Jackie Chan, action star. [Photo provided to China Daily]

After 2010's The Karate Kid, he switched his focus back to China.

"I was losing interest because what I did was repeating myself," he says.

"Hollywood filmmakers wanted me to play roles, like a Chinese police officer, but I wanted to try something different."

He turned down proposals, and was waiting for suitable screenplays.

Chan says China's huge film market allows him to try different genres.

In 2012, his Chinese Zodiac focused on the protection of cultural heritage and he used Dragon Blade in 2015 to recall the ancient Silk Road.

Railroad Tigers, which was released earlier this year, touched on the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Chan's films have so far earned over $3 billion in total at the box office, making him the most bankable Chinese actor.

"At first I made films to earn money. Then, I wanted fame. Now, I think neither is important."

Chan says he has no particular commercial expectation from The Foreigner. "What really matters is public praise."