Michelle Yeoh: Jackie Chan Was Initially Offered the Lead Role in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Ipoh-born actress Michelle Yeoh has been getting the limelight especially after winning the Best Actress Award at Golden Globe for her role as Evelyn Huang in Everything Everywhere All at Once. 

But can you imagine someone else playing the role of Evelyn Huang? Or perhaps, can you imagine the role being gender reversed? Michelle recently appeared in The Graham Norton Show, where she revealed that she was not supposed to be the lead actress in the film, which was directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, commonly referred to as the Daniels.

Jackie Chan was supposed to take the lead, and Michelle was set to play his wife in the movie. But obviously, that did not happen as the legendary martial artist turned down the role.

During the show, Michelle also said that Jackie texted her to wish her congratulations on her achievement, but he made sure to “remind” Michelle that he was supposed to be the leading man in EEAAO.

“You know, your boys (the directors) came to me first”, Jackie told Michelle.

Michelle, on the other hand, “thanked” him for turning down the role by saying, “Your loss, bro. Thank you”.

Jackie and Michelle have been friends for decades as they worked together in Police Story 3: Supercop in 1992. She also said that it was a mutual decision for Jackie to turn down the role.

“Jackie has a very busy schedule, and the Daniels decided to rewrite the script and focus on a female lead instead.”

Michelle eventually took the lead, and Ke Huy Quan plays her husband in the movie. He also won the Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture award during the Golden Globe.

We’re sure that many of you are huge fans of Jackie Chan, but it’s truly fun to imagine how Jackie would portray his role in the film. Perhaps Jackie’s role is “hidden” somewhere within the Multiverse which may set up a sequel? We never know.

Also read: After Golden Globe, Michelle Yeoh Receives Nomination for Best Actress Category at the Oscars