July 2001
An interview with Chris Tucker
Back to Home Page

By Niambi Sims

Interview with Chris Tucker

In the sequel to the mega hit, Rush Hour, Chris Tucker takes us on a comedic joyride from Vegas to Hong Kong and back again and.... he even does his own stunts!! The funny man tells blackfilm.com what it was like the second time around.

 

 

Do people always expect you to be funny because you are a comedian?

CT:  It’s crazy because people expect you to be funny all the time and every day is not a funny day. I go to funerals and people are like “tell a joke” and “say one of your lines in a movie.”  IT’S A FUNERAL MAN!


How was it working with Jackie Chan? Are you able to do any of those things?

CT:  Oh yeah, I was a martial artist way before Jackie Chan.  I’m young but see in my past life I was practicing.  NO I’m just playing. I was very physical. I did a lot of sports and stuff and Jackie taught me a lot of his moves.  But it wasn’t that hard because I was already in shape.


How many days did you shoot in Asia?

CT: We shot in Asia for like a month and a half


What did you do there?

CT: Aw man we went on the boats, the harbor in Hong Kong.  I jogged around the little pier. We worked a lot so work took us to the market place, the old town.  I wanted to go to the mountain but I didn’t get a chance to go see the big Buddha.


Did people recognize you?

CT: They recognized me a little bit when I was on the set.  The only black man in China so they must have thought I was important.


Did Jackie take you to some of his places?

CT: Oh yeah, I went to his shops and stuff. I have on a suit that he made for me. I went to his restaurant. We went around everywhere. He’s like the emperor there. He’s the last emperor.


How would you compare Hong Kong to Las Vegas?

CT: You know what... beautiful buildings.  Both of them have big beautiful buildings that are unique.  The buildings in HK are like you’ve never seen before. In Vegas you’ve got these dream hotels that you never see anywhere at all but on this one little strip. Both of them have beautiful hotels.  


Were you ever in actual danger anytime during the shoot?

CT: Not that I know about.


Do you do all your own stunts?

CT: Oh I do all my own stunts and sometimes I do some of Jackie’s stunts because, between you and me, Jackie’s getting a little old.  Rush Hour three, I don’t know if he’s going to be in it. NO, Jackie’s amazing. When he does all of his stuff it makes you want to do your own stuff even if it’s dangerous.  I see him hanging on something I know it’s safe to do because I KNOW his people.  He’s got it safe so I KNOW he inspired me.


How did you feel when you got the offer to do another Rush Hour?

CT: Since the first movie went over very well. It was international. I knew I would do it again I just didn’t know it would be this soon. I waited longer than they wanted me to. I was the one holding everything up because I wanted to make sure people really wanted another Rush Hour.


He (Jackie Chan) says you ‘re #1.

CT: He did? You know why because the first time we got together he didn’t really know how it was going to turn out and once we started doing it, he started loving it.  It was perfect for the part but now this one is so much better and more fun because we know each other and we are buddies now instead of being two different guys from two different worlds. Now were together and were partners so it’s on a whole other level. It’s like a whole new movie.


What is the secret to good comedy?

CT:  Good timing. Jackie Chan is one of the funniest guys in the world because he has good timing and that’s rare. He knows physical comedy. What we do is so different but it comes together as one and it’s good chemistry.


Did you follow the script or improvise more?

CT: We followed the script but the way me and Jackie work is all feeling like “we should do this we should do that” and it comes out pretty good. The script is just a guideline so the story makes sense but the stuff that takes it to another level; the funny stuff comes from the actors.


This doesn’t scare the director?

CT:  Brad is real good with improvising. He’s used to the way I work. He’s like “riff on this but I need to get this” We worked together on Money Talks and Rush Hour so he’s got me down pat.


How about some of your previous directors?

CT:  I’ve been fortunate to work with good directors who understand improvisation and understand the way comedians work.  Luke Basan let me do my thing like do what you feel and take the character to another level. Quentin Tarrantino was more of an acting coach. He can teach you beats and then he’ll say go with it but give this feeling. So I’ve been fortunate to work with good, seasoned directors.


What are you planning to do next?

CT: I’ve got a lot of stuff on the table. I’m doing a stand up comedy movie coming out around Christmas. I’m doing a movie called Mr. President where I play the President of the United States. There are many others but I’m gearing up for those two


Do you want to discuss this article with other community members? Have any comments on black film?  Then go to our Community section -- http://www.blackfilm.com/community/

Back to Home Page