The success of kung fu star Jackie Chan's movie, "Dragon Blade," which passed the $80-million box-office threshold in China prompted accusations of tainted nationalism thrown at the legendary action star. To which, Chan responded that he has always been a patriot.
Chan's role in the movie was as commander of the Protectorate of the Western Regions who then joined with Lucius to protect Chinese sovereignty in the borders. This has aroused accusations that the kung fu star is using "patriotism" in order to sell tickets at the box office.
Chan, obviously troubled with the accusations, defended himself by saying that he has always been a patriot.
"I have always been a patriot. Is it wrong? If people are cursed for being a patriot, please curse me," Chan said in an interview with CCTV6, the state broadcast CCTV's movie channel.
Chan further said that he has been planning to make the movie since seven years ago, but government prohibition on the preservation and protection of the Silk Road prevented him from doing so. Chan also said that he certainly hopes President Xi Jinping would watch the "Dragon Blade."
"Dragon Blade" was this year's biggest winner, box-office wise, during the Lunar Holiday movie season, earning $72 million on its first six days of screening.
Aside from Jackie Chan, "Dragon Blade" stars big Hollywood actors John Cusack and Adrien Brody and is under the direction of Daniel Lee. The cast also includes Choi Si-won, member of the popular South Korean K-pop band Super Junior.
The movie was based on a missing legion of Roman soldiers who traveled to China in 48 B.C. Cusack plays the Roman general Lucius, who led 1,000 soldiers to the Han Dynasty. Brody plays the role of Tiberius, who chases Lucius with an army of 100,000 soldiers.
Speaking at a Beijing event celebrating "Dragon Blade's" success after passing the 500-million-yuan ($80 million) mark in the box office, Chan said he does not care about the revenues and online promotion of the film, admitting that he does not understand e-commerce. To the legendary fung fu star, a movie is finished when he is done shooting.