A fascinating journey into honesty in publicity today. Jackie Chan and Jet Li have been paired together for the first time (a combination of equivalent significance to Pacino and De Niro appearing in a scene together in Heat) in a new Hollywood production titled “The Forbidden Kingdom.” The results: not great according to Jackie. Li concurred, telling his public not to have too high expectations for the Chan/Li fight scene. It is refreshing to have people come out and admit that they’re doing it for the money, and can’t even be bothered to pretend that the results are good.

In all fairness, what do you expect from a Hollywood take-off on Journey to the West with an American kid in place of Tripitaka. I at least hope the kid is successful in bringing Buddhist learning to China. For a solid adaptation of Journey to the West, check out The Cave of Silken Web.

::: Report: Jackie Chan says new movie with Jet Li ‘not great’
Mainichi Daily News, September 18, 2007