Stanley Tong on Rewriting ‘Supercop,’ Earning Jackie Chan’s Trust and Making Action Travel: ‘You Want to Make Dreams Come True’

Stanley Tong's Journey: From Stunt Work to Rewriting 'Supercop' with Jackie Chan

In a conversation at the Red Sea Film Festival, Stanley Tong, director and producer of several notable Hong Kong films, recounted the improbable path that led him from stunt work to one of the most significant collaborations in Jackie Chan's career. The journey began when Tong started training in martial arts and gymnastics as a child after meeting Bruce Lee through his brother-in-law, an actor.

Tong's early foray into the film industry was directly behind the camera, not behind a lens. As a stuntman, he suffered numerous injuries, including broken shoulders, ribs, back, and kneecap, which earned him many stitches and left his ankles twisted on multiple occasions. It was a grueling profession that pushed Tong to seek alternative routes.

When a severe shoulder injury forced him to leave the stunt industry, Tong's mother encouraged him to find a new job, leading him to explore production roles as a way to learn filmmaking from within. He began working in various departments, including script supervisor, assistant director, screenwriter, and camera operator, eventually landing the role of stunt coordinator in 1986.

The milestone project that catapulted Tong's career came when he was handed the script for "Police Story 3: Supercop," starring Jackie Chan. Initially overwhelmed by the responsibility, Tong realized that directing was his true calling, given the power dynamics at play in Hong Kong's film industry at the time. With this realization, he began to envision a new direction for the film.

Tong proposed relocating the story to a location where authorities would allow large-scale stunts and firearms, creating an opportunity for Chan to shine in a more substantial role. He also pushed for Michelle Yeoh to be cast as his co-lead, feeling that her action sequences were lacking in traditional Jackie Chan films. After securing the backing of both his boss and Chan himself, Tong set out to rework the script from scratch.

The end result was a film that not only revitalized Chan's career but also became an international sensation. The rewritten "Police Story 3: Supercop" earned Chan his first Hong Kong Film Award for best actor, paving the way for his global breakthrough. Looking back, Tong credits the film's success to working within constraints and understanding how to navigate hurdles.

For Tong, making a film is not just about bringing dreams to life but also about finding ways to overcome obstacles. "As a filmmaker, you want to make dreams come true," he emphasized, highlighting the importance of adaptability in his craft.

omg u think jckie chan can act lol he was already a superstar by the time supercop came out - 10/10 agree that michelle yeoh deserved more screen time tho

Just watched this crazy interview with Stanley Tong and I'm blown away by his journey from stunt work to rewriting Supercop with Jackie Chan He was literally broken multiple times but still made it big It's so inspiring to see how he adapted to the film industry and pushed boundaries, especially when others doubted him The fact that he took risks on Michelle Yeoh too is a testament to his vision And can you imagine if Supercop didn't happen? Chan's career might've taken a different turn Tong's story is a reminder that sometimes taking the road less traveled is what leads to success

I'm still amazed by Stanley Tong's journey from being a stuntman to rewriting one of Jackie Chan's biggest films . It's crazy how he went through so many injuries and had to find an alternative way into filmmaking. I think it's awesome that his mom supported him in finding a new path, and then he just kept pushing forward .

I love how Tong took the reins on "Supercop" and made some bold changes to the script . It's not easy to take someone else's work and make it your own, but I think that's what makes his success so inspiring . And can we talk about Michelle Yeoh for a sec? She was such an underrated actress before "Supercop" came along .

What really struck me is Tong's approach to filmmaking - he didn't let the constraints of the industry hold him back, and that's what made his film so special . He's all about finding ways to overcome obstacles, which I think is a super valuable lesson for anyone trying to make it in the film world .

Anyway, looking at Tong's career now, it's clear that he was destined for greatness . From stuntman to director and producer, he's come so far, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers .

man this story is so inspiring i mean stuart tong went from being a stuntman to rewriting one of jackie chan's biggest films and it's amazing how much experience and knowledge he gained along the way as a filmmaker myself, i can totally relate to wanting to make dreams come true but also navigating the challenges that come with it i love how tong said making a film is about finding ways to overcome obstacles and adaptability is key gotta respect this guy's journey

Stanley Tong's journey from stunt work to rewriting Supercop with Jackie Chan is wild ! I mean, who gets hurt that bad doing stunts and then becomes a successful director? Tong's story is all about finding alternative routes and being open to change. He went from working behind the camera to becoming the one in charge, which is no easy feat.

I think it's cool that he pushed for Michelle Yeoh to be cast in Supercop - she brought so much energy to the film! And the fact that he was able to rework the script and make the most of Chan's stunts is a testament to his skill as a filmmaker. It's all about being adaptable and understanding how to work within constraints.

Tong's approach to filmmaking is really inspiring, especially for new filmmakers who might be feeling stuck or uncertain. His emphasis on finding ways to overcome obstacles is so true - it's not just about bringing your vision to life, but also about making it happen despite the challenges that come with it.

man i cant even imagine having a career that's all stunt work and then BAM you gotta write your own script lol like Stanley Tong had to deal with so many injuries but still he kept pushing forward and it's crazy how he got to work with Jackie Chan on supercop, i mean can u imagine the pressure of rewriting a script that already has a big name attached to it? Tong must've been so nervous but at the same time he saw an opportunity to make something special and he went for it

I think its crazy how Stanley Tong went from being a stuntman to re-writing Supercop with Jackie Chan . I mean, his injuries sound super painful and I can imagine how that would affect your motivation to keep going. But it's awesome that he found another way into the film industry through production roles and eventually landed on directing. And I gotta say, its impressive how Tong was able to convince Chan's boss and even Chan himself to change up the script . The end result is an iconic film that still holds up today . What do you guys think about this crazy turnaround story?

I'm so done with how they're always trying to rework old scripts and put their own stamp on classic stories . I mean, can't they just leave it alone? "Police Story 3: Supercop" was already a hit, why mess with perfection? Tong's decision to rewrite the script from scratch seems like a lot of unnecessary hassle .

And what's up with these new 'directions' in filmmaking? Everyone's trying to be some kind of visionary or game-changer . Newsflash: sometimes just letting the story breathe and trusting the audience is the best approach .

I'm not saying Tong didn't do a great job, but I think this whole "finding ways to overcome obstacles" thing can be taken too far . Can't we just make movies without all the drama and red tape?

Stanley Tong's journey from stunt work to rewriting 'Supercop' with Jackie Chan is pretty inspiring! I think it's cool how he transitioned from being behind the camera as a stuntman to becoming a director and producer . The fact that he pushed for more substantial stunts and action sequences, including Michelle Yeoh in the lead role, really paid off in the end .

I'm curious, do you think Jackie Chan's career would be different without Tong's input? And what about 'Supercop' - is it still one of your favorite Hong Kong films ?

Stanley Tong's journey from stunt work to rewriting 'Supercop' with Jackie Chan is a total game-changer . I mean, can you even imagine someone who was doing that intense stunt work and then gets to be behind the camera, shaping the story and helping Chan shine? It's like the ultimate come-up story .

But what I think is really interesting is how Tong navigated the industry dynamics at the time . Hong Kong film industry had this strict power structure, where directors were seen as secondary to their stars, which is super limiting for any aspiring filmmaker . But Tong's bravery and vision helped change that narrative and paved the way for Chan's global breakthrough .

It's a great reminder that making it in the film industry takes perseverance, adaptability, and knowing when to take risks . And let's be real, who wouldn't want to see Jackie Chan shine on screen? The man is a legend!

Stanley Tong's story is wild ! He went from being a stuntman who got hurt all the time to becoming one of Jackie Chan's biggest collaborators . I love how he just took matters into his own hands and reworked the script for Supercop . It's like, when you're given a challenge, you gotta figure out how to make it work . And it sounds like Tong is all about finding creative solutions . He didn't let his injuries hold him back, and look what happened! He helped Jackie Chan become a global superstar . I'm definitely gonna check out some of Tong's other films now https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0781212/

can't believe how far Stanley Tong's come from being a stuntman with all those injuries ! I mean, who needs that many stitches and twisted ankles? But seriously, it's amazing to see how he leveraged those setbacks into opportunities to learn filmmaking the hard way. His work on 'Supercop' is a masterclass in adaptability and creativity . Jackie Chan's success is huge part of that, but Tong's innovative approach also speaks to his own passion for storytelling . It's inspiring to see someone turn their weaknesses into strengths !

I mean, can you imagine being Jackie Chan's stunt double and then suddenly getting thrust into the director's chair? Sounds like a real "super cop" move! Tong's story is actually pretty inspiring though - who wouldn't want to go from dodging bullets for a living to rewriting scripts for a global superstar? I love how he pushed boundaries and found ways to make it work, especially when his boss wasn't on board. The result is definitely a film that's still getting some serious love all these years later!

Stanley Tong's story is so inspiring, I mean, who would've thought that going from stunt work to rewriting one of Jackie Chan's biggest films ? I'm not surprised it was a challenge for him, I mean, have you seen those injury stories ? But he's like the ultimate survivor, literally and figuratively . It's amazing how he was able to see beyond his own limitations and push for change in the script . And let's be real, it's all about finding ways to overcome obstacles . I love how he puts it, making a film is not just about bringing dreams to life, but also about navigating hurdles .

Stanley Tong's journey from stuntman to scriptwriter is so inspiring, especially considering how many times he almost gave up on his passion for filmmaking . I mean, a broken shoulder, ribs, and back? That's crazy ! But it just goes to show that even in the toughest professions, there's always room for growth and learning.

I love how Tong took his experience as a stuntman and used it to inform his approach to filmmaking . And the fact that he was able to push the boundaries of what was possible on screen is truly remarkable . The way he worked with Jackie Chan to create a more substantial role for him really paid off, didn't it?

For me, Tong's story highlights the importance of perseverance and adaptability in chasing your dreams . It's easy to get caught up in our own frustrations and doubts, but Tong's journey shows us that with determination and a willingness to learn from our mistakes, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles .

omg u guys can u even imagine how hard it must've been 4 Stanley Tong 2 b stnt coord & then get 2 rewrit 'Supercop' 4 Jackie Chan lol what a journey! i feel like tong is literally the ultimate example of adaptability & perseverance he went from stunt work 2 script supervisor 2 director & now he's living his dream i'm low-key obsessed w/ the idea that he got 2 bring his vision 2 life & make 'Supercop' such a huge hit what a legend!

I'm not sure I'd call this rewriting of Supercop a good thing ... Don't get me wrong, Jackie Chan's performance is still awesome, but I think Stanley Tong's changes went too far in making it feel like a completely different film. The original was already a classic for its time, and some people might say that the new version lost something of its edge.

I also wonder if all the rewrites and reshoots put a toll on anyone involved ... I mean, we've seen what can happen when creative differences get out of hand. In this case, it sounds like Tong really had to push for changes from Chan himself and their bosses. Did he end up sacrificing some of his own vision in the process?

For me, Supercop will always be a 90s Hong Kong action film that I grew up with, not something that's been reimagined through the years .

he's been through so much already and now he's rewriting one of Jackie Chan's biggest films Tong must've had some serious guts to try and rework the script from scratch, especially considering how iconic it was before . I mean, who wouldn't want to shine in a big role? Michelle Yeoh's addition was a game changer too . The man really knows how to navigate the system and make it work for him . It's all about finding ways to overcome obstacles, Tong said... pretty deep coming from someone who used to be behind the scenes

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole Jackie Chan thing. So, Stanley Tong was basically just a stuntman for years and then gets handed the script for Supercop? That's like going from being a janitor to suddenly being the CEO of a company... yeah, it doesn't quite add up.

And what's with all these rewrites? I mean, Tong was basically forced to start from scratch because Chan wanted more substantial action sequences and a female lead. Sounds like a lot of creative control issues if you ask me. Can we just have one coherent script for once?

I do gotta give credit though - Tong somehow managed to pull off this massive comeback story. And it's interesting that he emphasizes adaptability in filmmaking... I guess that's true, but isn't it more about having a clear vision in the first place?