Chan You Kick It

Last night the Vue cinema in Leicester Square was invaded by a truly globetrotting bunch of stars for the Around the World in 80 Days premiere. Steve Coogan and Jim Broadbent stepped out for Blighty, Cecile de France represented Belgium and Jackie Chan flew the flag for Hong Kong. Crowds braved the highly inhospitable British weather to see their heroes in the flesh and got utterly drenched by the elements for their trouble. So what did the stars have to say about their take on Jules Verne's classic adventure tale? The man sometimes known as Alan Partridge, and more occasionally as a woman named Pauline, wants us all to go see it. "It's a very funny family movie, for kids, Jackie Chan's in it so it's only cartoon violence. It's an adventure, and they keep changing locations all around the world so you never get bored." So did working with the master stuntman himself, was Coogan tempted to follow in Jackie Chan's action-loving footsteps? Er, sort of. "I fall off a table," he said. Well, best leave it to the professionals we suppose. Meanwhile Jackie Chan sees this film as "more like a cartoon, for the children" but plans to follow it up with "heavy drama" before he goes on to make Rush Hour 3. "It's like Robert De Niro," said the stunt-loving star. "Heavy drama I like, comedy, horrible movie, everything". We think that might be horror movie, but you get the idea. He also talked about the appearance in the film by another action hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger. "He wanted to do that, he wanted to make fun of himself and he wanted to wear a wig and have seven wives." The Governator's appearance in the film may well be his last if he stays in politics, so the film surely marks a turning point in cinema history. But as the film rolled and the cast packed their bags to head on around the world for another 80 days of press, we leave you with the wise words of Jackie Chan, clearly a proponent of cardiovascular health, to his co-star Coogan. "Yes! Walk! Go, walk! You always take the elevator! I said no! Walk! That's the only way you can exercise!