At the Locarno Film Festival on August 10, 2025, Jackie Chan delivered a stark and stirring critique of modern Hollywood, offering laments that hit at the core of cinema’s creative soul. According to The Welsh Outlook citing his Locarno remarks, Chan asserted that today’s big studios have abandoned the art of filmmaking, replacing it with pure business calculus reported deadline.
“Right now, a lot of big studios, they’re not filmmakers, they’re business guys. They invest 40 million and think, ‘How can I get it back?’ It’s very difficult to make a good movie now,” he said.
Chan’s words carry extra weight when you consider his decades-long legacy as a hands-on action star. A physical comedian, stunt innovator, and bridge between East and West. His statement echoes an industry-wide discussion about the deteriorating balance between artistry and profitability in mainstream cinema.
This criticism isn’t entirely new for Chan. In a May 2025 interview with People, while promoting Karate Kid: Legends, he reflected on the Rush Hour trilogy, particularly the third installment. “Too much money, too much time,” he concluded, pointing out how the lacklustre reception of Rush Hour 3 stemmed from over investment and overproduction.
Combined, these comments paint a consistent picture of an industry that’s increasingly risk-averse, so much so that innovation, spontaneity, and character can get sidelined in favour of safer financial bets.Adding further perspective, Chan recently shared his thoughts on how technological advances like AI and green-screen effects have impacted action filmmaking.
During the Karate Kid: Legends premiere in New York, he lamented that, had he started his career in today’s digital age, he likely never would’ve performed his own stunts which have ultimately defined his notoriety and legacy. He emphasised that modern studios are far less tolerant of physical risk, a shift that could diminish the kind of visceral, real-world performance that made him a global icon.
Jackie Chan didn’t just turn heads at Locarno, he turned a mirror upon the studio system. His words aren’t merely nostalgic musings. They’re a challenge to today’s decision makers. If cinema is to remain vibrant and meaningful, it needs fewer ledger-driven mandates and more filmmakers daring to dream, or dare to jump off that clock tower.
