Pulling new punches

Jackie Chan (third from left) leads a group of young actors in his latest film Chinese Zodiac 12. Provided to China Daily

Jackie Chan realizes he isn't getting any younger and is searching for young talent to replace him as Chinese action film's new icon. Liu Wei reports in Beijing.

Jackie Chan was on the set of his latest film Chinese Zodiac 12. He was supposed to jump through a picture frame hanging from the ceiling but got stuck. He crashed to the floor and injured his waist.

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Before anyone moved to help him, he said: "I'm not dead. Don't be so quiet."

He slowly got up and walked toward the corner of the room, blood oozing from his back.

Chan recovered soon after. But the incident made him think.

"I told myself I can't be so lucky every time," Chan says.

"I have to admit, I'm not a young man anymore. That was when I decided Chinese Zodiac 12 would be my last major action film. That means I will still make action films but not on this scale."

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Chinese Zodiac 12 is also Chan's 101st film. The danger of filmmaking is frightening but fascinating at the same time, motivating the 58-year-old to write, direct and lead the action comedy to be released on Dec 20.

"You may not believe it, but I still panic before shooting actions scenes," he tells China Daily.

"But not many people have the chance to have an entire road blocked for them to fly above. And when shooting Police Story, I fell off the roof of a building. When I was descending, I saw surprised girls standing in front of the window with their mouths wide open. It was fun."

He also enjoys innovative choreography.

In Chinese Zodiac 12, he wears a rollerblading suit in a chase scene filmed on zigzagging mountain roads, tries to fly without an engine and rides a log that tumbles downhill.

Everyday objects, such as sofas and paintings, become weapons.