Jackie Chan: I want to be the Robert De Niro of Asia; Hollywood studios are run by businessmen, not filmmakers
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, in a Q&A session with Giona Nazzaro, artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival, Jackie Chan shared his thoughts on why the quality of Hollywood films has declined. Chan, who received an honorary award at the festival this week, believes that major studios care more about money than filmmaking.
Echoing sentiments expressed by Francis Ford Coppola, who said at last year’s Cannes Film Festival that studios hire directors to help pay off debts, Chan remarked:
“In my opinion, older films are better than today’s films. Nowadays, many major studios are run by businessmen, not filmmakers. They invest $40 million and think: ‘How can I get my money back?’ You can’t expect much more than that. These days, it’s very hard to make a good film.”
The Rush Hour and Police Story star shared several stories about his dedication to the art of cinema, saying he has tried to learn all aspects of filmmaking — from stunts to acting to sound:
“In all of Asia, there are only two directors who can do everything: writing, directing, acting, stunt coordination and performance, and editing. Only two. The first is Sammo Hung, and the second is Jackie Chan. And I’m better because I can sing.”
Chan recalled that early in his acting career, whenever he appeared on American television programs, he was always asked to perform stunts:
“Every network I went to would ask me to punch or kick something. I thought it would be better if I learned how to sing.”
He added that from then on, he shifted his professional goals to have greater longevity as an actor:
“I want to be the Robert De Niro of Asia.”
