July/August Slate

Shaun Williams

British Blu-Ray distributor, 88 FILMS, have been delivering the goods with their martial arts action releases for years now and they’re showing no signs of stopping any time soon. Physical Media fans have a lot to look forwards to over the next few months as 88 Films are set to hit us with a veritable avalanche of classic Hong Kong action flicks. Check out their slate below: JUNE Fist of Legend (6/24) – Everyone and their dog knows this film. Considered Jet Li’s best by many, it tells the story of Chen Zhen (also portrayed by Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury) fighting off the evil Japanese. Features fight choreography from Yuen Woo Ping and a fantastic villain in the form of Billy Chow. Availaiable on both Blu-Ray and 4K UHD. To Kill Wih Intrigue (TBD) – While a date hasn’t been set in stone for this one, most people are leaning […]

[UPDATED] New KARATE KID Movie Casts Ralph Macchio And Jackie Chan Ahead Casting Call For Lead Star: ‘The Global Search Starts Now!’

Lee B. Golden III

12:42pm: A previous version of this article has been updated with director and writer information, and a studio release date EARLIER: Actors Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan will star in a new installment of the Karate Kid franchise, according to the duo on Tuesday. A new video is now online via Sony Pictures hosted by the pair who have officially confirmed their additions to the film, while launching a global casting call for potential candidates to star as the film’s titular “Karate Kid”. The news comes a little over a year after Sony added a new Karate Kid film to its slate which would have had a summer 2024 release at the time, adding to the longstanding success of the franchise that began with John G. Avildsen’s 1984 hit trilogy starter, The Karate Kid, with Macchio and co-stars Martin Kove, William Zabka and the late Pat Morita, and followed up […]

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PANDA PLAN Revealed In Tokyo As Next Jackie Chan Action Adventure

Lee B. Golden III

Panda Plan is the name of the next Jackie Chan headlining action adventure, previously touted in August as “Project P” following suit from the actor’s rollicking 1983 Golden Harvest hit, Project A, and its 1987 sequel. Panda Plan sees Chan in the role of a version of himself – an international action star forced to get involved in a daring rescue mission when a Middle Eastern tycoon hatches a plan to kidnap baby pandas from China zoo, including a rare panda with a dark circle around just one eye. Film details were announced reportedly on the final day of TIFFCOM content market ahead of the next AFM in Los Angeles this week. The film is reportedly aiming for a release in the new year, as is Chan’s latest reunion with Stanley Tong for A Legend, a sequel to 2005’s The Myth; The actor is also tapped to produce and star […]

HIDDEN STRIKE Trailer Reveals Long-Awaited Actioner With Jackie Chan And John Cena

Lee B. Golden III

Would you believe it’s been FIVE (5) years since Jackie Chan and John Cena were announced for their own action adventure two-hander?… Yes, that’s how long it’s taken for the film to arrive, between its production and completion, and mounting delays topped off with a lack of any online presence of news for what was then titled as either Project X-Traction or Snafu, or better yet, Hidden Strike, depending on who you read at the time. The film finally made a teeny bit of headwind last year with the appearance of some standee marketing at the Marché du Film for the action flick from director Scott Waugh (upcoming The Expendables 4). The artwork came coupled with the XYZ Films logo and I was able to find out from a source close to the film that said delays were “purely down to Chinese politics completely unrelated to the film itself,” adding […]

A LEGEND Sales Art Takes The Floor At The Cannes Market For Jackie Chan Sequel

Lee B. Golden III

Distribution Workshop is on hand at the Marche du Film repping world sales on A Legend, the latest $50M sequel fervor reuniting director Stanley Tong with actor Jackie Chan. Bits of news from around the web have all but confirmed its existence with set photos currently circulating, while news out of Cannes sorts of officiates things, in addition to key sales art which you can view at the bottom. Professor Chen, an archaeology expert, notices that the texture on the artifacts discovered by his students during a glacier expedition is strikingly similar to a jade pendant he had seen in his dreams. It seems as that the pendant is connecting the realm of dreams to reality. Filled with curiosity, Professor Chen leads the research team on a journey deep into the Glacier Temple, in search of the truth behind his dreams, embarking on a fantastical adventure together. A Legend marks […]

Streaming Sleepers: Sammo Hung’s HEART OF DRAGON Delivers Endearing Drama With Hearty Classic Action

Lee B. Golden III

The mid-80s delivered peak Hong Kong action. It marked an era of post-Bruce Lee film fandom that helped pave the way for stars to rise and become some of the biggest influences and staples of their industry. This inevitably included Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung, whose careers would explode from the 70s and onward with the two joining up once more for 1985 action drama, Heart Of Dragon. The story kicks off with an explosive action sequence that later reveals Chan’s role as Ted, a freshly-minted police detective. His job is one thing though, while it’s another to maintain not only his teetering relationship with his girlfriend Jenny and chasing his real dream as a sailor, but also the care and oversight of his brother, Danny, who has the mental capacity of a child and is often taken advantage of by his younger peers, and abused by adults as a […]

RIDE ON Review: Jackie Chan Trots Out Fun Family Drama And Excitement With A Love Letter To His Roots

Lee B. Golden III

Ride On is now available in U.S. theaters from Well Go USA Action star Jackie Chan turned 69 this past weekend, just in time for the arrival of his newest film, Ride On, which stands to invite more brouhaha from fans who’ve long taken note of the last decade or so of blurbs making the rounds of the actor’s retirement from the action genre. Invariably, the requisite cat-and-mouse set pieces and fight sequencing with Chan outrunning goons between punches and kicks with gags are ripe for the taking in Yang’s fifth and latest movie, but the effort toward a poignant, more substantive, and drama-heavy push isn’t wasted. At the core of Ride On is the celebration of industry in Hong Kong cinema, one specifically focused on the stunt community that so notably underscored the field as it did in the eighties and nineties. Vignettes and easter eggs highlighting moments from […]

RIDE ON Trailer: Well Go USA Saddles Up Jackie Chan’s April 7 Release

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is putting the North American Jackie Chan fandom on notice with Ride On, the new flick from director Larry Yang. An April 7 release has been slated to coincide the film’s mainland China release on the same day, and the distro outlet now has its own poster and trailer to help ramp up the domestic marketing following their acquisition of the pic in Berlin last month. After two debt collectors attempt to seize a stunt horse belonging to washed-up stuntman Luo (Jackie Chan), video of the ensuing confrontation—and the dynamic duo’s narrow acrobatic escape—goes viral on social media. Furious at being humiliated online, the debt collectors return to seek revenge, leaving Luo and Red Hare to engage in a series of hilarious, action-packed antics that outdo even the most daring acts from their glory days. Chan is joined by Liu Haocun, Kevin Guo, Wu Jing, Yu Ailei, […]

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Jackie Chan To Star And Produce NEW POLICE STORY 2, Nicholas Tse To Co-Star And Make Directorial Debut

Lee B. Golden III

A sequel to 2004’s New Police Story is on the horizon, according to Screen International’s digital magazine and Screen HK over at HKFilMart on Tuesday. Action star Jackie Chan will rejoin his co-stars, Nicholas Tse and Charlene Choi from the first film, with Chan producing and Tse making his directorial debut. News comes three years after Jackie Chan reportedly announced a new Police Story installment which was to be released last year, reuniting him with Bleeding Steel helmer Leo Zhang. Plot and story details for the New Police Story sequel, as well as shooting dates and locations and other casting news remain pending. Chan launched the Police Story film series in 1985 with producers Raymond Chow and Leonard Ho. Created in response to his own disappointing experience on the set of James Glickenhaus’s U.S. cop thriller, The Protector, Police Story became yet another template on which Chan would continue to […]

Trailer: Jackie Chan Giddies Up For The Story Of A Man And His Horse In RIDE ON

Lee B. Golden III

I’ve all but given up on caring if or when actor and screen legend Jackie Chan “retires” as he’s so claimed time and again that he would in the past decade. He’s lived a colorful and extravagant daredevil life that’s earned him his fame and fandom, and so while the hype nowadays may not be as big and bolstering as it was in the 80s, 90s and the 000s, the love is still there, as is his audience, all who now wait for his latest screen galavanting in writer/director Larry Yang’s Ride On. A washed-up stuntman and his stunt horse become an overnight social media sensation when their real-life fight with debt collectors goes viral. The film already saw one trailer when a release date was set for last year. A new trailer is now online ahead of an April 7 release in China and you’re invited to check out […]

Red Sea Film Fest 2022: Jackie Chan Once Again Talks Up RUSH HOUR 4

Lee B. Golden III

Jackie Chan was on hand as one of over a dozen notable names on hand hosting in-person panel events at the second-annual Red Sea Film Festival where he confirmed he would focus more on romance and drama for future projects. It wasn’t long before, however, that he would also reveal he is in discussions with an unnamed director for the long-gestating Rush Hour 4, as confirmed by multiple trade news sources on Thursday. “We’re talking about part four right now! But the script isn’t right.” “I will see the director tonight and we will be talking about it.” Report by Ben Dalton, ScreenDaily The trilogy remains one of Chan’s biggest crossover successes from Hong Kong after attempting similar moves with Battle Creek Brawl and The Protector. In all three films from New Line Cinema, Chan joins comedian and actor Chris Tucker in stories of two cops from opposite sides of […]

Coming To Hi-YAH! In December: Kowloon Walled City, Epics Featuring Jet Li And Donnie Yen, And More!

Lee B. Golden III

December is chock-filled with some Asian action delights over at Well Go USA’s niche streaming channel, Hi-YAH!, and the company has a brand new promo which you can view below, firstly introducing footage from Channel Choi’s Kowloon Walled City (2021), starring Shi Yan Neng (a.k.a. Xing Yu) as a migrant from Dongbei who finds himself up against evil forces to protect friends within the notorious city. The action continues with two Jet Li headliners beginning with The Legend Of The Red Dragon (a.k.a. New Legend Of Shaolin) (1994) from directors Corey Yuen and Wong Jing, with Li joined by then-rising star Xie Miao for the story of a heroic father/son martial arts duo forced to mitigate poverty, and the exploits of a con woman and her mother while journeying to avenge the destruction of their village against a traitor during the government crackdown on Shaolin. Li will also be seen […]