Chapter 247: The Wronged Superstar
The struggles of Hong Kong cinema stemmed from more than just creative stagnation. Another critical issue was the size of the market itself. With a population of barely six million, Hong Kong simply could not sustain its once-booming entertainment industry on domestic demand alone.
When overseas markets began tightening, it dealt a devastating blow to an industry that produced nearly 200 films a year. For Hong Kong filmmakers, blocked exports were nothing short of fatal.
In the first half of the year alone, Joey Wong had already appeared in five films: Butterfly and Sword, City Hunter, Swordsman II, The Eagle Shooting Heroes, and All Men Are Brothers: Blood of the Leopard.
If she hadn't gone to Hollywood in the latter half of the year to film Rumble in the Bronx, she would have taken on even more projects. That was simply the reality of being a Hong Kong star at the time—constant filming, relentless schedules, no breathing room.
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Morning light filtered into the hotel bedroom. Aaron lay over Joey, brushing his fingers along her shoulder.
"That Hong Kong tycoon hasn't been bothering you again, has he?"
Joey smiled and lightly scratched her nails across his back.
"No. Ignoring him is enough."
"Besides," she added softly, "whether I take on more films or not doesn't really matter to me now."
After finishing Rumble in the Bronx, Joey had followed Aaron's advice and invested in Hong Kong real estate herself. That was one reason she hadn't accepted any new scripts since returning from the U.S.
"If I see a script I truly like, I'll still take it," she said. "But there's no need to film so many projects in a single year anymore."
Aaron stroked her back thoughtfully.
"I think Hong Kong cinema is heading into a real decline."
Unless the mainland market across the border opened up significantly, the path forward would only narrow further. Under current conditions, Hong Kong films simply couldn't compete with Hollywood's special-effects blockbusters and large-scale action spectacles.
Joey nodded.
"It's already starting. This year's market is noticeably weaker than last year."
As someone immersed in the industry, she could feel the shift firsthand.
Aaron gave a small smile and rolled onto his back.
"They can probably hold on a little longer," he said. "Hong Kong cinema still has strong foundations."
"You're not getting up yet?" Joey leaned against him and kissed his cheek. "It's getting late."
"Hungry?" Aaron teased, pulling her closer.
Compared to Tokyo's winter chill, Hong Kong's climate felt far warmer—almost deceptively so.
Raymond Chow of Golden Harvest paid Aaron a personal visit after learning he was in Hong Kong.
The conversation soon turned to Hong Kong director John Woo and his Hollywood debut, Hard Target, released earlier that year. The film had been a commercial success. Universal Pictures invested nearly $20 million in the project, and it grossed $32 million in North America and $74 million worldwide.
"Commercially speaking, it did quite well," Raymond Chow said with a smile. "John Woo has taken his first real step into Hollywood."
Aaron nodded.
"It was his first Hollywood production, and it showcased his signature 'heroic bloodshed' aesthetic very clearly. Jean-Claude Van Damme's fight sequences were also highly marketable."
Still, compared to Woo's Hong Kong classics like A Better Tomorrow, the scale of action might have grown larger, the techniques more advanced, and the spectacle more polished—but the characters felt noticeably thinner.
Hard Target pursued visual impact yet lacked emotional weight. With a straightforward plot and underdeveloped characters, its critical reception had been lukewarm.
Perhaps that was inevitable. As a newcomer directing in Hollywood—working with a strong-willed action star like Jean-Claude Van Damme—John Woo had limited authority on set. Van Damme's dominance reportedly left Woo with far less control than he was accustomed to.
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"What about Rumble in the Bronx?" Raymond Chow asked, shifting to what mattered most. "When it opens in North America, is Dawnlight confident?"
For Golden Harvest, their co-production with Dawnlight on Rumble in the Bronx was crucial. Chow was eager to see Jackie Chan finally break into the American mainstream.
Aaron smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry. The film turned out well. Jackie's popularity across Asia is enormous—that momentum helps. When it opens in North America next year, we'll release it as a full commercial action title, with proper marketing and distribution."
That answer visibly eased Chow's concerns. Historically, Chinese-language films in North America received only limited releases, largely confined to Chinese community theaters.
"Then let's toast to a box-office hit," Chow said, raising his glass.
Aaron clinked it lightly.
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While Aaron spent Christmas in Hong Kong, Hollywood was being rocked by an escalating scandal involving Michael Jackson.
After formal accusations were made in the fall by Jordan Chandler, the Los Angeles Police Department launched a criminal investigation into alleged child abuse. Jackson's Neverland Ranch was searched.
Jordan's father, Evan Chandler, reportedly sought a $20 million settlement, but negotiations failed.
Police searches yielded no conclusive evidence. Jackson even underwent a humiliating strip search, which also produced no incriminating findings. Yet the media storm intensified when one of his estranged sisters publicly accused him of being a pedophile, issuing a harsh statement filled with personal attacks.
Under immense physical and psychological strain, Jackson canceled the Australian and U.S. legs of his Dangerous World Tour.
On Christmas Eve, he delivered a televised satellite statement from Neverland:
"As you know, after my tour I remained overseas for quite some time to receive treatment for the side effects of my dependency on pain medication.
Recently, there have been disturbing allegations regarding my supposed misconduct. They are completely false.
I have been subjected to an inhumane and humiliating examination—one of the most degrading experiences of my life. I endured it because it will prove my innocence. I am absolutely innocent."
Despite strong support from figures such as Lisa Marie Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, and Elton John, Jackson's mental and physical condition was clearly deteriorating.
The storm around him was far from over.