Why Jackie Chan Passed on Everything Everywhere All at Once
Jackie Chan was originally considered for the lead in Everything Everywhere All at Once, but the role went to Michelle Yeoh. The real reason behind his decision might surprise you.
Everything Everywhere All at Once made a clean sweep during awards season and quickly became a favourite among film fans. But there’s a lesser-known tidbit about the film’s origins that’s been doing the rounds again. The script was initially crafted with Jackie Chan in mind for the lead, before the role was reimagined for Michelle Yeoh, flipping the character’s gender in the process.
One of the film’s main threads is the journey of a parent coming to terms with their daughter’s sexuality. This led some to draw parallels between the story and Chan’s own strained relationship with his daughter, sparking plenty of speculation online. But is there any substance to these theories? Let’s take a look at what Michelle Yeoh has shared, and where things stand between Chan and his daughter these days.
Behind Jackie Chan’s Decision to Step Away
Despite the chatter, there’s nothing to suggest that Jackie Chan turned down the project because of personal issues. Michelle Yeoh has clarified that the choice was down to scheduling and creative direction, not any ideological stance.
So it was completely [role-reversed]. And I remember Jackie texted me and said, ‘Congratulations. You realise that your boys came to see me first? and I’m like, ‘Thank you, bro. You did me a huge favour.’
Chan’s diary was already packed, so he couldn’t sign on. Once he was out, the filmmakers saw a chance to shake things up, and changing the lead to a woman opened up a whole new emotional angle for the story. The shift didn’t just solve a casting problem—it gave the film a fresh dynamic, especially with its focus on a mother-daughter relationship.
Jackie Chan and His Daughter: A Complicated Bond
While the rumour mill has been busy, the real-life connection between Chan and his daughter, Etta Ng Chok Lam, is a lot more tangled. Etta was born after an affair, and she’s been publicly distant from her father for most of her life. In his memoir, Chan reflected on the fallout:
When the news broke about an affair I’d had that resulted in a child, the media frenzy was like a bomb going off. I wanted to phone Joan, but I didn’t know what to say. I wouldn’t be able to explain this. It wasn’t a mistake I could fix just by saying ‘I’m sorry.’
Etta has spoken openly about their fractured relationship, even revealing she was homeless for a time, which she linked to family attitudes towards her sexuality. However, recent reports hint that Chan has started to offer support, not just financially but also for her work in design. It seems there’s been some effort to mend fences over the past year.
About the Film
Here’s a quick rundown: Everything Everywhere All at Once was directed and written by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The film runs for 139 minutes and has scored 93% on the Tomatometer and 79% with audiences.
While Chan didn’t end up playing a father who embraces his daughter’s identity on screen, it looks like he’s quietly working towards a similar story in his own life. Many reckon the film’s mother-daughter focus gave it a unique edge anyway.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is available to rent or buy on Apple TV+ in Australia.