Jet Li's English Speaking Debut
Jet Li's high-flying martial arts style on the big screen has made him a hit with Asian audiences. Now he is looking to conquer U.S. film fans with Romeo Must Die. He discussed his career with Early Show's Co-Anchor Jane Clayson.
This is the first English-speaking role for the actor, who has made 25 films in China.
"I made a lot of movies in Hong Kong," he says. "I hope the American audience likes my style."
His new movie combines martial arts with hip-hop. "We try to decide on some new style, martial arts, in this Romeo Must Die so we put martial arts (and) the hip-hop together," he says.
One fight features an American football. "It's pretty cool stuff. I never knew football before. But after this, I love football," he says.
He even helped to choreograph some scenes. "I work with my best friend," a choreographer, he says.
Many people may remember Jet Li from Lethal Weapon 4.
"I played the bad guy," he explains. "They say, 'You're so mean.' I say, 'Look, I'm very nice.' I hope next movie after Lethal Weapon 4, after Romeo Must Die, they say, 'Oh, he is a nice guy.'"
His brand of acting has been labeled the Jet Li style. "My style is very serious," he says. "It's very concentrated."
"I use my style to help the character," the actor says. The martial arts he employs could be termed a calmed down sort of tai chi. (He even demonstrates his snake style. Watch the video.)
"Teen-agers, they can train in different styles," he says. When learning martial arts, the most important thing is protecting yourself, training and not fighting on the street, Li warns.
He is teaming up with Mel Gibson, star of Lethal Weapon 4, on another project, a television series called Invincible.
 |