The Inspiration Behind Chinese Zodiac

-- Chinese Zodiac --
While promoting Little Big Soldier, Jackie Chan speaks of that which gave rise to the inspiration behind Armour of God III: Chinese Zodiac, his 100th movie in the leading role. It was six years back when Jackie Chan decided to do this film of exceptional meaning on recovery of lost Chinese national treasures - the last four missing pieces of Gardens of Perfect Clarity's 12 Head Statues of Chinese Zodiac.

He wants to address, through the film, the inequity concerning Chinese relics being kept elsewhere, "I once saw a Chinese Zodiac animal bust being auctioned in a foreign country, I was immensely stirred, why do we keep losing our national treasures to other countries? Last year, two more busts were auctioned, re-igniting my will to shoot the movie Chinese Zodiac. Why does such and such museum have so many Chinese national treasures? These are loots. Many big countries are saying those are world legacies, and they're safekeeping them, but in reality, they just want to possess them.

"Once, I set aside US$30m, intending to quietly buy back an animal bust for China. However, the final bid was US$100m, it was far too high, beyond what I could afford, and I had to give up. I had thought of making use of my kungfu skills, sneak into those museums, and get back all those lost national treasures one by one. But, their security was too high. But I believe, all these artifacts will gradually be returned by and by."  

Jackie Chan is leaving no stones unturned on Chinese Zodiac, allocating 70m yuan for one major action scene alone, "I have been hesitant about this for a long time, many told me it is too extravagant, and advised me against it. But eventually, I still go for it. This film will contain many vigorous action scenes, I'd almost be fighting throughout the film, but my most demanding action scenes will stop at this movie."  Hunan TV, Information Times