8-4-2024 (HONG KONG) Iconic actor Jackie Chan reached a significant milestone as he turned 70 on April 7. The legendary star took to Instagram to share a reflective post, expressing gratitude for being able to age gracefully despite the physically demanding stunts he has performed throughout his career.
In a lengthy caption, Chan acknowledged the reminders from friends about his 70th birthday and admitted that the number itself was a shock to him. He shared a saying from his colleague, Sammo Hung, emphasizing the privilege of growing old, particularly for stunt performers who understand the true fortune of reaching old age.
Addressing concerns raised by fans after recent photos showed him looking older, Chan reassured everyone that his appearance was solely for a character in his latest film. He explained that the role required him to have white hair, a white beard, and an aged look.
Chan expressed his willingness to take on new challenges for movies, whether it be daring stunts or transformative character appearances. He also expressed gratitude for his 62-year-long career in Hollywood, cherishing every moment and considering himself lucky to still be actively filming today.
The Instagram post featured a collection of photos from Chan’s illustrious career, which he attributed to his staff’s diligent search through his archives. The nostalgic images evoked fond memories for the actor, who declared his love for making movies and extended his appreciation to his fans.
The comments section of Chan’s post overflowed with birthday wishes from fans and fellow celebrities. Jackass star Johnny Knoxville sent his regards, acknowledging Chan as a fellow stuntman. Will Smith also took the opportunity to wish Chan a happy birthday through his own Instagram post. Smith reflected on the time they spent together during the filming of The Karate Kid in 2010, where Chan played a pivotal role in the upbringing of Smith’s son, Jaden.
Jaden, who was 11 years old at the time, starred in the movie as Dre, a teenager learning self-defense from Chan’s character, Mr. Han. In November, Chan and Ralph Macchio, the original Karate Kid, announced plans for a third installment of the franchise and launched a worldwide search for the lead role.
The new film, directed by Jonathan Entwistle and produced by Karen Rosenfelt, remains shrouded in secrecy regarding the plot. However, the casting of American Born Chinese star Ben Wang as the lead has already sparked anticipation among fans. Production for the film commenced on April 4, as confirmed by a post on X (formerly Twitter).
