Jackie Chan and Jet Li: The Forbidden Kingdom

Full transcript

Transcript generated from the original recording and lightly edited for readability; minor errors may remain.

Okay everybody, this is Rob Colasanti, president of NAPMA, and I’m here today with Jackie Chan and Jet Li for a brief interview about the new blockbuster film, The Forbidden Kingdom. Now I know you two gentlemen are extremely busy and only have a few minutes to speak, so let’s dive right into it. For starters, Jackie, what was it about the Forbidden Kingdom storyline that made you say, yeah, this is well written, I want to star in this movie?

I think probably the writer, he really likes Chinese culture. He sees so much Chinese movies, so he wants to put everything together, Jungle Master, The God, Monkey King, The Eight Immortals, everybody they put in the same movie. Okay, great. Now in the movie, you play the part of Lu Yan. Tell us a little bit about your character and give us some insights into what makes your character so special. I’m like a Jungle Master. I’m happy-go-lucky. I like helping people. Somehow I met Jason from New York. I don’t care where he comes from. Then we all have a mission, to save the world. That’s very fantasy things. Along the way, I teach Jason how to be a good martial artist. I see. Now most of our listeners have probably already seen The Forbidden Kingdom trailer on television where you’re teaching Jason some martial arts techniques, and it looks really entertaining by the way, but just in case one of our listeners haven’t seen the trailer yet, you can check it out at naphma.com forward slash kingdom.

Now Jackie, I have to ask you, this film is described as a classic Chinese story, but it was American made. What can you tell us about that?

This kind of story is very strange. If I’m the director, I will never make this kind of movie in China because it’s not my culture. My culture is not like this. But for Americanized, the point of American movie, they would put everything together. It made fun. If I’m not American director, probably not, I’m not going to do it because I’m American director, producer, everything is American. Then Jet Li agreed to do it. Then I said, Jet Li? Yes, I do it right away. Well, that’s interesting. And Jet, I’ll have some questions for you in just a moment. But Jackie, both you and Jet are extremely high level martial artists. What was it like filming your fight scenes with Jet Li?

The most people you have to practice. I don’t know why he look at me. I don’t know. Just do it. Yeah. I probably want to try how fast I am. I want to try how good you are. So the first hit was so fast, and second thing was fast again. Then everybody, can you guys slow down? We have to turn, we have to put the speed slower. Then I just tell Jack, okay, now probably I do. I just let him know my rhythm. Then he automatically knows my rhythm. Then he just doo. Just so fast. Mostly when I fight with people, my 10 take, 15 take. Anytime I fight with Jet Li, the more difficult fight, only five take this off. Very cool. And having seen a sneak preview of the fight scenes just a few weeks ago, I have to say the work the two of you did together was simply amazing.

Now this film was a very genuine portrayal of Chinese culture, and it just happens to be right before the Olympic Games are to take place later this year in Beijing. How much does the idea of spreading Chinese culture play into a project like this?

I hope bring more Chinese culture to the West. Let the world know more about Chinese culture. Because I’m the China tourist ambassador, I’m the Asian tourist ambassador, I want to introduce more Asian culture. Let more Western people come to visit us. And I’m sure this movie will spark a lot of interest, especially with all the press it’s receiving. It’s all over television. All right, thank you, Jackie. Jet Li, it’s an honor to finally get to speak to you here today. And I want you to know I really enjoy your work. So for openers, tell us, what do you like about this new movie and why should everyone listening to this interview go out and get a Forbidden Kingdom ticket right away?

[04:45] They have a great story and have a lot of interesting character and through American one boy’s dream. Have to discover the journey to discover everybody’s self. And it’s fun to watch, especially for whole family for the summer. Well, outstanding. And I’m glad to hear that this is a family movie because that’s very good for the martial arts industry and especially all the schools in the NAPMA organization. Now, I asked Jackie this question, but I also want to get your take on it. What was it like making a movie with a traditional Chinese storyline only with an American spin on things?

I think it’s very interesting because I have a traditional Chinese story and not everybody from the know the story and how to make it transform from the Chinese culture to the world culture. I think it’s I made this movie for my children. Well, that’s really touching and I’ll bet you’re a great dad. Now, how do you think American director Michael Minkoff did blending American and Chinese culture to ultimately turn out a successful final product that everybody was happy with? How did he do?

This story is based on the traditional Chinese story and from the foreign angle to see it. So we have a lot of arguing about how to transfer the traditional way to a weapon and this too. So he did very good. Also, I believe he had a hard time in China because two culture works together is for him also first time. Okay, super. And I know that there was a lot of excitement working with the legendary Hong Kong director, the one and only Yuen Woo-ping. What can you tell us about that?

I think everybody now Yuen Woo-ping is the most famous action director in China in the world. So that’s why I really push very hard to work with him again in this film. And I tell the producer studio everybody say you need to be must bring Yuen Woo-ping in this movie. And I believe his ability can do everything special this kind of movie. Yeah, he is a legend indeed. How about Jackie? Did the two of you work well together in this film?

Behind making a movie where we are very good, become more close friends and we know each other. So it’s a very good experience. I’m very happy to work with him. Absolutely. And it sure looked that way in the film. And lastly, Jet, your character was the silent monk, a classic Chinese character. Was it challenging for you to play this part?

This character may be challenging because a lot of Chinese great artists played before. So I need to play a different way. And that you did. Jackie, thank you so much for this outstanding interview. It was truly an honor. And we all look forward to seeing your new blockbuster film, The Forbidden Kingdom. Thanks so much. And thanks to all of you for listening. I’m Rob Colasanti, and we’ll see you again soon.