Michelle Yeoh and Jackie Chan, who both hail from Asia have achieved astonishing success in Hollywood. These two actors have mesmerized audiences around the globe with their captivating performances in both Western and Eastern movies.
Michelle Yeoh, the Malaysian sensation who recently earned an Oscar for her extraordinary portrayal of Evelyn Wang in Everything Everywhere All At Once, first made a name for herself as a martial arts star in Hong Kong. As she ventured into Hollywood, Yeoh effortlessly transitioned into diverse roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Moreover, she has not shied away from addressing social issues, publicly declaring herself a feminist and using her platform to advocate for gender equality. As a result, Yeoh has criticized Jackie Chan in the past for what she perceives as misogyny. However, despite their well-documented feud, glimpses of cordiality between the two have emerged in recent times, hinting at the possibility of a mended relationship. Their complicated history has left fans yearning to know the current status of their dynamic...
Why Did Michelle Yeoh Call Out Jackie Chan For Misogyny?
When it comes to international stardom, few names shine as brightly as Jackie Chan. Renowned for his acrobatic fighting style, impeccable comic timing, and innovative stunts, he has amassed a legion of devoted fans who are drawn to his outgoing and warm personality. However, not everyone shares the same adoration for the beloved action star.
Michelle Yeoh's is hailed as an excellent role model for women, encouraging them to chase their dreams despite the societal barriers that often impede their progress. Yeoh has emerged as a fierce advocate for feminism and women's empowerment, fearlessly expressing her views regardless of whom she encounters. One individual who experienced the brunt of her candid criticism was none other than action star Jackie Chan.
During a memorable appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman in 1997, Yeoh was promoting her James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies, when she was asked if Jackie Chan inspired her venture into the action genre. Her response left no room for ambiguity: "No, actually, he is a male chauvinistic pig. He always believes that women should stay at home and cook and not do anything and be the victim."
Yeoh's candid remarks did not end there. She fearlessly continued, emphasizing that Jackie Chan is well aware that she can hold her own against him. "Except for Michelle, now he said, because I would kick his butt," she added, leaving no room for doubt about her strength and resilience.
Moreover, Yeoh has consistently voiced her concerns about the narrow range of stereotypical roles offered to women in the film industry. She adamantly advocates for a transformative shift in the creation of female characters, aiming to prevent harmful stereotypes and foster more empowering narratives for women on-screen.
Michelle Yeoh's commitment to breaking barriers and reshaping the portrayal of women in cinema continues to inspire and empower aspiring artists worldwide.
Are Michelle Yeoh And Jackie Chan Friends?
While Michelle Yeoh has been vocal in her criticism of Jackie Chan's chauvinistic comments, their friendship and shared professional history makes their relationship that more interesting. The two Asian stars first crossed paths in 1985 when they were cast together in a television advertisement in Hong Kong. This marked the beginning of a successful collaboration that would span multiple projects.
Their first film venture together was the action-comedy Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Stars in 1985, where Yeoh portrayed a Judo instructor alongside Chan. This collaboration paved the way for further joint endeavors, including their involvement in the beloved animated film series Kung Fu Panda. However, their most memorable and celebrated work together came in the form of the 1992 classic action-comedy Police Story 3: Supercop.
In this film, directed by Stanley Tong, Yeoh portrayed the capable Inspector Jessica Yang, while Chan played the lovable yet bumbling Detective Chan Ka-kui. The movie's thrilling action sequences and the undeniable chemistry between the two leads propelled it to tremendous commercial success, grossing over 34 million dollars worldwide.
Critics also showered praise on the film, recognizing its captivating action and the dynamic between Yeoh and Chan.
While their friendship is evident, it is not without its competitive elements. According to The Guardian, Chan felt overshadowed by Yeoh's impressive stunt work during the filming of "Police Story 3: Supercop." Yeoh fearlessly performed her own stunts, including the iconic motorcycle jump onto a moving train.
To level the playing field, Chan reportedly requested more daring action scenes, such as one involving a helicopter. This competitive dynamic speaks to the mutual respect and admiration they hold for each other's talents as martial arts and action stars.
Reflecting on their daring stunts, Yeoh shared her experiences in a 2022 interview with The Guardian. She recounted the challenges they faced, where safety measures were limited compared to today's CGI-heavy productions.
"If you jumped off something, you were lucky if you had mattresses and some cardboard boxes [to break your fall]," she remarked. "And then all the wire work was done on wires that were thin enough that you couldn't see with the naked eye because we didn't have CGI; we couldn't erase them after." Yeoh added that while she doesn't miss the danger and risk.
Jackie Chan Almost Got Michelle Yeoh's Part In Everything Everywhere All At Once
During her appearance on The Graham Norton Show on February 3, Michelle Yeoh revealed an intriguing tidbit about her career-defining role as Evelyn Wang. Surprisingly, the role was initially offered to her good friend Jackie Chan, with Yeoh originally slated to portray his wife in the film.
Yeoh recounted the amusing exchange, sharing, "They did go to China to meet with Jackie, and you know, he [Jackie] texted me and said, 'Congratulations for your movie, but did you know your boys came to see me first?' And I'm like, 'Your loss, bro.'"
Despite the switch in casting, the Crazy Rich Asians star made it clear that she and Chan remain great friends, and she harbored no sadness over the turn of events.
"To be fair to The Daniels (the film's directors)," Yeoh added, "you know when you start out to write a movie... it is show business, right? This is about a business sense, and constantly it's the guys that go out to save the world."
