Jackie Chan Criticizes Hollywood Studios Focus on Profit Over Filmmaking at Locarno Festival

At the Locarno International Film Festival, Jackie Chan criticized modern Hollywood studios for prioritizing financial returns over filmmaking quality, stating that it has become very difficult to make a good movie today due to strict budget constraints. He reflected that older movies were better because studios were run by filmmakers, whereas now many executives are primarily business-minded, focusing on recouping investments quickly. Chan shared insights from his decades-long career, including performing his own dangerous stunts and his efforts to master various filmmaking roles such as directing, acting, and stunt coordination. He humorously claimed that only he and Sammo Hung possess such a broad skill set in Asian cinema, adding that he is better because he also knows how to sing, a skill he pursued to avoid being limited to risky stunt work. Chan also revealed that he once considered quitting Hollywood due to poor scripts and difficulty connecting with American audiences but gave the Rush Hour franchise one last try, which he credits with changing cultural perceptions. Overall, Chan emphasized his goal of longevity in the industry and lamented the current business-driven approach that stifles creativity.