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Do you enjoy watching martial arts flicks? So you should put the 1978 movieDrunken Masteron your watch list. The movie, which starred Jackie Chan as the Chinese folk hero ‘Wong Fei-Hung’, is a timeless masterpiece of martial arts cinema. In doing so, this Yuen Woo-ping-directed film helped theRush Houractor establish himself as a household name in Asia.
Chan and Woo-ping’s second collaboration came withDrunken Master,which was released later that year following the success ofSnake in the Eagle’s Shadow.The success ofDrunken Masterled to the Hong Kong actor accepting the creative position forDrunken Master II,where he was able to address some of the problems he had with the overall presentation of the first film.
So, when the time came for aDrunken Mastersequel, it only made sense for Chan to have a bigger say in the direction of the film.Although Lau Kar-Leung, who died on June 18, 2025, directedDrunken Master II,The Karate Kidactor wanted to change the plot to better fit his vision.
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Jackie Chan’s Evolution From Drunken Master to Extraordinary Role Model
Jackie Chanportrayed a younger, more impulsive Wong Fei-Hung in the 1978 filmDrunken Master,who took up martial arts as a means of developing his emotional stability. Every fight featured his hilarious expressions and incredible moves. It was indeed a clever blend of comedy and martial arts action.
In the sequel, which was released much later, Fei-Hung was depicted as being older and dealing with both a volatile temper and a kung fu style that called for consuming copious amounts of alcohol. Chan aimed to better engage younger viewers with the sequel movie’s message.
The Hong Kong actor provided an explanation in an interview for the 35th anniversary of the first movie (via Films Extras):
“When I saw ‘Drunken Master’ after I became popular — it is a great movie, but I was a little disappointed. Because I taught kids about drinking liquor and I hit people through the movie. So when I directed the last half of ‘Drunken Master 2’, I adjusted the wrong parts of the story right away. Too much drinking and fighting are wrong.”
Also read:“At least I die for myself”: Jackie Chan Pleaded With Director to Keep His One Request While Performing Near-Fatal Stunt in $34M Movie With Michelle Yeoh
What Prevented Jackie Chan From MakingDrunken Master 3?
Despite being among Jackie Chan’s most cherished movies, the thirdDrunken Mastermovie was never made.Although there is aDrunken Master III,there is no connection to thePolice Storyactor.
Andy Lau, Michelle Reis, Willie Chi, Simon Yam, Lau Kar-leung, Adam Cheng, and Gordon Liu appeared in the 1994 filmDrunken Master III, which was directed by Lau Kar-leung.
Chan has been approached about taking the lead role inDrunken Master 3, but he insisted that his participation would depend on a strong script. Even then, the actor was hesitant to reprise his role as the Drunken Master. He elaborated when the conversation turned to sequels (via IGN):
“We’ve been talking about Drunken Master 3 for a long time but nobody can write the script. Drunken Master 1 I teach drinking, fighting, drinking, fighting and the audience liked it. Everybody ‘Ha, ha, ha.’ But then I grew up and realised I’m wrong. I send out the wrong message. I have to make Part 2 to tell the audience ‘Don’t drink! Don’t fight!’ I have to correct myself. All those years slowly correct everything.”
The 69-year-old actor claimed thatDrunken Master II’sconclusion left his character’s future unclear:
“I believe after Drunken Master 2 – stop – better than we make no more. Unless we have a better script. Just like lately they want to make Rush Hour 4. I said ‘No, show me the script first. I don’t need another Rush Hour 4. You need Rush Hour 4. Show me the script.’ I don’t want to do a rubbish script just because they want to make the movie.”
Despite its name,Drunken Master IIIwas not a continuation of theDrunken Masterfilm franchise and was generally regarded as an imitator.
Well, Chan’s next appearance will be inRush Hour 4, the fourth entry in theRush Hourfilm series, which also starsChris Tucker.
You can streamDrunken Masteron Amazon Prime Video, whileDrunken Master IIcan be rented on Apple TV.
Also read:“He was just like a normal person”: Jackie Chan Had an Unexpected Response After Steven Spielberg’s Strange Request Left Him Stunned in First Meeting
Source-Films Extras
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
