Shocking news has arrived this past weekend with the death of Brad Allan, one of the most respected stunt performers and coordinators in this generation of cinema. He was 48 years old.
Allan would be known as the first ever non-Asian member of the world famous Jackie Chan Stunt Team, having been a member from 1998-2010 before going off on his own as a stunt coordinator for major films, including the upcoming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Bradley James Allan was born in Melbourne, Australia on February 14, 1973. Fascinated with the world of Chinese culture, Allan began studying in martial arts, boxing, and gymnastics since the age of ten. At the age of fifteen, Allan found his foundation in Wushu after having met Liang Changxing and Tang Laiwei of the renowned Beijing Wushu Team, the team that launched international superstar Jet Li. Staying in Asia for the next seven years, Allan became one of the most prominent Wushu stylists to come from Down Under.
During production of Mr. Nice Guy, Brad met one of his idols in the legendary Jackie Chan. Impressed with his skills, Chan invited Allan to become the first non-Asian member of his Stunt Team, the Sing Ga Ban. After a brief role as a thug in Mr. Nice Guy, Allan flew out to Rotterdam to do a superlative kicking combination as a double for debuting Dutch superkicker Ron Smoorenburg in Who Am I? opposite Chan (see 0:19 in the clip above to see Allan’s kicking combination).
Allan would then get his breakout role in 1999 when Chan changed tune for the film Gorgeous, a romantic comedy which sees Chan’s businessman challenged by Allan, who plays a fighter hired by Chan’s former childhood friend turned business rival. Allan shows off his impressive skills in the two big stellar fights against Chan. In addition, the final fight between the two also shows Allan’s impressive chops for comedy. This is something Allan would do a year later when he interrupted his mentor’s monologue when he hosted Saturday Night Live.
During his stint with the JC Stunt Team, Allan would appear and do stunts in films and TV series not related to Chan. He would be stunt coordinator on films such as Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Riddick, Disney’s The Pacifier, and Hellboy II: The Golden Army to name a few. Allan ended his run with the Jackie Chan Stunt Team in 2010 and branched off on his own as an able-bodied stunt coordinator and fight choreographer.
His work as a stuntman, stunt coordinator, and fight choreographer is nothing short of amazing. His work on Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Kick-Ass, Pacific Rim, Kingsman: The Secret Service and its sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle are just a taste of what we got to see from this amazing talent. Prior to his passing, Allan had worked on two upcoming releases as stunt coordinator. They are Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, coming on September 3 and The King’s Man, the prequel to the Kingsman franchise, coming on December 22.
WorldFilmGeek sends its condolences to the family of Brad Allan. As a final tribute, here is an interview with Allan about his work with Jackie Chan. A stunt legend gone forever. Rest in Peace, Brad Allan.
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