How a failed Police Story sequel became a global action comedy phenomenon
In short: Originally conceived as the fifth entry in his iconic Police Story series, Mr. Nice Guy evolved into a standalone English-language feature for Jackie Chan. Set in Melbourne, the film showcases a high-stakes collision between a TV chef and an Italian mob, marked by intense stunts and significant international editing variations.
Directed by Sammo Hung, the 1997 film Mr. Nice Guy represents a pivotal moment in Jackie Chan's career as his first production scripted and filmed entirely in English. The project underwent a dramatic transformation during development; it was initially intended to be the fifth installment of the Police Story franchise, set in Sydney. However, the production pivoted within a month to become an independent action story relocated to Melbourne, Victoria.
The narrative follows a TV chef who inadvertently becomes entangled with an Italian mob after a journalist accidentally swaps a incriminating videotape of a drug deal with one of his cooking tapes. The resulting chaos involves a series of kidnappings, explosive confrontations, and a climactic sequence featuring a massive mining vehicle. During production, Chan faced physical challenges, including a broken nose and a neck injury sustained while attempting a flip during a fight scene.
The film's reception and presentation varied wildly across markets. When New Line Cinema acquired international distribution rights for US$6 million, they significantly altered the film for North American audiences. This version included a new score, a partial dub, and over 13 minutes of cuts, primarily targeting violence against women and pacing issues. The edit even rearranged the opening sequence to establish a lighter tone. While the Hong Kong release was a major box office success, the film's legacy remains complex due to these competing versions, with the original uncut edition only receiving a high-definition restoration and Blu-ray release in 2019.
Despite the heavy editing, the film remains a notable collaboration between Chan and Richard Norton, marking their first reunion since 1993. It also highlights the professional relationship between Chan and Hung, with Chan noting in 1996 that he brought Hung on to direct because he believed the industry had unfairly sidelined Hung's acting career. The film's global performance was robust, grossing over US$31 million worldwide, with its Hong Kong run alone earning HK$45,420,457.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Mr. Nice Guy (1997 film)
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