Jackie Chan has embodied various names and iconic characters throughout his prolific career in the film industry. His diverse roles, including those in The Karate Kid film series, the Rush Hour film series, Drunken Master, and the Kung Fu Panda series, have solidified his status as an exceptional and universally respected actor in Hollywood.
Jackie Chan is a master of physical comedy, especially in Chinese cinema. Therefore, it is no surprise he was also compared to the legendary Bruce Lee. In fact, there has been a longstanding debate about who would win in a legitimate fight between the two. Now it appears a Dark Knight star claimed that Jackie Chan would beat Bruce Lee in a serious fight.
The Dark Knight Star Feels Jackie Chan Would Definitely Defeat Bruce Lee
During an interview with VladTV, The Dark Knight star Michael Jai White expressed his opinion on a hypothetical fight between Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. White, a martial artist with over 50 years of experience and expertise in nine different styles, suggested that if he were a betting man, he would favor Jackie Chan for the win due to his size and durability. White emphasized that Bruce Lee, while being the greatest martial artist ever, was not a fighter in the professional sense.
“Bruce Lee was not a fighter, that’s not his skill set. He’s a martial artist, the greatest martial artist who ever lived. But he was not a fighter. I’m sorry it’s a whole different skill set. It’s ugly, you trade blows. “You see people who are 132lbs fight each other, it’s like Ren and Stimpy. They beat the s**t out of each other and nobody falls out.”
White argued that the size difference would be a significant factor in favor of Chan, who, being a larger and durable individual, would likely come out on top in a fight against Lee. White concluded by stating that, if given the choice, he would bet on Jackie Chan in such a matchup.
“I think Jackie Chan would win,” said White. “If I was a betting man I would say Jackie Chan. He’s not a small guy, and he’s durable, that’s a tough dude. He’s a lot heavier than Bruce Lee and that’s a major difference in the fight game.”
Bruce Lee will forever be remembered as one of the greatest martial artists to have ever lived in the world, but some people like Michael Jai White will always prefer a more practical fighter like Jackie Chan.
Jackie Chan Claimed That No Actor Can Succeed Him
In a recent interview, Jackie Chan revealed the challenges faced by emerging talents in catching up to his legacy, citing the industry’s emphasis on looks over abilities. Chan expressed his desire to find a worthy successor but highlighted the difficulties imposed by industry standards.
According to Chan, even highly skilled martial artists encounter barriers in the industry, with major studios hesitating to invest substantial amounts in movies starring them. The actor, known for Police Story and The Accidental Spy, became emotional while discussing the industry’s preference for attractive and popular stars, leaving stunt actors, who risk their lives, in the shadows.
“I used to really want to find a second Jackie Chan but it’s very difficult. For those who are good at martial arts, is there a boss out there who’s willing to find a good director, and fork out 50 to 60mil yuan (S$11mil to S$9mil) to produce a movie [for them]? They won’t.”
Despite the current challenges, Jackie Chan remains optimistic about a brighter future for stunt actors, expressing hope for a second golden era of action films.
