Eddie, an indomitable Hong Kong cop, is transformed into an immortal warrior with superhuman powers after a fatal accident involving a mysterious medallion. Eddie enlists the help of British Interpol agent Nicole to determine the secret of the medallion and face down the evil Snakehead who wants to use its magical powers for his own nefarious plans.
The Medallion is an action-comedy film co-written and directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Gordon Chan, and starring Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, Claire Forlani and Julian Sands. It was much less successful than Chan’s other American movies such as the Rush Hour film series, Shanghai Noon and its sequel, Shanghai Knights.
Eddie Yang (Jackie Chan) is a Hong Kong police officer cooperating with Interpol in the capture of a crime lord named AJ “Snakehead” Staul (Julian Sands). Snakehead procures an ancient book from a Chinese bookstore keeper, which tells the story of a boy being chosen every thousand years to bind the two halves of a legendary medallion.
In Hong Kong, Eddie and Interpol agent Arthur Watson (Lee Evans) lead a raid to capture Snakehead and his men, who are about to kidnap the boy, named Jai (Alex Bao). Eddie and the agents fight off Snakehead’s men, infiltrating the temple containing Jai. Jai is saved but Snakehead eludes them. Two weeks later Snakehead captures Jai aboard a cargo boat in Hong Kong. Eddie and a team of Hong Kong police engage and defeat several of Snakehead’s men, but Snakehead escapes with Jai to Dublin, Ireland.
In Ireland, Eddie is assigned to help Interpol with the investigation, much to Watson’s chagrin. Eddie is also reunited with his girlfriend, a British agent named Nicole James (Claire Forlani). By chance Eddie later encounters and apprehends one of Snakehead’s top men, who confesses Jai is being held in the harbour.
Eddie, Watson, and Nicole move to rescue Jai, defeating several Snakehead agents in the process. Eddie and Jai end up trapped inside a container, which is knocked into the water by one of Snakehead’s men before they can be released. Eddie keeps Jai alive by an inflatable tent, but himself drowns. After being rescued, Jai uses his medallion on Eddie’s body.
Directed by: Gordon Chan
Starring: Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, Claire Forlani, Julian Sands, John Rhys-Davies, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Christy Chung
Screenplay by: Bennett Davlin
Production Design by: Joseph C. Nemec
Cinematography by: Arthur Wong
Film Editing by: Don Brochu, Ki-Hop Chan
Costume Design by: Grania Preston
Set Decoration by: Joanne Woollard
Music by: Adrian Lee
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for action violence and some sexual humor.
Studio: Sony ScreenGems
Release Date: August 22, 2003
