Jackie Chan says he has no intention of retiring as he returns to the Karate Kid franchise with his latest film, Karate Kid: Legends. The 71-year-old action star is reprising his role as Mr. Han after a 15-year break from the series.
Speaking during the global promotional tour, Chan emphasised that doing his own stunts remains non-negotiable. “Of course, I always do my own stunts. It’s who I am. That’s not changing until the day I retire, which is never,” he said.
With a career spanning over six decades, Chan noted that physical preparation has become second nature. “Everything is in your heart and soul; it is muscle memory,” he explained.
Chan reflected on how technology has changed the nature of action cinema, saying that while computers allow actors to perform visually impressive stunts, something vital is lost in the process. “In the old days, the only choice was to be there and jump. Today, with computers, actors can do anything, but there’s always a sense of reality that you feel is missing,” he said.
He acknowledged that while digital effects have expanded creative possibilities, they’ve also blurred the perception of risk and authenticity — a trade-off he described as a “double-edged sword.” Still, he cautioned against replicating his old-school approach: “I’m not encouraging anybody to risk their lives to do the stunts like I did; it truly is too dangerous.”
Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, Karate Kid: Legends marks Chan’s return as Mr. Han and is set to release on May 30, reigniting interest in the long-running martial arts franchise.
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