Action superstar Jackie Chan is famous for his straight-talking, trademark one-liners and kick-ass gongfu moves on screen. But one would be hard pressed to call him a character actor. / Todayonline 

Chan Snags It

Tong, who worked with Chan on First Strike, Super Cop and Rumble in the Bronx, pioneered Chan's signature starting with a punch and ending with a laugh style that endeared him to the hearts of an international audience. In their latest collaboration, however, Tong decided to showcase Chan's sensitive side. It's a risky move, but one that reflects Chan's trust in Tong. The actor has admitted in the past that directors usually follow his rules and ideas.

I always wanted to make sure it was a Jackie Chan movie. No sex, no violence, no dirty jokes. Just humor and a lot of action, he said in a recent interview. But not this time, though. Tong said if he had followed the Jackie Chan formula, it wouldn't be refreshing for viewers.

Over the years, both of us have matured and I wanted to do a film that was meaningful, with a stronger storyline that tackled real human emotions, the director, 45, said. Jackie is a very sensitive and romantic man but in our previous movies, he spent so much time fighting that he didn't have a break to be romantic. The pace of the movies was too fast for him to develop his sensitive side.
When Tong first discussed the role with Chan, the 51-year-old was initially hesitant, but the director persisted. I know Jackie very well. If you give him a good story, he will deliver the goods ?Besides, after his stint in Hollywood, I find that his acting has become more natural, said Tong.

Female Inspiration

But the Hong Kong superstar didn't find it easy dropping his trademark slapstick persona. Tong wanted a subtle performance, no explicit declarations or physical expressions, of love, guilt, and tension.

Jackie's character is complicated, a real acting challenge, because he can't openly express his love for the princess but has to convey what he feels through his eyes, he said. As a general, he can't betray his king and even though he loves the princess, he can't tell her. In fact, when I first told him about the character, Jackie said: 'I have not done a period movie before, let alone play a general. You are not allowing me to express my feelings. How am I supposed to do that?'

Tong, who shares the same birthday as Chan, assured the superstar that he was in good hands. I told him that it would all come to him on the set. I said: 'When you put on your costume, the lights go on and you come face-to-face with a beautiful woman, it will all come out,' he said.

And Chan delivered. When he was shown the final cut of The Myth, he turned to Tong and said: What happened? Did we shoot a love story?

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