Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan reflected on the mixed reception of the third installment of the “Rush Hour” trilogy, attributing the film’s critical disappointment to having “too much money.”
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Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan. Photo from Chan’s Instagram |
In an interview with
BuzzFeed
ahead of the release of “Karate Kid: Legends,” where Chan reprises his role from the 2010 remake of “The Karate Kid,” Chan discussed the three films in the “Rush Hour trilogy,” which saw him star alongside comedian Chris Tucker. When asked to compare the films’ varying receptions, Chan hesitated before sharing his thoughts on why each installment performed differently both critically and commercially.
“I don’t know. You know what, the first one: little money, little time. We shot it like, ‘Go, go, go, go!’” Chan explained. “The second one: a lot of money, a lot of time. The third one: too much money, too much time. Too much money is no good.”
Chan’s assessment aligns with the trilogy’s financial and critical trajectory, as reported by
Variety
. The first “Rush Hour” film, released in 1998, was made on a US$35 million budget and grossed US$244 million worldwide, becoming a major hit. The 2001 sequel was made for US$90 million and earned US$347 million globally. However, “Rush Hour 3” in 2007, despite a hefty US$140 million budget, grossed only US$258 million. Critical reception also waned with each successive installment.
The “Rush Hour” trilogy revolves around two police detectives—Hong Kong Chief Inspector Lee (Chan) and Los Angeles Detective James Carter (Tucker)—as they go on a series of comedic misadventures involving crime syndicates in Hong Kong and Los Angeles.
In 2022, Chan made headlines when he announced that “Rush Hour 4” was in development, while Tucker also expressed enthusiasm about returning to the franchise at around the same time.
At 71,
Chan
remains one of the most iconic martial artists in film, with a career spanning over six decades and more than 150 films. He became widely known for his roles in kung fu comedies such as “Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow,” and the “Rush Hour” series further cemented his international fame.
