The central joke of John Carpenter’s 1986 martial arts comedy “Huge Hassle in Little China” is that the himbo hero Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) thinks he is the principle character of the story, when actually he is the dorky, comedic sidekick to different folks. One ought to acknowledge that Wang Chi (Dennis Dun) is the true hero of “Huge Hassle,” and it’s finally his heroism that saves his fiancée Miao Yin (Suzee Pai) from the clutches of the evil warlock Lo Pan (James Hong). Wang Chi is the one with preventing expertise, in addition to the one with connections to different magic customers. Jack Burton is a foolish blowhard with the muscular tissues to combat off dangerous guys and the know-how of a golden retriever.
For sure, “Little China” is quirky and charming. It stays essentially the most whimsical of John Carpenter’s output. Certainly, it could be the one comedy movie Carpenter directed; “Memoirs of an Invisible Man” is extra a sci-fi thriller than a correct comedy. The screenplay was written by W.D. Richter, who penned the 1978 model of “Invasion of the Physique Snatchers” and the underrated 1979 “Dracula.” Richter additionally famously directed the cult 1984 oddity “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Throughout the eighth Dimension.”
Again in 2015, it was introduced {that a} remake of “Huge Hassle in Little China” was within the works, and in 2018, it was clarified that this could be extra of a sequel. Since 2019, nevertheless, the undertaking appears to be in limbo.
Russell hasn’t been requested to seem within the sequel, though he may be . In 2023, the actor spoke with ComicBook.com, saying that he’d fortunately return to play an older Jack Burton. He had two circumstances, although: the script needs to be good, and there needs to be one thing substantive to say.
Greater Hassle in Little China
Russell at all times appreciated working with Carpenter. Aside from “Huge Hassle in Little China,” the pair made “Elvis,” “Escape from New York,” “The Factor,” and “Escape from L.A.” collectively. They’d a wholesome working relationship, each approaching their materials with a sensible, pragmatic eye. Russell, nevertheless, would not need to be concerned with a nostalgia-bait stinker, and would demand that any follow-ups to “Huge Hassle in Little China” be written nicely. This nearly appears apparent, however Russell needed to go on document; he is not going to come back again as Jack Burton for simply anybody:
“You by no means say by no means. I imply, if someone have been to write down a terrific script, that was higher than the primary one, [and] it had one thing new to say. I do not know, we are able to slap John Carpenter round a bit bit and say, ‘Come on, John! Let’s go do that.'”
The “slap John round a bit bit” line is in reference to John Carpenter’s famed semi-retired state. Carpenter hasn’t directed a theatrical characteristic since 2010’s “The Ward,” and hasn’t expressed a lot curiosity in returning to the director’s chair; he ran out of f***s to provide way back. He has stated he is content material to write down music (he composed the scores for the 2018 “Halloween” and its sequels), play video video games, carry out in concert events, and hang around. Carpenter has additionally stated that he loves when folks remake his films as a result of he will get a examine for not working in any respect.
As well as, Carpenter has been busy making a zombie-themed, first-person shooter recreation known as “Poisonous Commando,” due for launch later in 2024. His consideration is way from movies at this level. Carpenter, 76, and Russell, 73, would little doubt make an amusing “Previous Jack” film collectively, however it might solely be good if each males have been wholly .
