Jackie Chan Retires From Action Films: Kung Fu Star's Best Moments [VIDEO]

Jackie Chan has announced that he is retiring from action cinema at the age of 58.

Making the announcement at Cannes film festival, the kung-fu superstar said that he was "really, really tired" and that Chinese Zodiac, his latest film, would be his last leading action role.

In an interesting twist for a man who has booted the faces of hundreds of enemies, Chan said he faced a dilemma over the violence of modern cinema, as he likes action, but not violence.

His retirement will come as sad news for his legions of fans, who have seen him star in dozens of films in which he famously does all of his own stunts and crafts spectacular choreography merging technique and slapstick.

HIs famous bravery and fearlessness have led to him breaking just about every bone in his body at one time or the other, but the hard work has paid off witha place in action cinema history.

IBTimes UK looks back at some of his best moments:

Drunken Master (1978)

The film that saw Chan set out a new style of action comedy, where the hero is by turns hilarious and deadly. The drunken kung-fu style in this classic is iconic, referenced in films and video games. Looks like he would do well in a bar brawl.

Project A (1983)

Jackie's foray into the world of the period drama sees him team up with regular co-star Sammo Hung to take on some pirates in old Hong Kong. Surely the first instance of an extended, violent, bike chase scene.

Police Story (1985)

Very possibly Chan's best film, Police story contains some of his most famous action sequences and several times where a mistimed stunt could have put him out for the count.

The scene where he hangs from the back of a bus using an umbrella is classic Chan - a simple concept played out perfectly with myriad twists and turns along the way. Just think of his insurance bills.

Armour of God (1986)

The film that nearly ended Jackie's career, and his life. It was during a fairly routine stunt in this Indiana Jones style film that Jackie suffered a head-first fall out of a tree. He suffered a brain inkury and had to have part of his skull removed in order to relieve the pressure. He also lost some of the hearing in his right ear.

First Strike (1996)

James Bond gets the Jackie Chan treatment in First Strike, which saw his Police Story character get the Hollywood treatment. This film has too many spectacular moments to mention, including a drop from a helicopter into a frozen lake. The above fight scene showcases Jackie's ability to take something simple, like a ladder, and choreograph an action scene that no-one had ever seen before.

Who am I? (1998)

The fight scene in Chan's Who am I? has become one of his most famous. Clocking in at nearly 10 minutes, the fight manages to mix intricate choreography, excellent stuntwork and humour together into something so much more than just three men fighting on a roof.

Shanghai Knights (2003)

Despite the fact that this sequel to the smash hit Shanghai Noon failed to match the previous film's success, it contained a moment that typified Jackie's charm. A fight scene sees Chan grab the nearest weapon to hand, which just happens to be an umbrella. The resulting scene is a hilarious tribute to Gene Kelly and Singing in the Rain. Perhaps the best example of Chan enjoying action, without it seeming particularly violent.

There are hundreds of other moments that could be pulled from Jackie Chan's vast filmoography, leaving little doubt that he will leave a huge void in the world of action cinema. A void that, in a medium frequently dominated by computer effects and trickery, may never be filled.

Not bad for a man who once played a faceless henchman who was battered by Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon.