Bob Odenkirk Admits His Obsession With This Jackie Chan Classic | Sorry Not Sorry
Following his epic portrayal of Saul Goodman, Bob Odenkirk became an unexpected action star. In 2025's Normal, he plays Ulysses, who takes a job as a substitute sheriff in a small town. But a bank robbery interrupts his peace and exposes a secret about the community. The genre might seem like an odd choice for the actor, but it makes complete sense once you learn what his favorite movie is.
WATCH: Bob Odenkirk Admits His Obsession With This Jackie Chan Classic
Speaking to JustWatch about the film he re-watches whenever he gets the chance, Odenkirk picked a classic action movie. "Probably Police Story, but I don't know why I should find any guilt in that," he said. "The Jackie Chan Police Story… I probably have watched it more than anyone in my family. But it's excellent. It's quality."
Odenkirk's love for Police Story explains why his pivot to action movies never once felt like a gimmick. His natural ability to play an action hero was on full display in 2021's Nobody. His character, Hutch Mansell, isn't a super slick, invincible operative but a bruised, exhausted assassin who fights his battles using good old-fashioned grit and stubbornness, which are distinctly Chan-esque sensibilities.
Even his work in 2025's Nobody 2 reinforces his love of action choreography that feels tactile. Because, unlike many modern action stars, Odenkirk gravitates toward sequences that are more about improvisation and physical comedy under pressure. And all of it is filtered through the influence of a performer (Chan) who turned stunt work into storytelling.
Jackie Chan's Hollywood Breakout
Long before Jackie Chan became a household name in the West, he had already spent years mastering his craft in Hong Kong cinema. Films like Drunken Master (1978) and Project A (1983) featured his signature mix of comedy and daredevil stunt work. But for some reason, Hollywood directors initially struggled to know what to do with him.
Chan's early attempts to break into the American market often stripped away the very elements that made him unique. That changed in 1995 when Rumble in the Bronx exploded internationally. Its success proved that audiences were ready and eager for Chan's brand of action exactly as it was. Unlike many Western action stars, Chan also performed his own stunts.
Hollywood studios noticed the hype immediately, which led to Chan being cast in Rush Hour alongside Chris Tucker. The 1998 film featured a buddy-cop formula that balanced Chan's kinetic action style with some of the funniest dialogue delivery from the fast-talking Tucker. The movie was a massive hit, which resulted in two more entries in the franchise. It also cemented Chan as a global star.
Chan's particular brand of action eventually started to influence the way Hollywood directors approached the genre. His choreography (which emphasized spatial awareness and full-body performance) changed how action scenes were shot and edited. In an era that's become increasingly reliant on quick cuts and CGI, Chan's work was special because you could see every hit, every fall, and every near-miss.
Why To Watch 'Police Story' (And What To Watch After)
Police Story remains one of the purest distillations of Jackie Chan's genius. The film follows Chan Ka-Kui (Chan), a Hong Kong police officer who is framed for murdering a dirty cop. Determined to clear his name, Ka-Kui goes on the run while protecting a key witness and thwarting several attacks. The plot is intentionally simple so that Chan's action can take center stage.
If Police Story sounds like something you'd enjoy, the next film to check out is 1988's Police Story 2. The sequel expands on everything that made the original great, with bigger set pieces and a slightly darker tone. Chan's character also faces new threats while dealing with the fallout of his relentless approach to justice. The film also leans even further into the idea that heroism comes at a cost.
