Why a superstition about the letter M changed a classic martial arts film title
In short: The 1984 action comedy Wheels on Meals was almost titled Meals on Wheels. Golden Harvest executives, superstitious after two previous box office flops starting with the letter M, demanded a change. The resulting film became a global hit, spawning a massive franchise that influenced everything from video games to anime.
Directed by Sammo Hung and featuring choreography by Jackie Chan, the 1984 film Wheels on Meals was shot in Barcelona, Spain. The production moved abroad because the stars had become too famous to film in Hong Kong streets, and local government permits were increasingly difficult to secure. By choosing Spain, Hung successfully established authentic locations while avoiding studio interiors, benefiting from the cooperation of local authorities during complex car chases and fight sequences.
The film follows two cousins running a fast food van who become embroiled in a plot to rescue an aristocrat's daughter. It is particularly celebrated for the final fight between Jackie Chan and professional kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez, widely regarded as one of the greatest fight scenes in cinema history. The trio of stars—Chan, Hung, and Yuen Biao—were real-life friends who had trained together at the Peking Opera School, and this film arrived during their most prolific period of collaboration.
Beyond the screen, the film’s legacy is immense. It inspired the 1984 arcade game Spartan X, known internationally as Kung-Fu Master, which laid the groundwork for the beat 'em up genre. This game influenced iconic titles like Super Mario Bros. and Street Fighter, as well as the Red Ribbon Army saga in Dragon Ball. The Spartan X franchise, including sequels and comic books, generated an estimated US$134 million in worldwide revenue, proving that the film's impact far exceeded its original box office performance in East Asia.
While some critics noted a thin plot or excessive slapstick, the film remains highly regarded for its choreography and heart. It serves as a bridge between the era of Bruce Lee—whose Way of the Dragon pioneered overseas filming—and the modern era of action cinema. Even today, the film is revisited through remastered releases, ensuring that the chemistry between its three leads continues to resonate with new audiences.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Wheels on Meals
- Also: Wikidata — Wheels on Meals · CC0
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