3 days ago
Iconic Action Star, 71, Makes Bold Admission About AI Stunts
Iconic Action Star, 71, Makes Bold Admission About AI Stunts originally appeared on Parade.
is known for some of the most impressive stunt work in movie history. However, the legendary actor recently revealed why he wouldn't attempt the same bold moves in today's entertainment industry.
Chan, 71, attended the Karate Kid: Legendspremiere in New York on May 27, where he reflected on his career— and how fortunate he feels to have started when he did.
'If I were working in this era, I don't think I'd do [stunts] myself,' he told Page Six. Why not? 'Because of AI, special effects, [and] green screens,' he explained.
But technology isn't the only factor. According to Chan, studios today aren't eager for actors to do their own stunts either.
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'You want to do [the stunt work], but the studio, the stunt coordinator, the director—they won't let you,' he said. 'Because if anything goes wrong and the star gets injured, it could shut down the whole shoot. It could cost a lot of money.'
'In the old days,' he added, 'I had to do it myself—and that's how I became 'Jackie Chan.' So I was lucky.'
Though he's spent some time out of the spotlight, Chan is making a Hollywood comeback, reprising his role as Mr. Han in the latest Karate Kid installment.
As for preparing to do his own stunts again? Chan says he doesn't need any special training. 'I don't need to anymore. I've been training every day for 64 years. I've been fighting, fighting, fighting,' he told Variety in a separate interview.
While he's been acting since the 1960s, Chan's stunt work shows no signs of stopping. He reportedly performs all his own stunts in Karate Kid: Legends.
'I'm not like I was when I was 20 and could do a triple kick in the air,' he admitted. 'Now, I do one kick.'
Iconic Action Star, 71, Makes Bold Admission About AI Stunts first appeared on Parade on Jun 2, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
