Jackie Chan Announces Retirement: 'The World is Too Violent Right Now'
Action star Jackie Chan has announced that he will retire from the entertainment industry. Chan also stated that he feels the world is "too violent right now. It's a dilemma - I love fighting. I like action, but I don't like violence."
The announcement came at the premiere of his last film, "Chinese Zodiac" at the Cannes Film Festival.
"This is my last action film. I am not young any more. I am really, really tired," he explained. Chan has been acting since the 1960s, appearing in no less than 100 films.
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He is a living icon and has earned his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Chan has also served as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, which he says is very important to him.
"Day by day, year by year, I'm going to show you the real Jackie Chan," he said at the premiere.
"I want the audience to know also I'm not only a comedian. I can act. I don't just want to be an action star; I want to be a true actor. I want to get rid of my image. I want the audience to know I am not just about fighting. I can also act," he said.
His latest film, "Chinese Zodiac," follows the adventures of a man seeking to recover the 12 bronze heads of the Chinese Zodiac. It's a story based upon the true story of the heads, which were actually stolen in the 19th century. To date, only seven have been recovered.
Fans are not surprised by the news, as Chan's body has taken brutal punishment in the 40 years he's been acting.
"I love Jackie Chan and to be honest, he is right, the world is too violent! I can't think of anybody else who could possibly replace him! He is a legend!" Lyndsey from North Wales posted on the Daily Mail website.
"Too bad," noted user Faust, "not too many celebrity role models like him left."
