How a baby-snatching comedy became one of Jackie Chan's most challenging filming experiences

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 2006 action-comedy Rob-B-Hood saw Jackie Chan break his decades-long streak of playing nice guys. Yet, the film's most difficult co-star was not a stuntman or a villain, but a one-year-old infant who forced the production to communicate in sign language and go over budget.

Directed by Benny Chan, Rob-B-Hood tells the story of three burglars—Thongs, Octopus, and the Landlord—who accidentally find themselves protecting a kidnapped baby from a triad boss. The film was a significant departure for Jackie Chan, who had not played a criminal character in over 30 years. Initially, the director wanted the character to be a full-fledged villain, but the script was softened to satisfy Chinese censors.

The production process was notoriously difficult due to the presence of Matthew Medvedev, the infant cast as the baby. Because the baby could not work more than eight hours a day, the crew had to maintain absolute silence on set, often using sign language to coordinate. The baby’s unpredictable nature led to numerous retakes, causing the film to exceed its HK$16.8 million budget. To coax cooperation for specific scenes, the crew even resorted to unconventional methods, such as brushing honey onto Jackie Chan’s nipple to encourage the baby to suckle.

Despite the logistical hurdles, the film was a commercial success, grossing over US$20 million worldwide. It also served as a reunion of sorts for Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao, who had been classmates at the Peking Opera School. While the theatrical cut was released in September 2006, the director later included an extended version on DVD, restoring dramatic scenes that had been deleted to keep the focus on the plot. The film remains a unique entry in Chan’s filmography, blending high-stakes stunts with the unpredictable demands of working with an infant lead.

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