Behind the Scenes - The Forbidden Kingdom

The Forbidden Kingdom hits theaters this Friday, April 18, 2008.

Watch the behind the scenes featurette which takes a look at Jackie Chan and Jet Li, working with Yuen Woo-Ping (Matrix, Kung Fu Hustle, Kill Bill) on the choreography for the fight scenes.

The two stars had no problem filming fight scenes together and in fact, found a natural groove.

THE FIGHT SCENES

“I just let him know my rhythm,” said Jackie Chan. “Mostly, when I fight with people [we need] more than 10 takes, 15 takes. Every time I fight with Jet Li - three takes. The more difficult fights - five takes, that’s all.”

Jet Li has said on Chan's official blog, "In the past I have seldom had a fight sequence with more than ten movements because most of my fighting partners could only do three or four; they couldn’t do it smoothly enough or fast enough.

We would have to change lenses or change angles to make the shot shorter. Honestly, I feel very happy. We’ve tried our best to do a good job; both of us have fought for so many years. I feel a little tired, but I know that the world audience is waiting to see that fight scene."

Commenting on his co-star and their goals for film, Jet Li went on to say:

"Jackie and I have the same concept and that is we like to shoot different types of movies, try different things, and we both want to promote Chinese culture and martial arts to the rest of the world. Some people like to make comparisons. Not us. From the bottom of my heart, I really respect Jackie."

THE STORY
An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself traveling back to ancient China.

There he meets a kung fu master Sha Monk (Jackie Chan, right), the Orphan Warrior (played by actress Yifei Liu) and the Silent Monk (Jet Li, left). He joins the crew of warriors fighting to rescue the imprisoned Monkey King (also played by Jet Li).

Visit the official website.

PREVIOUS ARTICLES:

The Forbidden Kingdom - Jet Li & Jackie Chan

Jackie, Jet & The Forbidden Kingdom

Jackie Chan & Jet Li Film Enlists Yuen Woo-Ping

Jet Li / Jackie Chan Film Based on Monkey King

Jet Li & Jackie Chan to Star in New Film Together?