Every time the subject of kung fu comes up, Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan’s movies are always discussed. However, Jet Li is also well-liked in his native China.
For many years, Jet Li was regarded as one of the most beloved martial arts icons in the world. After being introduced to renowned Wushu master, Wu Bin, the Beijing native started training at the age of eight. Li left competitive Wushu at the age of 18 and later achieved great success in China as an actor.
His 1982 acting debut, Shaolin Temple, garnered him a great deal of praise in China, and he became an instant celebrity in East Asia as a result of Chang Hsin Yen’s movie.
But Jet Li, who is renowned for his breathtaking moves and electrifying performances, had to encounter many challenges before becoming the legendary martial artist and actor that he is today.
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Jet Li Was Refused Roles for Being Too Young
For those who did not watch Chinese kung fu movies growing up, Jet Li is an actor with an exceptional resume.
Bruce Lee, a legendary martial artist, mysteriously died in 1973, shocking China, the United States, and the rest of the movie-loving world. The following year, Li (who was only 11 at the time) was performing a kung fu demonstration in Hong Kong when a movie producer approached him and inquired about his thoughts on following in Lee’s footsteps.
Li, whose English was not quite as good at the time but while speaking to TalkAsia (via CNN), he recalled the encounter:
“When movie studio producer talk to me, ‘Hi, little kid, when you grow up, you want to become action star?’ I say, ‘Okay, why not!’ So since then, every year the producer came to me to look at me. Says, ‘Okay, you are still a little boy, can’t make movie. I want to wait [for] you.’”
The 60-year-old artist respected Bruce Lee greatly, but he had no idea that his name would ever be linked to the late acclaimed Hong Kong-American martial artist.
“I remember I found him very talented, a very talented actor and martial artist.”
Jet Li encountered a recurring obstacle despite his undeniable talent as he added:
“But I don’t know how to make movie, I don’t know how to become this, I didn’t think of it that deep. I was just 11.”
Li was 17 years old when the director decided he was ready for his first leading role in a feature film. Thus, he was chosen for the role in Shaolin Temple, the first of several films that made him famous in China.
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Jet Li Resumed Acting Despite Health Issues For One Role
Jet Li was one of the most adored martial arts celebrities in the world for many years. However, the actor has largely left the industry in recent years in order to prioritize his health.
Li made the switch to Hollywood blockbusters with Lethal Weapon 4 in 1998. Later, he would go on to direct films like Romeo Must Die, The One, Kiss of the Dragon, and all three installments of The Expendables series. While his acting career has progressively slowed, he was compelled to accept the 2020 blockbuster due to one small but significant role.
Li disclosed his diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in 2013. And even though he maintained his health and refuted claims that it has affected his career, he has not appeared in many movies in the past several years.
Jet Li stated in an interview, according to Yahoo, that his daughter Jada Li, now 20, persuaded him to sign up for Mulan.
“When my younger daughter, Jada Li, heard about Mulan, she asked me if she could ask three question. I said ‘okay.’ For the first one, she asked if I felt proud of promoting Chinese culture to the world. ‘That’s your responsibility,’ she said. I said, ‘yes, I love to share Chinese culture to the world.’”
He was asked whether he “needed the money” in the second question, which turned out to be a bit of a trick question. However, his daughter persisted and questioned her father:
“Can you make the movie for me?”
He agreed, saying:
“That’s how I decided to make this film.”
The 2020 American fantasy action drama, Mulan received high marks from both audiences and critics for its animation, story, characters, and musical score.
You can stream Mulan on Disney Plus.
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Source- TalkAsia (via CNN)
