Jackie Chan Admits He Doesn't Understand Why People Like 'Rush Hour'

Jackie Chan doesn’t get the fandom surrounding his cult classic film, Rush Hour.

Set in Los Angeles, the 1998 action comedy follows Chief Inspector Lee (Chan) and Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker), cops tasked with rescuing a Chinese diplomat's kidnapped daughter.

“After the movie finished, I still don’t like it. Because I just don’t understand a lot of things. The culture is totally different,” Chan said in a video from People, where he references a Rush Hour scene where Lee dares to touch Carter's car radio.

"Beach Boys," Lee says happily, his musical selection prompting ire from Carter. “Oh, hell no,” Carter says. “Never touch a Black man's radio, boy.” Carter’s reaction still seems to perplex Chan all these years later.

“The people laughing, ‘Never touch a Black man’s radio,’” Chan recalled. “Why, why so funny? I just don’t understand. Totally different culture. I was very disappointed. I finished, I go back to Asia to make my own film. Then, suddenly, I get a phone call. ‘Jackie! We break all records in three days—$70 million! Let’s do a part two!’”

In 2001, Rush Hour 2 arrived, set in Hong Kong, followed by 2007’s Rush Hour 3, set in Paris. Chan also mentioned appearing in the Shanghai series opposite Owen Wilson around that time, which included 2000’s Shanghai Noon and 2003’s Shanghai Knights.

“I stayed in America for two years,” Jackie added. “Then, slowly get to know American culture or Western culture. Just a little bit, but still not a lot.”

Even though Chan doesn't understand the film's cultural cachet, he's still ready for the fourth installment. Last month, he confirmed that he wants to be in RH4 and that the "script is still going on."

The first Rush Hour was a box office hit, grossing $244 million worldwide, per Variety. Rush Hour 2 earned even more worldwide with $347 million, making it the most successful film in the franchise. Rush Hour 3 amassed $258 million.