Backstage Pass with Lia Chang: James Hong Talks about Big Trouble in Little China

James Hong reminisces about his role as David Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China, and working in Hollywood for 61 years, after the screening of Big Trouble in Little China at JANM’s Tateuchi Democracy Forum in LA on April 8, 2015. Video by Tami Chang/Lia Chang Multimedia

[@RobertNoss]

Lo Pan is the best villain ever put on screen. You never see that kind of colorful bad guys anymore. Kudos to Mr Hong for that classic performance.

[@MelancoliaI]

5 years late but I agree. Long live Lo Pan!!!

[@darylobey8867]

Indeed

[@Npc1488-wc1kf]

Comments are forever

[@pheenix42]

"Shut up, Mr. Burton, you were not brought upon this world to 'get it'."

[@WiggleBabies]

This movie freakin rules. John Carpenter is one of the greatest filmmakers to ever work in Hollywood.

[@frankiehands]

Incredible to hear him talk so passionately about this movie. It’s my favorite of all time. My dog is named David Lopan and I have Lopan tattooed on my arm!!!

[@scottshanahan3827]

Wow that is commitment to a movie!

[@Npc1488-wc1kf]

I bought a lo pan tank top for the gym Had to get the Fu Man Chu tank top as well

[@bigollameo]

Hats off to James Hong! Thank you for making my childhood special with your rendition of Lo Pan.

[@user-nc5ql2wq4o]

Movies from the 80's will always be the best!!!!!

[@Valandar2]

Seven years later, he still has multiple projects releasing this year, and two more currently in production. THIS man should be called "The hardest working man in Show Biz".

[@Fershizzal]

Im going to cry when he leaves us, so im happy he's still alive at 92

[@RMoocher]

95 now!

[@timothyoakhart8860]

It's a crime that this dude doesn't have a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame.

[@dogdaysindurham]

Got one this year, 2022.

[@crasherkid7954]

@@dogdaysindurham too right. Legend

[@DarkMatterX1]

​@@dogdaysindurham Didn't know that. Glad to hear it. Well deserved.

[@SIXNINEONEFOUR]

Those stars are reversed for those who play hollywoods ball

[@benwasserman8223]

Not only did Hong get one, he starred in an Oscar-winning film to go with it!

[@glendanielson9006]

Big Trouble In Little China is the BEST, and so are you James Hong!!!

[@vajeye-nar6172]

He will always be Lo Pan to me

[@psibur]

Good to see Gerald Okamura half-way sorta-kinda smile over there. Even that gives me a reason to go on.

[@Excalibur2112]

*Now this really pisses me off to no end!*

[@EMDSD40T2]

Love James Hong in the episode of Seinfeld, Cartwright!....Cartwright!!

[@bobstewart420]

Thank you to Mr. Hong for his portrayal of Lo Pan. My friends and I saw this movie in the theater when it came out. To this day we still recite lines of dialogue. Such a great movie. So sad to hear he doesn’t want to see another BTiLC. There is a GREAT storyline to be had from the end of the movie.

[@Npc1488-wc1kf]

INDEED!

[@daveelson213]

and hollywood wants to remake this unremakable classic. been watching 30+yrs and i'll continue watching for the next 30yrs.

[@gettimabodybag6213]

My fave movie ever since seeing it back in the 80's & my utmost respect & love to the entire cast.

[@elih9700]

I was 12 when I saw it, leaping down the stairs in the cinema after the film thinking I was some kung fu master, pork chop express mania.

[@GaryPotocki82]

I love the soundtrack to This movie I play it on the freeway downtown Seattle when I'm driving

[@paulconnolly3189]

Burton: Ah you know what Jack Burton was saying at that time like this? Thunder: Who? Burton: JACK BURTON.. ME.

[@robinhosleftfoot]

Imagine Jack Burton and Ronnie Pickering in a stand off! Jack Burton! Who? ME! Ronnie Pickering! Who's that? ME!

[@arcangelcrowe]

This movie is very close to my heart. I also grew up in Asian culture and am pretty militantly bias about Asians. My step mother is and my cousins are. I have all my years had a deep love for Asian people, Asian culture, and friendships and relationships that can not be understood in a world more comfortable with troupes than reality. I have come so close to meeting James and seem to miss it by a hair. Closest I got was Orange County Strawberry Festival. I hope I get to meet him and tell him what an awesome actor and influence he was on me as a kid. I would love to be a hidden hand and force of substantial support behind Asian Americans in all key rolls in this country.

[@erictheguapo]

Big Trouble in Little is such a great movie and also gave birth to the inspiration of many of the Mortal Kombat characters

[@benson556]

James Hong is a legend! I'm always excited to see him perform.

[@drivingintothedesertuntilt3202]

james hong is a great actor

[@iwasbatman2060]

Among the best action 80's / 90's films. Very unique in its style, setting & epic in its story, characters. Indeed this can never be replicated.

[@bgl00ney]

LOVE that movie and am elated he's still around to be celebrated for such a fantastic performance. I only with Victor Wong was there with him.

[@keepaway7896]

I thank all the actors for giving us such a wonderful movie something we can look back on over and over

[@ForceMultiplier]

My favorite movie of ALL TIME.

[@eracingregal]

Indeed!!!! David Lo Pan

[@gggfff685]

What an awesome dude and storyteller!

[@DarkMatterX1]

One of the greatest movies ever made.

[@dracopticon7788]

Talk about being a legend in the cinema world. I absolutely love Mr. Hong. What a sincere and yet relaxed person.

[@razawarrior]

I raised my kids on this movie. My youngest kiddo thought she was Jack Burton. One of the best movies ever made by far!

[@kingbaldwiniv5409]

I love James Hong in everything I've ever seen him in.

[@dracopticon7788]

Mr James Hong!

[@theprolorenzo]

1 of my favourite movies

[@atjthe2nd]

yes! i had to buy the movie on youtube also!

[@lfkk4640]

Love this movie. I was Lo Pan for one Halloween. 👍

[@alexaraya2018]

you know that if they did a sequel he could still play Lowpan

[@ninigo8191]

Thank you Mr Hong! I was 8 years old when I first watched Big Trouble in Little China you scared me and yet I was so fascinated by your character!

[@LunaticReason]

I hear that they are planning a sequel with the Rock, I'm Chinese always enjoyed this movie growing up despite its Orientalism it made me want to look into Asian mythology and folklore. Like Mr. Hong says I hope more Asian actors get more principal roles and that this next film gives them that opportunity.

[@Luigi_Mario_1997]

LunaticReason Me too. My dad was big on Eastern Mythology, too, and this movie had a lot of myth references! Even though I saw this movie before I learned the word ‘fuck’ (I was like 4-5 years old), Big Trouble in Little China will always hold a place in my heart.

[@thedarksideoftheforce6658]

They should never ruin a classic. Like Coming to America 2 for example was okay but I personally don't think it's better than part one. I think they should not make a sequel.

[@alimfuzzy]

I remember when I was 6 years old in Hong Kong and this movie was playing on a little TV in the back of a shop... I didn't know what it was but was fascinated. It took me another 15 years to figure it out what it was and find it (i thought it was an obscure chinese film). I was so happy when I found it and watched it in full... I was not disappointed.

[@maxovalentino9647]

David lopan godfather of China Town and head of wing Kong exchange forever we love lopan and lia for life .

[@edwardmarcell2494]

I totally agree with him when he said there will never be another big trouble little china. I still wish they would have at least made a sequel. One of my top favorite movies of all times

[@Playitstraight44]

A brilliant man from a brilliant movie. In my top five all time favorites.

[@lordblueeyesfrankieg204]

Great movie and great cast.

[@bobbieandrews7032]

James Hong is a wonderful actor did a wonderful job playing low pan

[@jovenvillaflores4009]

I love James Hong,Great Man!

[@rightmeowvalentio6407]

Ahh my gorgeous Lia chang first lady of wing Kong mob lol love the reunion and you're fabulous on your channel and Interviews Take good care of yourself and see u in next video 😘.

[@tontsa5926]

When i think a movie that impacted me the most in my childhood it’s definately Big trouble in little Chinatown.

[@stevenspenneberg7407]

He knows how to get those Applause breaks.

[@PonderousProse]

Absolute legend. I LOVE him. Thank you for sharing this.

[@Elipro427]

Legend

[@NewfutureIT]

Classic movie, definitely worth holding onto

[@kluse.2329]

Watched this movie hella times as a kid 👍

[@rudeboysandokhan442]

What a class act. Along with Wes Studi, he's one of my favorite actors. Both men are truly underrated in terms of their talent relative to their public profile

[@jamessharp2012]

You can see the camaraderie between the cast on screen. It worked so well

[@MotherRealtor]

please don’t forget mulan 🤣🤣🤣 you are AMAZING!!!!!! love you so much

[@bigmoose99]

Legend.

[@keepingitreal71]

James Hong ROXKS....

[@daveharrell2672]

I just saw this and so glad I saw James Hong. I saw this movie and it's a classic. Thank you James

[@abundantYOUniverse]

Just the BEST. Thanks!

[@Ironwind1972]

One of my all time favorite movies. Just watched it last night.

[@jonnycoathanger8399]

Kill the round eye and keep the other one, Lo Pan Style. Great movie, great music. this will not happen again. this is a great moment. I'm a round eye and this was a great movie. Can we get back to making great movies?

[@t1mec0p]

I really watched the movie last night and his performance is transcendent. It is one of my personal favorites in all of film history. Respect to him for his acting, but I do also hope to see more Asian-Americans in principal roles in films now and in the future. It is long overdue.

[@Unsung_Earth]

80s great time for movie's

[@Izzyhawk]

I’m glad I met Lou Pan aka James Hong

[@09nob]

Love it, that film is good medicine.

[@salum75]

take note holywood producers: no big media, no big budget and no big effects, what made this movie so big was its good story, a big story in a little film. didnt made a great box office, but caught up afterwards.

[@thaddeust.thirdiii736]

Such a fun movie. That would’ve been fun to be apart of

[@jarrettenaope7038]

Lord Lo...Pan🌹🤘🌹😇

[@NotthatRossKemp]

My favourite movie...

[@miguelgarcia3333]

Awesome movie!!!

[@kaioser]

lo pan, shang tsun based on this character

[@TheCraneMan]

Lia Chang This is one my favorite movie I love this movie I have it on DVD and Blu-ray it's a best movie to watch.i gave you thump up and I subscribe your channel By The Crane Man

[@alexhogg5787]

*salute*

[@Crumphorn]

Love James Hong - but in my personal opinion his brilliant comic turn as the blind ping pong master in Balls of Fury is still the funniest thing he has done yet.

[@TheSlammurai]

I've had to badger and harass people into watching this movie and they always end up loving it.

[@Renzo9171]

i love you, evybare legends my hereos

[@TSpancer80]

87 years old and he looks and behave like a 60 years old? I am afraid that he is Lo Pan for real ^_^

[@MatthewMcClellan]

"Shut up, Mr. Burton. You are not put upon this earth to 'get it'."

[@KingofNewark]

Who are these people? Friends of yours? Now this really pisses me off to no end!

[@chinatownboy7482]

The guy sitting next to Mr. Hong, wearing the eyeglasses - was he in Big Trouble In Little China?

[@DarkMatterX1]

A year late, but yes. He's in the funeral fight, and the fight in the tunnels under Wing Kong.

[@OMarinheiroMacho]

What Happened to Suzee Pai? 😪

[@maxovalentino9647]

Thier goes my silly cute wabbit Lia Chang lady of the wing Kong u take care sweetie and love the reunion video God bless and good fortune to in the future

[@mr.doobsie58]

Make the Sequel ASAP!!!!!!

[@ThePatank]

i think it would have been better for john carpenter to make the sequel, and have jack burton go to a different setting where he still the bumbling hero who happens to be at the right place at the right time. I like the idea of it staying in California, so maybe the Porkchop Express makes a delivery to a small town in southern California steeped in native American culture or something.

[@davidharden7575]

magic! the darkest magic!

[@davemiller6055]

I have to respectfully disagree with the inestimable Mr Hong. Mr Hong, you and the cast and crew of that film put in a hell of a lot more than a mere 150%. Big Trouble In Little China is the greatest motion picture ever made. And I'm serious about that.

[@rattletrap1]

At some point Dave must've appeased Ching Dai, and went to NYC to open a Cjinese restaurant...

[@ulysses2162]

Who's the cute lady sat next to him?

[@karnliberated]

Seinfeld party of four!

[@DarkMatterX1]

I yell Cartwright, you not answer

[@bradfromthevalley]

part of heaven is like kung fu theatre it would seem angels and dragons, problem is the terminator get involved, Put low pan on a Pirate ship. Now dress him nice and they are out fishing...

[@brandocalrissian3294]

Back when people with wonder and a sense of magic made movies. Today it's all cookie cutter.