Action cinema's most enduring star is proving once again that age is no obstacle to adrenaline. Jackie Chan, now 72 years old, has returned to one of his most beloved franchises, throwing himself into spectacular new stunts in Armour of God IV: Ultimatum. Fresh behind-the-scenes footage shows the actor sliding down the curved exterior of the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan, a sequence that looks as dangerous as any from his 1970s and 1980s prime.

The new film marks Chan's return to the Armour of God series, a franchise he started in 1986 with the original Armour of God. In that movie, Chan starred as Jackie, aka Asian Hawk, an Indiana Jones-style treasure hunter. The sequel has been decades in the making and aims to recapture the spirit of the first two installments, which are considered classics of Hong Kong action cinema.

A franchise born from one of Chan's most dangerous moments

The Armour of God series holds a special place in Chan's career, partly because of the near-disaster that occurred during its production. In 1986, Chan suffered a life-threatening head injury while filming a stunt for Armour of God. He was performing a take from a tree branch, and when he jumped, the branch snapped. He fell, struck his head on a rock, and fractured his skull. Chan was later airlifted to a hospital, and a drill was inserted into his skull to relieve the pressure on his brain. The accident left him with a permanent small hole in his skull, one he now uses to relieve pressure during long flight landings. The injury also served as a reminder of how far Chan will go for his art.

The original film introduced Asian Hawk as a former singer and martial artist turned adventurer. Chan played the role both in front of and behind the camera, directing the picture while also writing and choreographing its action. The basic premise was simple: a treasure hunter sets out to rescue a woman kidnapped by a cult that wants a legendary armor suit. That story, with pulpy dialogue and spectacular stunt work, captured audiences across Asia and beyond. The 1991 sequel, Armour of God II: Operation Condor, was also a massive hit and became a favorite of Quentin Tarantino, who later incorporated elements of its giant globe climax into his Kill Bill series.

Why the new sequel matters

By 2012, Chan returned for Armour of God III: Chinese Zodiac, which he directed and co-wrote with long-time collaborator Stanley Tong. That film saw Asian Hawk hunting down bronze zodiac heads from China's Old Summer Palace, and it did solid business, but it did not receive the same warm reception as the original two films. Critics and fans noted that digital effects and an enormous cast sometimes distracted from the physicality that made the early films so exciting. Chan himself seemed aware of the shortcomings. In interviews, he has often stated that he wanted to make another Armour of God movie in a form closer to the original spirit, one that emphasizes practical stunts and location shooting.

Armour of God IV: Ultimatum is that attempt. According to production details, the new movie sees the Asian Hawk pulled out of retirement by a global hunt for a mysterious ancient relic called the Tumar. The reward for the item is more than $20 million, which draws mercenaries, archaeologists, and villains into a race across the world. The story is being directed by Robert Kun, known for Wanted and Day Watch, and produced by Salem Entertainment. The film is currently shooting in Kazakhstan, marking Chan's first production in that country.

The new behind-the-scenes clip, however, was filmed in Baku. The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, designed by starchitect Zaha Hadid, is the perfect backdrop for Chan's brand of stunt-driven action. Its flowing, white curves and dramatic angles make for a striking visual, and Chan is seen sliding down the building with his signature mix of grace and reckless speed. For a 72-year-old actor to still be doing this kind of work is remarkable, especially in an era when many action stars rely on digital doubles and harnesses.

Chan's enduring place in the action world

Chan's career has stretched over six decades. He began as a child actor in Hong Kong and later trained in martial arts and acrobatics at the China Drama Academy. His breakthrough into the wider world came with a series of Hong Kong films in the late 1970s and early 1980s, culminating in hits like Drunken Master and Police Story. His style, which blends physical comedy, martial arts, and dangerous stunt work, has been hugely influential. It is not uncommon for filmmakers like Edgar Wright and directors of the John Wick series to cite Chan as an inspiration.

In the 1990s, Chan crossed over to Hollywood with the Rush Hour franchise, which paired him with Chris Tucker. Those films introduced Chan to a new generation, and his reputation as a star who actually does his own stunts became part of his global brand. Even as he entered his 60s and 70s, Chan continued to make movies at a furious pace, alternating between American projects and Chinese productions. His 2023 film Ride On, for instance, showed off his still impressive stunt skills and earned positive reviews for its blend of action and emotion.

Key facts about Armour of God IV: Ultimatum

• Jackie Chan returns as the treasure hunter Asian Hawk in Armour of God IV: Ultimatum.
• The original Armour of God was released in 1986 and directed by Chan.
• The franchise previously spawned sequels in 1991 and 2012.
• The new film is directed by Robert Kun and produced by Salem Entertainment.
• Production is underway in Kazakhstan, with a major action sequence filmed at the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• The plot centers on a $20 million reward for an ancient artifact called the Tumar.
• The film is expected to be released in 2027.
• Chan is also developing Rush Hour 4 and a sequel to The Shadow's Edge.

What's next for Jackie Chan

The release of Armour of God IV: Ultimatum is expected in 2027, a long wait for fans. But Chan has other sequels on the way. Rush Hour 4 has been discussed for years, and reports indicate that it is now in development. Chan has also promised a sequel to The Shadow's Edge, a 2018 action thriller that was one of his best performances in recent years. With all these projects, the action icon shows no signs of slowing down.

Although the new Armour of God film will be released nearly a decade after Chinese Zodiac, its production has been handled with care. The choice to shoot in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan gives the series a fresh, international flavor, and the return to practical stunts should please long-time fans. Whether the film can match the legendary status of the 1986 original is impossible to say, but Chan's commitment to the role remains absolute. In the new footage, he is not merely appearing in front of a green screen; he is moving, running, sliding, and doing the kind of work that made him a legend in the first place.

For those who have followed Chan's career, seeing him back as the Asian Hawk is a reminder of why he became a movie star. He is, in many ways, the last of a generation of performers who treated their bodies as the special effect. While Tom Cruise has taken over the mantle of extreme stunt performance in Hollywood, Chan has never abandoned it, even as he approaches his 73rd year. The new clips from Armour of God IV: Ultimatum prove that he still has the reflexes, the timing, and the courage to deliver the impossible.

Rush Hour 4 remains one of the most anticipated films of the next several years, and The Shadow's Edge sequel will give Chan another chance to show his dramatic range. But first, audiences will get Armour of God IV: Ultimatum, a sequel that promises to bring the Asian Hawk back to screens in grand fashion.

Source:MSN News