In the realm of legendary kung fu film stars, Jet Li stood out significantly from peers like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan through his stellar performance in “Martial Arts of Shaolin”. While Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan undeniably hold top positions, Jet Li’s talent and dedication have earned him a spot close to the duo. With an extensive filmography primarily focusing on Hong Kong productions, Jet Li exhibits versatility across various genres such as modern action, fantasy, and period dramas. However, most of his notable films showcase his exceptional kung fu abilities.
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can confidently say that over the decades, Jet Li has left an indelible mark on the martial arts genre, gracing it with masterpieces such as “Fist of Legend,” “Fearless,” and “Once Upon a Time in China.” Just like other esteemed actors, his success in Hong Kong eventually piqued the interest of Hollywood, leading to roles in some high-profile action films. What sets Li apart from Chan or Lee, however, is an achievement that’s unique to his career – a collaboration with Shaw Brothers, which stands as one of the significant milestones in his martial arts movie journey.
Jet Li Made One Movie With Shaw Brothers, Something Both Bruce Lee & Jackie Chan Never Did
Martial Arts Of Shaolin Gave Jet Li His First & Only Shaw Brothers Collaboration
Jet Li launched his acting career in the hit kung fu film, “Shaolin Temple“. The success of this movie paved the way for a follow-up, “New Kids of Shaolin“, and together they formed a trilogy with the 1986 release, “Martial Arts of Shaolin“. Notably, this third film was produced by Shaw Brothers, which was a significant leap for Jet Li as it was one of the dominant forces in the kung fu movie industry at that time. In contrast to his first two films made with a smaller company, being cast in a Shaw Brothers production marked a substantial milestone for Jet Li.
Shaw Brothers boasted a robust and consistent roster of well-known actors, superior production quality compared to their peers, and an array of gifted directors at their fingertips. Their films catapulted the careers of many iconic figures in the genre, including Gordon Liu, Lo Lieh, Lau Kar-leung, and Cheng Pei-pei. Shaw Brothers is also renowned for creating several masterpieces in martial arts cinema: 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Come Drink With Me, and Five Deadly Venoms. Being part of a Shaw Brothers production was a source of great pride.
Why Bruce Lee & Jackie Chan Never Made Any Shaw Brothers Movies
They Considered Signing With Shaw Brothers, But Didn’t
Jet Li made his debut and swansong in a Shaw Brothers production, an achievement that exceeded what both Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan accomplished. Despite Shaw Brothers’ renown for producing some of the greatest kung fu films, neither Lee nor Chan collaborated with them. However, this wasn’t due to a lack of chances. At various points, both Chan and Lee attempted to join a Shaw Brothers film, but these attempts didn’t come to fruition.
When Bruce Lee came back to Hong Kong with dreams of a career in kung fu films, he initially approached Shaw Brothers as his first choice of studio. However, as mentioned in Bruce Lee: A Life by Matthew Polly, Lee was not content with the salary they offered. Consequently, he decided to focus on Golden Harvest, a much smaller rival studio, and gained fame through films like The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, and Way of the Dragon. It’s said that Bruce Lee later considered working with Shaw Brothers again, but unfortunately, he passed away before any such collaboration could take place.
Jackie Chan, much like Bruce Lee before him, had an opportunity with Shaw Brothers, but instead signed with Golden Harvest. According to Chan, he felt that Shaw Brothers didn’t seem fully committed to making him a global star. Furthermore, he recognized the immense pool of talent within Shaw Brothers, which made him believe there were boundaries to their collaboration. In contrast, Jet Li chose not to be bound by a multi-film contract with Shaw Brothers. Instead, he debuted in Martial Arts of Shaolin, and then pursued other projects.
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2025-05-30 05:28