Jackie Chan Blasts Hollywood’s “Business First” Filmmaking at Locarno Festival

With over six decades of bone-breaking stunts and global box office triumphs, Jackie Chan has earned the right to critique cinema’s evolution. At Switzerland’s prestigious Locarno International Film Festival, the martial arts legend delivered a sobering verdict on modern Hollywood, lamenting the industry’s shift from artistic vision to pure profit motives. His candid remarks spotlight the growing tension between commerce and creativity that defines today’s film landscape.

Why Does Jackie Chan Believe Old Movies Were Superior?

Chan minced no words during the festival Q&A: “I think the old movies are better than today. Right now, a lot of big studios, they’re not filmmakers, they’re business guys.” He pinpointed the core issue as financial anxiety dictating creative decisions, noting executives obsess over ROI before cameras even roll. “They invest 40 million and think, ‘How can I get it back?’ And you can’t go over. It’s very difficult to make a good movie now.”

This reality manifests in studios shelving near-complete films like Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme for tax write-offs—a trend Chan implies prioritizes balance sheets over audience experiences. His critique echoes concerns raised in the 2023 USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative report, which highlighted risk aversion as a primary barrier to original storytelling.

How Financial Pressures Reshape Modern Cinema

The “business-first” approach Chan describes has tangible consequences:

• Formulaic Franchises: Studios increasingly rely on sequels and superhero universes to guarantee returns, sidelining mid-budget dramas and original concepts.
• Creative Compromise: Directors face rigid budgetary ceilings and committee-driven edits, diluting artistic intent.
• Talent Disillusionment: As noted in the 2024 Sundance Film Festival keynote, financial pressures contribute to rising filmmaker burnout.

Chan’s observations align with data from the Motion Picture Association’s 2023 Theme Report, showing studios allocated 78% of production budgets to established IPs versus new properties—a 15% increase from 2019.

What Jackie Chan’s Legacy Means for Hollywood’s Future

At 71, Chan acknowledges his own action-hero days are numbered: “I cannot do this forever. It’s just so dangerous.” He humorously revealed shifting focus to singing to counter typecasting. Yet his influence remains unparalleled, with classics like Drunken Master and Police Story inspiring generations of filmmakers.

The fate of projects like Rush Hour 4 now hinges on navigating the very system Chan criticizes. Will studios greenlight it for artistic merit or purely for guaranteed returns? His warning serves as a rallying cry: when financiers override creators, cinema loses its soul.

Jackie Chan’s Locarno Festival critique exposes a critical crossroads for Hollywood: profit motives mustn’t eclipse the passion that built the industry. As streaming and AI reshape entertainment, Chan reminds us that memorable films emerge from creative courage—not spreadsheet calculations. Share your favorite Jackie Chan classic using #RealFilmmaking on social media.

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Must Know

Q: What exactly did Jackie Chan criticize about Hollywood?
A: Chan condemned studios for prioritizing financial returns over artistry, stating executives are “business guys” not filmmakers who obsess over recouping investments, stifling creative risk-taking.

Q: Why does Jackie Chan prefer older films?
A: He believes past eras allowed filmmakers greater creative freedom, whereas today’s rigid profit targets force compromises that diminish storytelling quality and originality.

Q: How does this “business-first” approach impact movies?
A: It leads to shelved films for tax benefits (Batgirl), reliance on franchises over original ideas, and constrained budgets that limit directorial vision.

Q: Will Jackie Chan retire from action films?
A: At 71, he acknowledges the physical limits of stunt work but hasn’t retired. He’s exploring other avenues like music while considering projects like Rush Hour 4.

Q: What’s Jackie Chan’s most influential film?
A: Drunken Master (1978) revolutionized action comedy, while Police Story (1985) showcased his signature blend of daring stunts and slapstick humor.

Q: How can Hollywood balance business and art?
A: Chan implies empowering filmmakers over financiers. Mid-budget films and streaming platforms offer hope for equilibrium, as noted in the 2023 Sundance Creative Economy Study.