Jackie Chan Turned Down Everything Everywhere Role Over Scheduling
The martial arts legend was originally considered for the lead role that eventually went to Michelle Yeoh, but the real reason behind his departure might surprise fans of the Oscar-winning film.
The Oscar-sweeping multiverse adventure that made Michelle Yeoh a household name almost starred a completely different actor. Jackie Chan was the original choice for the lead role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, before writers flipped the character's gender and handed the part to Yeoh.
Social media recently exploded with speculation about Chan's departure from the project. A viral tweet suggested the action star rejected the role because of its central theme: a parent learning to accept their gay daughter. The theory gained traction given Chan's real-life estrangement from his own daughter.
The Real Story Behind Chan's Exit
Michelle Yeoh set the record straight about what actually happened. Chan didn't walk away because of ideological differences or personal issues. His packed filming schedule made committing to the project impossible.
"So it was completely [role-reversed]. And I remember Jackie texted me and said, 'Congratulations. You realize that your boys came to see me first?' and I'm like, 'Thank you, bro. You did me a huge favor,'" Yeoh explained.
The scheduling conflict turned into a creative opportunity. Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert reimagined the entire story around a mother-daughter relationship instead of father-daughter dynamics.
Chan's Complicated Family Situation
The speculation wasn't entirely baseless. Chan has maintained a troubled relationship with his daughter Etta Ng Chok Lam for years. Born from an extramarital affair, she's been publicly estranged from the Rush Hour star throughout most of her life.
Chan addressed the situation in his autobiography Never Grow Up: "When the news broke about an affair I'd had that resulted in a child, the media frenzy was like a bomb going off. I wanted to phone Joan, but I didn't know what to say. I wouldn't be able to explain this. It wasn't a mistake I could fix just by saying 'I'm sorry.'"
Etta has spoken openly about their fractured relationship. She even made headlines after becoming homeless due to family rejection of her sexuality.
Recent Reconciliation Efforts
Recent reports suggest Chan has been quietly working to repair the relationship. Sources indicate he's provided both financial support and career assistance to Etta over the past year, particularly helping with her design work.
The film that Chan missed out on became a cultural phenomenon. Everything Everywhere All at Once earned seven Academy Awards and grossed over $140 million worldwide. The mother-daughter story between Yeoh and Stephanie Hsu resonated with audiences in ways that might not have been possible with the original father-son concept.
While Chan never got to play a father accepting his queer child on screen, real life might be offering him a second chance at that story.