USA: Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan shine at the "Rush Hour 3" Hollywood premiere

Funnyman Chris Tucker has reunited with martial arts star Jackie Chan for "Rush Hour 3." This time the popular on-screen duo hit the streets of Paris for another buddy adventure movie. In the third installment of the hit action-comedy film franchise, Tucker and Chan reprised their roles as LAPD Detective James Carter and Chinese Chief Inspector Lee. On Monday (July 30) night, the two stars shared the red carpet in front of the famous Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood with the cast of the film. Hundred of fans were on hand to greet Chan, who slapped and shook the hands of the dozens lined up across Hollywood Boulevard on his way to the press line. When asked how he and Tucker managed to work so seamlessly together, Chan told Reuters that the relationship between the actors actually began on a rather chilly note. "'Rush Hour 1' I don't really like him," Chan admitted. "He was shy, he was always hiding from me. My English not good at that time. I was hiding. We both hiding. And by the time we just finished five months later, we becoming a friend, we go back. The movie done. 'Rush Hour 2', based in Hong Kong, so this why-- that's my hood. I have take care of them, then becoming a good friend. And now is a buddy." Tucker agreed he and his co-star now share a special bond, noting that he travels to Hong Kong to visit him when he can. Tucker also praised Chan's martial arts and acting skills, and said in the "Rush Hour" movies the two men were able to combine their individual talents to create an audience-pleasing blend of motion picture magic. "You know it's just perfect," smiled Tucker. "Because Jackie is a, his action comedy mixed perfect with my stand-up comedy. And, you know, we both are physical, uh, we both understand comedy. He has great energy and when we put it together it's just a great mix." Chinese actress Zhang Jing Chu explained to Reuters that the prospect of working with Chan made her nervous at first, mostly because she felt like such a novice at stunts. However, she said the martial arts master made her feel at ease right away. "Making this movie, for me, it was my first English movie, actually I never understood English before any movies," confided Chu. "But stunts in it, because I always have to do it, because I always have to do with Jackie, so we always have to practice together, and I just always a little bit nervous, because he's like a master of kung fu and I'm just a newcomer. And he always has to raise me and use me as a weapon to kick somebody. And then when we were shooting it was good, because everytime all I have to do when we're together is just relax." For fellow actress Youki Kudoh, who was born on Tokyo, Japan, playing a role in a comedy was a different experience for her than the other movies that she has made, such as "Memoirs of a Geisha." "It was a great honor and also I never had this blast in my whole life working on the movie," laughed Kudoh. "Because everybody was like a family and we all like, you know, making fun, having good time. I didn't know that making a film was such a great joy." Celebrity guests who attended the showing of the movie included basketball legend Magic Johnson, singer Tyrese, music producer extraordinaire Quincy Jones, and celebrity socialite Paris Hilton. "Rush Hour 3" follows the wildly successful "Rush Hour 2," reportedly the highest grossing comedy of all time. And together with the original "Rush Hour," the total worldwide take was 600 (USD) million. The film was set in Los Angeles, New York and Paris. But Chan says other places, including Africa and Hawaii, were considered as possible locations. Academy Award-winning director Roman Polanski has a bit part in the film as a detective. This is only his second role in an American film in 33 years. His first was in "Chinatown" in 1974, for which he received a Best Director Oscar nomination. "Rush Hour 3" is set to be released in North America on August 10.

ITN Source | August 1, 2007

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