Jet Li (The Forbidden Kingdom) Interview
Shot on location in China, The Forbidden Kingdom marks the historic first ever onscreen pairing of martial arts superstars Jackie Chan (the Rush Hour series) and Jet Li (Fearless, The One).
Watch the trailer.
While hunting down bootleg kung-fu DVDs in a Chinatown pawnshop, Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano) makes an extraordinary discovery that sends him hurtling back in time to ancient China. There, Jason is charged with a monumental task: he must free the fabled warrior the Monkey King, who has been imprisoned by the powerful Jade War Lord. Jason is joined in his quest by wise kung fu master Lu Yan (Jackie Chan) and a band of misfit warriors including Silent Monk (Jet Li). But only by learning the true precepts of kung fu can Jason hope to succeed - and find a way to get back home.
How is the story fun for the whole family?
They have a great story and a lot of interesting characters and through one American boys dream they have to discover the journey, to return the staff and its fun to watch it’s a movie for the whole family for the summer.
Why did you choose to do this film?
I think it’s very interesting because we have a traditional Chinese story and now not everybody knows the stories and to make it transfer from world culture to Chinese culture is interesting. I made this movie for my children
What was it like working with the director Rob Minkoff?
The story is traditionally a Chinese story and from a foreign interpretation, we have been arguing how to transfer it. He did a very good job also I believe he had a hard time in China, for him it was the first time in China, and it was the first time working with the two cultures together.
Tell us about working with action director Woo-ping Yuen...
I think everyone knows Woo-Ping is the most famous action director in china and the world and that’s why I pushed very hard to work with him again and I told the producer and studio you must bring Woo-ping into this movie and I believe with his ability we can do everything especially with this kind of movie.
Tell us about becoming close friends with Jackie Chan...
Behind the scenes we have been getting to know each other and have become close friends it’s been a good experience and I am very happy to be working with him.
What were the challenges of playing this character?
This character for me was a challenge for me because a lot of great great Chinese artists have played it before, so I needed to play it a different way.
THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM will be released in cinemas across the UK by Lionsgate UK on 11th July 2008.
