Jackie Chan, 'Chinese Zodiac 2012' Last Major Action Film: Hong Kong Actor Retiring from the Stunt Biz, but Not from Hollywood

Jackie Chan, a popular action film director and actor who has received recognition on both the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has announced that the highly-anticipated upcoming movie "Chinese Zodiac 2012" will be the 58 year-old stuntman's final action film. That's right, the "Rush Hour" star feels he is getting too old (and the world too violent) to continue exhibiting his own stunts and awesome martial arts skills. But no worries, Chan fans - the multi-talented actor doesn't plan on totally leaving behind the movie biz quite yet. Chan insists that he still has a lot more to offer Hollywood.

In May, Chan told the Telegraph that he is retiring from action films following the release of "Chinese Zodiac 2012" - "This is my last action film. I tell you, I'm not young any more. I'm really, really tired," he told The Telegraph. "And the world is too violent right now. It's a dilemma -- I like action but I don't like violence... For the last 10 years I have been making some other different movies. I want to be an Asian Robert De Niro. I don't just want to be an action star, I want to be a true actor. I want to get rid of my image."

So looks like fans might see a different side of Chan in his upcoming films!

Chan recently reiterated to Reuters that he's just not young enough anymore to perform such excruciating martial arts skills, but that doesn't mean he's just going to remain in a director's chair in the corner - special effects and stunt doubles are definitely options for the future. "Why (do) I have to use my own life to still do these kind of things? I will still do as much as I can. But I just don't want to risk my life to sit in a wheelchair, that's all."

As for "Chinese Zodiac 2012" - Chan is absolutely proud of what the film's become:  "I'm the director, I'm the writer, I'm the producer, I'm the action director, almost everything. This really, really is my baby. You know, I've been writing the script for seven years."

In "Chinese Zodiac 2012" (also known as "Armour of God III"), Chan stars as treasure hunter Asian Hawk, who seeks to banish bronze sculpture heads of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, which were captured from Beijing's Summer Palace by French and British forces during the Opium Wars. The film also stars Oliver Platt, Laura Weissbecker, and Kwon Sang-woo and is set to hit theaters in China on Dec. 20.

According to "Rush Hour" co-star Chris Tucker, Chan might be pulling out the special effects and stunt doubles soon -Tucker recently revealed to Vulture that a "Rush Hour 4" sequel is currently in the works. "Rush Hour 4, we're looking into it, me and Jackie [Chan]. We're trying to get it going, so we're developing something, so hopefully we'll get something in."