Jackie Chan to Would-Be Kung-Fu Stars: 'Don't Bow'

HONG KONG – Jackie Chan has a message for aspiring action stars: Don't bow to me.

In a blog entry on his Web site, the 53-year-old actor says he doesn't like the way disciples greet their masters in kung-fu movies by grasping a clenched fist in a prayerlike gesture, then bowing their heads.

Chan says he's seen the move in audition video clips for "The Disciple," his Chinese talent show, which is co-produced by Beijing TV station BTV.

"Some preliminary competitors would introduce themselves the old-period kung-fu way: the fist of one hand clenched firmly, the palm of the other wrapped on top, head slightly bowed, then saying, `All the heroes here today, please advise and correct my wrongdoings,"' Chan writes on his blog.

He says the greeting is "old-fashioned and definitely not what I'm looking for."

"I think actors of today should adapt to situations appropriately, like using old-fashioned terms for old-fashioned movies or using modern-day speech for modern-day films. Actors shouldn't mix old-fashioned speech with modern-day films. It just doesn't fit," he says.

Chan says actors who adapt to the times will enjoy a wider range of roles.

He also says he didn't launch "The Disciple" to find the next kung-fu superstar, but rather to spot people with talent to become genuinely skilled "action artists."

Chan's films include the "Rush Hour" movies, "Shanghai Noon" and "Shanghai Knights," co-starring Owen Wilson.