“Shanghai Knights” Japanese Theatrical Poster
It’s been over ten years since the release of 2003’s Shanghai Knights – and, indeed, it’s strange to reflect back on a time when Donnie Yen’s most high-profile gigs included a cameo in a Jackie Chan Hollywood movie – and rumors of a sequel have been long dormant.
The franchise, which saw Jackie Chan’s Imperial guard teaming up with Owen Wilson’s laconic outlaw, was always viewed as something of an Old West take on the popular Rush Hour formula (i.e. pair Jackie Chan’s fists of fury with a fast-talking funnyman).
Now, THR reports that MGM has recruited Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) to direct Shanghai Dawn. Back in ’03 Owen Wilson had told Empire Magazine he thought a third film in the series might see him and Jack head to Egypt. Who knows if that particular plotline will survive, but the question remains: would you be interested in seeing Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson team up one last time to close out the Shanghai Noon trilogy?
In addition to Shanghai Noon, Chan now currently has many movies on his current/to-do list, including Bleeding Steel, Chinese Zodiac 2, The Civilian and a possible Rush Hour sequel. In the next year or so, you can catch him in a handful of upcoming titles, which include Foreigner, Kung Fu Yoga and Railroad Tigers. His latest released film, Skiptrace, is currently available On Demand.
I’d definitely love to see this happen. Noon’s one of Jackie’s best English-language films, and Knights just upped the ante. I’d dig seeing it come full circle with Chon and Roy old friends at this point, and something happens that puts the duo in China this time around. Or maybe even Japan. Chon and Roy vs. the Yakuza.
Don’t forget that alleged Karate Kid reboot sequel.
I absolutely loved the Shanghai movies. The chemistry between Wilson and Chan was so much better than that seen in the Rush Hour flicks. I really, really hope this happens.