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 First
Movie |
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At
the tender age of 18 he had seen the world. It was soon after that Hong Kong
Cinema started to notice the little champion to be much more. Li’s legend
was set in stone the moment he took on the film “Shaolin Temple.” The
film alone inspired a country to embrace its history and re-open a forgotten
art. The incredible work and situations that ALL the actors went through to
create this timeless film is documented by the actor himself as being,
“Pretty memorable, that movie”. Li Lian Jie became Jet Li for his
strength and speed. His path lay before him, destined to be one of China’s
greatest stars in more ways than one. |
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His
Acting |
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From his timeless accounts of a Shaolin Monk, to the universal appeal
of “Once Upon a time in China” that spanned across the globe, to the
“Last Hero in China,” he has covered every aspect of the Chinese
culture. Jet Li’s acting abilities have been noted by fans to be uniquely
captivating and wondrously memorizing. His fighting ability aside, he has every
one’s attention around the world to his graceful presence. Even though
many hold Jet Li as a role model, he prefers to not be given the title of
“Idol” or “Prodigy,” but more as a human who works very
hard to please his fans.
Jet’s outstanding acting led many of his
earlier works to spawn sequels, all gaining the success of the original. Even
though his films are known for their captivating stunts and martial arts, many
of Jet’s movies are also known for the life that he breaths into each
character, and the unique values that each hold.
His “alternate
personalities” include: a runaway slave monk, a soldier, the immortal 19th
century folk hero who traveled the world and had adventures that will be told
for years to come, a frustrated comical rebel, a kung-fu cult master, an insane
monk, a body guard, a Bruce Lee revival of the legendary patriot, an undercover
cop, a doctor, an ex-super soldier, a rookie hitman, a Triad Member, and
now…an escaped convicted cop who runs to America to avenge his brothers
death, and is caught up in a Romeo and Juliet love story set in the time of
20th century Gang Wars.
Twenty Seven movies later, fate has handed Jet
a river of opportunities as his fame in the New World rises at the speed of
daily deals landing on his name in the Holly Wood Gossip Ring. |
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His Breaking
into America |
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His
charisma shines through to the world and his now “leap of faith” to
America has been a warm welcome. Marking his first debut in the American
favorite “Lethal Weapon” Series, he was placed on the list of
“Great Bad Guys.” He stunned the American audience the moment he
delivered a graceful, swift kick off of one arm, then turned. Instantaneously,
before the audience could grasp what happened, the gun shaft lay in Li's hand,
and the victims lay silent on the floor.
His previous “good
karma” with sequels adds to that with his joining the very successful
“Lethal Weapon” Series. Per a previous deal agreed upon by Li and
Joel Silver, Jet was to play a bad guy first and then he would be given the
star roll as the good guy in “Romeo Must Die.” A box office hit, his
first feature film has many mixed reviews. Those who have loved him from his
outstanding work in China seem to be disappointed in his recent
“lack” of dazzling martial arts affects. However, many who have not
been granted the history before “Romeo Must Die,” have been very
satisfied and are anxious to see what the rising star has next to show them.
In his growth as an actor, he has overcome many things to be the person
he is today. His recent accomplishments lay in his voyage to American soil. Jet
has put forth incredible effort to learn everything he can about America, its
language, its way of thinking, and most importantly, how to please its
audience. “Inside Kung Fu Magazine” contains an article where Jet Li
states himself, “(Martial arts action) is what I’m known for and no
producers or company will hire me to do something else. Many audiences know me
for what I do so why would they pay money to see me do something else?”
Jet’s personal wish to do more than action movies has been noted, but as
yet to be fulfilled as the world screams for him to deliver the same breath
taking performances he is legend for in China.
Joining the ranks in
America, he is welcomed by his brothers before him: Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat,
and Sammo Hung. Jet is also taking his talents in a new direction as he joins
forces with Academy Award Winning Actor, Producer, and Director…Mel
Gibbson. In late 2000 or early 2001, America will bare witness to the combined
efforts of both great men as they premier an action TV series entitled,
“Invincible,” on TBS. The series has combined the best of both the
East and the West to provide entertainment like none seen before.
To
top of his list of goals set forth in this day and age, Jet is heading a
project to produce a video game that teaches the youth about helping others,
going on magical quests, and doing more than (as Jet says) just “killing
the bad guys.” |
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