Advertisement
Advertisement
Martial arts
Get more with myNEWS
A personalised news feed of stories that matter to you
Learn more
Jackie Chan is grateful nobody was hurt during the massive mudslide in China while shooting Project X. Photo: AP

Real-life drama as Jackie Chan and film crew rescued during ‘massive’ mudslide while shooting Project X

The 64-year-old martial arts icon reveals in his blog that his film crew experienced ‘scary’ moments as a raging river of mud wreaks havoc on location in China

Martial arts

Hong Kong martial arts icon Jackie Chan has starred in more than 200 action thrillers involving some of the most insane stunts ever filmed, but last week, he was caught in a real-life drama while shooting his latest film, Project X.

Chan revealed in his Weibo blog that he and his film crew had to be rescued while shooting on location in China when they were caught in a “massive” mudslide.

“Today, we started shooting on location. The weather suddenly changed and our crew were caught in a massive mudslide!” wrote Chan in his blog.

The 64-year-old Chan said the weather suddenly took a turn for the worse with heavy rain causing a huge mudslide that caused trucks and tents to be swept aside by the fast-flowing river of mud. Chan posted several photos of the mudslide and was grateful rescuers had come to their aid by helping to tow the trucks to safety.

“A few of our production trucks were stuck in the river of rushing mud. Many of the crew became frightened because it was so sudden. Luckily, some large hook trucks came to our rescue and helped tow our production trucks to safety,” wrote Chan, who is known as “Big Brother” in China and Hong Kong.

A mudslide hits filming for Project X. Photo: JC Group

Chan did not reveal exactly where he and his film crew were shooting when the mudslide occurred but southern China and in particular Yunnan province was hit hard by heavy rainfall last week.

The US$80 million budget Project X, which also stars WWE legend John Cena, who reportedly replaced Sylvester Stallone in the movie, is set at a Chinese-run oil refinery in the Middle East. It’s being directed by Scott Waugh (Need for Speed) and due to be released next year.

Despite his advancing age, Chan has not slowed down and continues to churn out action movies on a regular basis. Last month, he was ranked 59th on the Forbes list for highest-paid celebrities after coming out with six films in 2017 including Bleeding Steel and The Foreigner.

Film trucks caught in the mudslide during filming for Project X. Photo: JC Group

His earnings soared past US$45 million for 2017 but that also included endorsements, producer credits and his own line of cinemas.

The action star, who won an honorary Oscar in 2016, used his blog to thank responders involved in the rescue.

John Cena (left) and director Scott Waugh (right) with Jackie Chan at the Shanghai Film Festival. Photo: Shanghai Film Festival

“I’d like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all the people who came to help us. And also “sorry” to all the crew members who were frightened by the mudslide. Our production team will learn from this experience; be more alert to the weather conditions, do our best to protect our crew members and ensure that working conditions are absolutely safe. Thanks to everyone for your hard work!”

Meanwhile, Cena, 41, claimed he dropped 18 pounds while working out on the set of Project X and was down to 236 pounds.

“Never stay in your comfort zone too long. New program thanks to @EyeOfJackieChan team,” 16-time WWE champion Cena wrote on his Twitter account.

Post