Jackie Chan's newest movie is a remake of the classic film which won the Best Picture Oscar in 1956. Jackie plays the role of "Passepartout" in Around the World in 80 Days. The movie is directed by Frank Corcasi. Click here to read a great article about Frank Corcasi and the work he did to prepare for directing the movie.

Around the World in 80 Days is based on the novel by Jules Verne which you can read online thanks to Project Gutenberg™. If you like you can rent the video (1956 version) but be warned: it's over three hours long! It's a really fun movie, though, and if you have a chance you should see it. This movie was originally made in 1914 and it was a silent film.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. Click here for a complete list of cameo appearances. Email the webmaster with your idea of who should make a cameo in the new movie and she'll make a list with all the celebrity names and post it here!

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?

Shirley McLain, David Niven, and Cantinflas in a scene from Around the World in 80 Days (Source)

Cantinflas

(Mario Moreno Reyes)

Buster Keaton in "The General"

Screenwriter(s):
David Titcher
David Andrew Goldstein
David Benullo

Cinematographer:
Phil Meheux (The Mask of Zorro, Bicentennial Man, Beyond Borders)

Composer:
Trevor Jones (Dark City, The Last of the Mohicans)

Actors:
Jackie Chan
Steve Coogan
Jim Broadbent
Kathy Bates
Cécile De France
Arnold Schwarzenegger
John Cleese
Owen Wilson
Luke Wilson
Rob Schneider
Mark Addy
Ewen Bremner
Sammo Hung

SYNOPSIS

Plot:
Based on the classical novel by Jules Verne, Around the World in 80 Days (2003) stars Jackie Chan as Passepartout. As an adventurer, Passepartout ends up accompanying time-obsessed English gentleman, Phileas Fogg (played by Steve Coogan) on a daring mission to journey around the world.

Fogg has wagered with members of his London club that he can traverse the world in 80 days. Along the way, they encounter many interesting 19th Century figures and have many exciting and suspenseful situations in their voyage around the world.

DETAILS

Studio:
Disney Pictures

Based on:
Jules Verne's classic novel

Release Date:
June 16th, 2004 (wide)