Jackie Around the World in 80 Days
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Posted by Jim Down in Arts section |
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Jackie Chan's next movie is a remake of the classic film, which won the Best Picture Oscar in 1956. Jackie will play the role of "Passepartout" in Around the World in 80 Days. The movie will be directed by Frank Corcasi.
Around the World in 80 Days is based on the novel by Jules Verne. This movie was originally made in 1914 and it was a silent film. It was made again in 1956 when it won the Academy Award. In 1989 it was made into a mini-series for American television. In 1998 it was made into an animated movie (a cartoon).
The role that Jackie is playing was originally played by Mexican actor Cantinflas. Cantinflas, whose real name was Mario Moreno Reyes, was a gifted physical comedian much like Jackie and guess what? He did his own stunts! He was well known for talking a lot and saying nothing; he was a genius at the art of speaking nonsense. In fact, the word “cantinflas” had no meaning.
But Cantinflas had such an effect on the Spanish-speaking world that his name became recognized by linguists. The noun cantinflada is now defined in Spanish dictionaries as a long-winded, meaningless speech, and the verb cantinflear means to talk too much but say too little.
If you watch the 1956 Around the World in 80 Days, you will have no problem imagining Jackie in the role of Passepartout. It is a part that seems to be custom made for him. In the movie, Passepartout hangs from a hot-air balloon, fights a bull, performs a flamenco dance, and rides an old fashioned bicycle, amongst other adventures.
Around the World in 80 Days is well known for featuring many cameo appearances by some of Hollywood’s most famous personalities. A cameo appearance is a very small, uncredited role in a film by a celebrity. Amazingly, Jackie’s hero, Buster Keaton, plays a small role as a train worker.
When Around the World in 80 Days was released in 1956, Jackie Chan was only 2 years old! Who would have imagined that over 40 years later, Jackie would reprise the role of Passepartout in a remake of this classic film?
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