Jackie Chan was initially reluctant to play another police officer. However, when director Larry Yang approached him in “The Shadow Edge,” the action legend realized that he had been pulled back to familiar territory for his next collaboration following 2023’s “Rideo-O.”
“In the beginning, I talked about so many police officers, so I didn’t want to play another police officer,” Chan tells Variety. “But the way he presented it was very persuasive. It made me want to try again and see what new elements can bring to the audience.”
The crime thriller, performing at the Open Cinema Strand at the Busan International Film Festival, has been ranked number one in the box office in China over four consecutive weekends, discovered by Chang, who plays the legendary police officer Wong Tak Chong, who was pulled from retirement to investigate high-quality riverbanks in the iconic Win Macau. When the burglar crew steals billions of dollars while avoiding both the police and the cutting edge Skyeye Surveillance System, Wong suspects the ringleader is the legendary criminal Hu Longsheng (Tony Leong Kha Phi), who mysteriously disappeared a few years ago.
For Chang, the contrast between traditional research skills and the story of advanced surveillance systems reflects his own career journey, balancing old school stunt work with modern filmmaking techniques. “I started film sets a long time ago. This year marks my 64th year in the industry. It was a very long journey and I witnessed the whole development of the film,” he recalls. “The pace of new technology still amazes me, and a lot of the techniques feel very fresh to me. But in action films, no matter how technology develops, they can never replace the human element.”
The reunion with Yang, whose debuted in 2015, “Mountain Cry” closed Biff, was driven by a mutual respect for perfectionism and work ethic. “Coach Larry Yang is extremely hardworking and serious. He’s young, but I really admire his tenacity and willingness to continue creating,” says Chan. “So when he brought me this new script and wanted to work with me again, I was happy to agree.”
Yang’s approach resonates deeply with Chang’s own methodology. “He’s working very hard. He’s very serious on set, and he’s not just focused on the director – he pays attention to everything that’s going on around him. He even takes care of things that aren’t really his fault. He’s a perfectionist and we respect that. Within two months, he’s already written a new script outline and brought it to me.
Despite accumulating injuries from his progressive years and decades of stunts, Chang claims that the authentic, authentic remains the most important part of the status quo. “In the case of action films, actors are still the foundation. We believe that action actors can never be exchanged. No matter how advanced technology and equipment is, they can support and enhance the film. They cannot completely replace professional stunt performers.”
However, he is increasingly interested in evolving his skills. “In recent years, I’ve wanted to transform. As I’m older and have been injured in the past, it’s no longer easy for me to do anything,” he admits. “So I tried to shift. I tried to show the audience different aspects of me: family-friendly comedy, pure drama with no action that doesn’t move people into tears. I hope these changes will give the audience a sense of freshness and surprise.
This evolution reflects the broader philosophy that led Chan throughout his career. Recently, he was recognized for Locarno for his lifelong contributions to film, and continues to be driven by the same perfectionist instincts that defined his work. “I feel very fortunate to receive this award. I started working in the industry as a child actor. I never imagined that I would achieve what I have today or receive a lot of love from the audience. At the time, I needed a job to survive. But I loved learning.
That commitment to excellence was unshakable. “I always told myself: Every shot has to be done well. You can’t relax just because it’s dangerous or tired. Otherwise, every time you shoot it later, you regret it. Perhaps this attitude is why the audience appreciated my film. This award feels like an awareness of its persistence.”
This approach extends to his legendary Jackie Chanstant team, which has evolved dramatically over decades. “After the success of “Eagle’s Shadow Insnake” and “Drudge Master,” I began making action films non-stop. That is, there were many skilled stuntmen who helped to bring out all the action and dangerous scenes, with a cinema experience. “Everyone is incredibly talented and we were able to quickly film a huge amount of action material together. Over the years, our team has grown. We’ve now grown. We’ve now got over 300 people. We’re already moving from the first generation to the eighth.”
Looking back at his extensive cinema shoot, from Hong Kong classics like “Police Story” to global hits like “Rush Hour” and “Karate Kid,” Chang picks out “miracles” as particularly meaningful. “I once made a film that I wrote, directed, and starred in, called “Miracles.” I’m extremely proud of it. It gave me a strong sense of accomplishment. ”
The creative process is just as convincing for veteran performers. “There are some films I’ve been developing for years, which remain unfinished. I want them to be perfect so I keep modifying the scripts. But while I’m filming other films, those projects are delayed.
As for immediate projects, Chan has a full slate. “There are a few confirmed projects, such as a Chinese comedy film, another pure action film, two or three overseas projects currently in talks. Honestly, all the projects I agree with are things I really like and I want to get them well done and share them with the audience.”
His advice for the next generation of action stars reflects decades of hard-earned wisdom. “There are so many great actors. I don’t think anyone will try to inherit the paths and styles of others. Everyone is different, their journeys are different, and the height they can reach is unpredictable.
“The Shadow’s Edge” also features Zhang Zifeng, featuring Kiuguo, the daughters of Wong’s late former partner, and Jun of K-Pop Group Seventeen. The film is produced by Iqiyi Pictures, Shanghai Tao Piao Movie & TV Culture Co. and Beijing Hairun Pictures, and is handled by Golden Network Asia Limited.
