When Jackie Chan thought he was the 'Karate Kid': 'I already forget how old I am'

Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo, the martial arts, have been captivating audiences with their smooth techniques on screen. However, when any movie fanatic hears the word “action,” the only man who rules the minds is Jackie Chan. Whether it’s charming the scenes with impeccable slapstick comedy or playing the ‘cool man’ who just sways through the disastrous issues, the 71-year-old artist can ace the frames and make viewers believe every second of it.

When Jackie Chan thought he was the 'Karate Kid'

‘Karate Kid,’ starring Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, and Wenwen Han, became a fan favorite soon after its release in 2010. Recalling an incident about the film, the ‘Rush Hour’ actor narrated the time he had a conversation with Will Smith to be in the film. While Chan tried to dismiss that everybody from Hollywood wants him in the film after they meet, but they just disappear, in a 2010 interview with Lopez Tonight. However, a year later, the Hong Kongese actor received a call at his office from Smith, citing that he wanted the actor to do ‘Karate Kid.’

In the response, Chan said, “Okay! Who’s the teacher?” As the audience burst into laughter, he explained, “I thought I’m the Karate Kid. I already forget how old I am.” “I still think I am the kid,” he continued, adding that Smith corrected him by saying that he was the teacher in the film.

About 'Karate Kid'

Directed by Harald Zwart, ‘Karate Kid’ revolves around a 12-year-old kid, Dre Parker, who faces his bully after moving to Beijing. Coming to the rescue, a mysterious maintenance worker becomes his personal Karate teacher, showing him the art of living and making him regain his confidence. With 3/5 stars, the Times of India reviewed, “Jackie Chan sheds his comic sheen for a more serious visage; Jaden is fluid motion and poetry and the locales.

” Meanwhile, Jackie Chan starred in the latest film from the aforementioned franchise, ‘Karate Kid: Legends.’ Released on May 30, 2025, the film revolved around bringing Chan and Ralph Macchio together to train a new prodigy.