Houston Community News >> Jackie Chan Seeks Kung Fu Fighter

4/7/2007 BEIJING — Jackie Chan celebrated his 53rd birthday on Saturday by launching a Chinese TV competition aimed at finding new action talent. He said more than 100,000 people have already signed up for a shot at kung-fu stardom.

“A lot of actors are good at fighting, but (their style) is not beautiful,” the Chinese star and stunt man said in Beijing.

“If you can incorporate dance with an ability to perform kung fu, that would be better,” Chan told an audience that included a selected 20 of the show's contestants and some Chinese celebrities.

The TV show, whose English title is The Disciple, is jointly produced by Chan and Beijing TV Station, known as BTV.

The show will run from March to October, with 10 winners appearing in a movie to be produced by Chan, organizers said. The movie will be released before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Chan said.

(Contributed by AP)