"The Tuxedo" is anything but the typical Jackie Chan movie. For the first time, Chan stars as a man who is, himself, completely inept at the kind of high-flying stunts that have set Chan’s action films apart. Nevertheless, "The Tuxedo" does, in fact, showcase Chan doing the kind of moves that have delighted his fans for years, but here it could be said that it’s a case of the clothes making the man.
Chan stars as Jimmy Tong, an ordinary cab driver, whose abilities behind the wheel of his taxi land him a job as a chauffeur for Clark Devlin, a wealthy industrialist, whose real industry is working for the CSA as a secret agent. Devlin is put out of commission, but not before ordering Jimmy to put on his prized tuxedo. Jimmy soon learns that this is no ordinary suit, but rather, a state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar tux, with features that allow the wearer to do everything from punch and kick to sing and dance—features that can turn an ordinary cab driver into an extraordinary secret agent.
Jackie Chan jumped at the opportunity to play a role that was such a departure from his usual onscreen persona. "It’s the kind of part I’ve never done before, and that is what made me want to do the movie," Chan states. "The script was funny, and my character was interesting. I wasn’t playing a policeman, just an ordinary person—a taxi driver who becomes a kind of super spy because of a tuxedo that lets him do all kinds of special things."
Not surprisingly, it was the chance to work with this international mega-star that drew many of Chan’s colleagues to the project, including director Kevin Donovan. "I have to admit, I was very enticed by the fact that Jackie Chan was involved," Donovan confirms. "I truly believe there is not another actor on the face of the Earth who could have done this role, certainly not to his level of expertise. I don’t think anyone else has that kind of physical dexterity; I mean the man is amazing. On top of that, he has to be one of the nicest people ever to step into this industry."
"The Tuxedo," marking Donovan’s feature film directorial debut, comes on the heels of his award-winning work as a commercial director. Producer Adam Schroeder says that the studio and producers knew he was the right person to helm the project after seeing his innovative ad spots and then meeting with him. "Kevin had a very clear vision of what this movie was going to be from the very beginning, and it was great to work with him and watch him develop it and bring it to reality. He brought a wonderful visual sense and style to this project."
Donovan notes, "It was gratifying to be doing something for the sheer entertainment value rather than to promote a product. I really liked the combination of fun, comedy and action, and also that, apart from all the special effects and martial arts, there is a heart to it, especially between Jackie Chan’s and Jennifer Love Hewitt’s characters."
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