After becoming known as one of the busiest martial arts action stars of all time - if not THE busiest - Jackie Chan really doesn't need an introduction. The guy simply kicks butt! At the age of 54, Chan is still as busy as he's ever been and now fans will finally see Jackie team up with fellow martial arts legend Jet Li in director Rob Minkoff's The Forbidden Kingdom, which hits theaters on April 18.

Although Jackie and Jet have been trying for years to find the right project to work together, both martial-arts-turned-action-stars finally settled on The Forbidden Kingdom, about a young American teenager who finds the lost ancient weapon of the legendary Monkey King and travels to China to return it to its owner. However, before he does, he must learn how to fight from two uniquely different martial arts masters played by Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

At the recent L.A. junket for The Forbidden Kingdom, The Deadbolt took a few lessons from master Jackie Chan as he talked about how he felt working on the project, the adjustments that he's had to make with his martial arts, the original movie he had in mind for a collaboration with Jet Li, being an ambassador for the upcoming Beijing Olympics, and how it felt to wear a wig.

Are you pleased with the way The Forbidden Kingdom has turned out? Is it how you envisioned it would be?

JACKIE CHAN: I don't know. Every time I make American film, I just trust the American director and American writer. Myself, I would never make this kind of film. For me, those kinds of films are ridiculous. They don't make sense. [laughs] But the American way, the American audience is more interested in this kind of movie.

Which part did you feel didn't make sense?

CHAN: No, the whole thing. [laughs] Why drunken master? Monkey king? Alls kind of things, but at the end, it's the children; there is a young boy in New York who loves - just like the writer - he loves American culture. It's a fantasy like a fairytale. It's okay. Otherwise, I won't make this movie... American audiences, even he like it. The Asian like it. So, that's why Jet [Li] and I agree to make this movie. Now, I hear so many good things about this movie and everybody is talking about it - I still worry. Just like Rush Hour one. After I finished Rush Hour, I said, "My career finished. A second time I try to get in American market and now I'm finished. I go back to Asia and that's all." Then "Boom!" - big hit. This is ridiculous. Why do people like these kinds of things? Then Rush Hour 2 - now, whenever American writer or director comes and presents a script, nobody is against it for the American market.

What types of alterations and adjustments have you had to make with martial arts at your age?

CHAN: I think the last six or five years you can tell I have changed my style, right after Around the World in 80 Days and then I go back to make New Police Story, The Myth, Rob B Hood, Rush Hour 3 and Forbidden Kingdom. Right after Forbidden Kingdom, I just finished a movie called The Shinjuku Incident. It's just totally, one percent action and heavy, heavy drama. The next one will be big action! Then maybe a love story. I want to change. I want to be a real actor. Not just action style. I am the myth. Jackie Chan is a myth. I am still surviving right now, more than 30 years. I am the only one. How long cannot I keep fighting? So this is why I have to change, change, change. I have encouraged a director for my next film, it's a good idea for him. He's been working on, not a new idea, it's about Chinese culture and combined with European (American), more those kinds of situations. I'm not like I used to be in Drunken Master 3 or 4. No, I'm tired. [laughs].

How was the wig that you had to wear? Did it cause any problems?

CHAN: Yes, especially when the shooting time was so hot in the desert. It's so itchy, and probably for a young girl they are used to it. I'm always, like, very slowly just do this [twirls hair]. So itchy! But there were things, the old guy, the old hawk - Wow! I wanted to kill the director. [laughs] For five days, I get a phone call in the morning. Makeup until 12:30. After lunch, first shot. Two shots, wrap. I said, "No, shoot more." Take off all the makeup for two hours. Everyday? Almost 11 hours in makeup.

Looking back, you used to be the student and now you're the master after so many films. How is that feeling?

CHAN: I just don't believe it's so quick, now, that I'm becoming a master. Then I realize, "Wow, Drunken Monkey was 30 years ago." My master has already passed away. Now, I am the master. Feels funny. But what can you do? That's a human being life.

Exploring The Forbidden Kingdom with Jackie Chan Page 2