"Questions and Answers with Jackie Chan"

So, is there more to Jackie Chan than martial arts and wild stunts?
I really like the audience watching me not only as the action actor but as an actor. I really can act. And also, I can direct. I'm a professional filmmaker. That's what I want the audience to know.

 Did you have control over every aspect of First Strike?
Yes. I hope I can make a really great American movie. And I want to learn something from America--production, directing, writing, everything.

You're not just appearing on the big screen in the United States, though. You've also got a Mountain Dew commercial out. How did that come about?
William Morris said, "We have a commercial for Mountain Dew." Mountain Dew was very new for me. But now I know it is a very big drink in America. So I said, "Yes, why not?"

Do you drink it?
Before I did the commercial, they sent me a couple of Mountain Dews to make sure I liked it--I didn't want to cheat the audience. So when I tried it, I said, "Yes, it's good." I'm so happy I did something traditionally American.

You've also got a part in Joe Eszterhas' inside-Hollywood project, An Alan Smithee Film. That doesn't sound like a typical Jackie Chan thing.
Before I read the script, I said, "No, I'm not interested because there's no action." Seemed like there'd be nothing to do. But, after Stallone called me...

 He called you personally?
Yes. He's a good friend of mine. He said, "Let's do it. It's a fun movie." After he called, I said, "Yes, let's do it."

You get to work with a lot of other American stars in Alan Smithee. Is there anyone else you'd like to work with?
Mostly, I would like to work with American directors, because I could learn something from them. James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Michael Bey, Quentin Tarantino. Of course, besides that, I want to work with Jodie Foster, Sharon Stone, John Travolta...because I've watched them in a lot of movies.

But you want to stay in action films?
Yes, because I like action. I think a lot of people say, "Let's go see Jackie's film--very good action!" I don't think people say, "Let's go see Jackie in a drama--watch him kiss the girls." I like action and I want to make the audience excited and proud of me.