Those waiting expectantly for Mallika Sherawat's first international film, The Myth, may be disappointed. Actor-co-producer Jackie Chan claimed at the Toronto International Film Festival that he was not hopeful of the film finding a theatrical release in the US.'Americans don't like dubbed films,' he said, 'I think it will definitely go to the video market here.'
The Stanley Tong movie, which received a mildly warm reception from audiences during the two festival screenings and some jeers from journalists, was not reviewed by major publications.
Two days after her arrival in Toronto, no mainstream publication ran a story on the actress. Even the lively Star Gazing column in Toronto Star did not feature her, although it talked about how John Abraham was being mobbed by teenage girls at the airport who kept declaring 'We Love You John.'
At the press conference, Jackie Chan, who plays an army general in ancient times as well as a modern day archaeologist in The Myth, said that he wanted to do more romantic and dramatic roles. The Myth was a move in that direction, he added.
He also said that he felt strongly that The Myth would do terrific business in Asia. With a $15 million budget, the film could recoup its investment and even make a profit if it runs for six to eight weeks in major cities and towns across Southeast Asia and China.
Meanwhile, Chan's Rush Hour 3 will be released within a year. He co-stars in the film with Chris Tucker, and reportedly got $18 million for it. The fee has pushed him into the bracket of 20 top-paid actors in Hollywood.
Photograph: Getty Images
