Hong Kong action legend Jackie Chan has come under fire after a resurfaced interview clip allegedly showed him mocking martial arts icon Bruce Lee, sparking heated debate among fans across Asia.
According to Sinchew, the video originally filmed years ago has recently gone viral again amid a string of negative headlines surrounding Jackie Chan’s personal controversies. In the clip, Chan imitates Bruce Lee’s signature battle cry and smirks while commenting:
“It looks strange, doesn’t it? Audiences get tired of watching it. Please, no one imitate Bruce Lee anymore. Seriously.”
The actor’s tone, coupled with his mocking expression, immediately angered viewers who accused him of disrespecting the late martial arts legend.
During the same interview, the host asked, “If you and Bruce Lee were the same age and in your prime, who would win in a fight?”
Chan hesitated before responding: “Let him win. I’m taller and bigger than Bruce Lee. His muscles were very tight, but I’m no weaker. In fact, our martial arts techniques today are a hundred times more advanced than his.”
He went on to say that Bruce Lee had been “overly idolized”, adding: “He created Jeet Kune Do. I could create my own ‘Dragon Fist Style’ too but I don’t.”
These remarks combined with his mock imitation were interpreted by many as arrogant and dismissive toward Lee, who remains a cultural hero across Asia and beyond.
Fans quickly flooded social media with criticism, calling Chan “disrespectful” and “ungrateful.” One netizen wrote: “Without Bruce Lee, there would be no Jackie Chan. He opened the door for martial arts cinema!”. Another commented, “Mocking a man who inspired generations shows just how out of touch he’s become.”
Many accused Chan of letting fame cloud his humility, while others argued the clip was taken out of context and exaggerated by online outrage.
The backlash arrives at a difficult time for the 70-year-old actor, who has recently been embroiled in multiple controversies involving former collaborators.
Notably, Mars a veteran stunt coordinator and longtime member of Chan’s famed “Jackie Chan Stunt Team” accused the actor of being stingy and neglectful toward his crew. Mars, who worked with Chan for 16 years on hit films like Drunken Master II and City Hunter, claimed he once suffered a severe injury that left him unable to work for three years, yet received only 10,000 yuan (approx. $1,400) in compensation and was later moved from a salaried position to project-based pay.
Other former teammates, including Yuen Wah and Chung Fat, have also publicly criticized Chan for his alleged lack of generosity and leadership, painting a picture starkly different from the heroic image fans once adored.
Despite the growing chorus of criticism, Jackie Chan has remained silent, refusing to address either the resurfaced Bruce Lee clip or the allegations from his ex-colleagues.
Sources: Znews
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