The legendary Jackie Chan, who’s still going strong at 71. With his latest film Karate Kid: Legends hitting theaters today, Chan sat down with CinemaBlend to chat about his incredible career, his love for stunts, and a playful dream he’s had for years—playing Iron Man. Let’s dive into what makes this action icon so unstoppable and why he’s still so happy to keep doing what he loves.
Chan has been a household name for decades, known for his jaw-dropping stunts and slapstick humor in movies like Police Story, Rumble in the Bronx, and Rush Hour. He’s been at it for over 60 years, starting as a child actor in Hong Kong and rising to global fame with his unique mix of martial arts and comedy. But even at 71, he’s not slowing down. In fact, he told CinemaBlend he’s thrilled to keep doing his own stunts, even if he jokingly wishes for a role where he can hide behind a mask.
“I’m so happy to see the technology coming up and AI, but for me, useless,” Chan said with a laugh. “The audience still likes to see Jackie do the real things, and poor me.” He went on to share a lighthearted plea he’s made to directors over the years: “Please hire me as the Iron Man, Spider-Man, Batman.” Why a superhero? Because it’d let him focus more on acting and story, rather than fighting. Imagine that—Jackie Chan as Iron Man, trading punches for witty one-liners behind a shiny suit. It’s a fun thought, but Chan knows his fans crave the real, raw action he’s famous for.
This isn’t the first time Chan has mentioned his Iron Man dream. Back in 2013, he told IGN he’d love to play the character but felt audiences might not see him in the role. “I really want to play Iron Man, but I don’t think the audiences want to see me as Iron Man,” he said then. He even called the decision-makers “fools” for not casting him, pointing out that no one seemed willing to pay him big money for sci-fi roles. Instead, everyone wanted him for action, even as he got older and started using stunt doubles and green screens more often. It’s a fair point—Chan’s stunts are legendary, but at 71, it’s understandable he’d want to take on less physically demanding roles.
Speaking of stunts, Chan’s career is packed with moments that make you gasp. He’s broken nearly every bone in his body, from fracturing his skull on Armour of God in 1986 to suffering third-degree burns sliding down a 70-foot pole in Police Story. He even almost drowned while filming Vanguard in 2020. Despite all that, he’s still out there doing his own action scenes. Just last week, he mentioned to Radio Activa that he got injured again while filming, but to him, it’s all part of the job. “When you’ve done it for 64 years straight, there’s no physical preparation anymore,” he told Haute Living earlier this month. “Everything is in your heart and soul; it is muscle memory.”
But Chan isn’t reckless. He’s adapted over the years, especially as he’s gotten older. In a 2017 Entertainment Weekly interview, he explained how his fighting style in The Foreigner had to match his character’s age—starting slow and deliberate before unleashing his full force. And while he still does most of his stunts, he’s honest about needing help sometimes. “If I have to jump off a building, I need a stunt double now,” he admitted to The Independent this week. It’s a smart move for someone who’s been defying gravity since the ‘70s, and it shows how much he cares about keeping his craft sustainable.
What keeps Chan going, though? It’s simple—he loves it. “I always do my own stunts. It’s who I am,” he told Haute Living. “That’s not changing until the day I retire, which is never!” That passion shines through in every film, from his early Hong Kong hits like Drunken Master to his Hollywood blockbusters like Shanghai Noon. And now, with Karate Kid: Legends, he’s not just performing—he’s mentoring. Playing Mr. Han again, he’s guiding a new kung fu prodigy, played by Ben Wang, while also training the next generation of stunt performers through his JC Stunt Team.
Chan’s influence goes beyond stunts, though. He’s a global icon who’s inspired video games, like Jackie Chan Stuntmaster, and even a Pokémon, Hitmonchan. He’s earned two Guinness World Records for CZ12 in 2012, holds an honorary Oscar from 2016, and has stars on both the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Plus, he’s a philanthropist, with his Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation supporting education and disaster relief since 1988. He’s not just an action star—he’s a cultural force.
As Karate Kid: Legends kicks off in theaters today, May 30, 2025, Chan’s got more in the works, like Panda Plan 2, Rush Hour 4, and New Police Story 2. And while he might dream of playing Iron Man, it’s clear he’s happiest doing what he does best—bringing heart-pounding action and big smiles to fans worldwide. So, here’s to Jackie Chan, still kicking at 71 and showing no signs of stopping. I can’t wait to see what he does next!