Brad Allan, Shang-Chi Stunt Guru Dies at 48
The influential Australian stuntman, stunt coordinator, and actor Bradley James Allan died at 48 on August 7th, 2021. Allan was a longtime member of Jackie Chan‘s team and was most recently the stunt coordinator and second unit director on Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, according to Deadline.
Bradley James Allan
Allan’s death was announced on Chan’s personal website, saying only that the late stuntman died from an illness. However, Chan also added that the recent surge in COVID-19 cases has presented a significant challenge to 6th Annual Jackie Chan International Action Film Week, delaying the event.
My brothers, will be missing you! (https://t.co/2sKaXF655f) pic.twitter.com/amYafNMgtX
— Jackie Chan (@EyeOfJackieChan) August 7, 2021
“Many years ago while I was filming Mr. Nice Guy, [Allen] was just a fan and I remember him coming to visit the set,” Chan wrote on his blog on Saturday, August 7th.
“At that time, he was crazy about Chinese Kung Fu and had practiced it for many years. It was because of his amazing skills and talent, he transformed from being a fan to a stuntman, and eventually joined my JC Stunt Team. He even fought with me in Gorgeous, and I think a lot of people remember this skillful boxer in the movie. He has also contributed to many of my movies.”
Brad Allan and Jackie Chan. Photo: Alchetron
Allan trained in martial arts, gymnastics, and circus arts, but 1997’s Mr. Nice Guy began his 12-year collaboration with the famous martial artist and stunt legend. Working alongside Chan, his movies include Shanghai Noon, The Tuxedo, and Rush Hour 2, among many others, and he is credited as the first non-Asian member of Chan’s JC Stunt Team.
Allan’s credits also include hits like Solo: A Star Wars Story, Wonder Woman, Pacific Rim, Kick-Ass, and Avatar. Additionally, he worked on all the three Kingsman films. In fact, he served as the supervising stunt coordinator on The King’s Man, the third film in the series, arriving December 22nd, 2021.
On Kingsman: The Secret Service
R.I.P Brad哥 pic.twitter.com/A6799F5rtD
— Max Huang (@themaxhuang) August 8, 2021
Remembering Brad Allan
Allan carved out a space in Hollywood as one of the best people in his craft. His work left a mark on the people that he worked with and many took to social media to share their appreciation for the late stuntman.
Simu Liu, who worked with Allan on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, weighed in, saying:
Reeling from the sudden loss of someone from our production today. They were an integral part of our movie and will be greatly mourned and missed. We will honour that person in due time but for now, giving space and privacy to all affected.
Life is short; don’t let it pass you.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) August 6, 2021
And Edgar Wright, who worked with Allan on the sets of The World’s End and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, weighed in, saying:
But I can’t even process that he’s gone. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Love you Brad x
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) August 7, 2021
Max Huang, who plays Kung Lao in 2021’s Mortal Kombat and began his career as a member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, also mourned his loss online, tweeting:
Brad Allan, one of my biggest idols has passed away. So grateful to have had the chance to meet, work and learn with/from you. Your spirit will live on in our hearts. As he used to say, Jackie Chan Stunt Team FOREVER!
✊https://t.co/xrPOwjnyJf— Max Huang (@themaxhuang) August 7, 2021
Then, the fight choreographer Peter Lee, who worked with Allan, added some personal information about how the stuntman made it in the industry, saying:
a lot of us first noticed him in a little instructional video called Jackie Chan: My Stunts that has shaped an entire generation of stunt guys and filmmakers. You can see an hour-long excerpt on the @criterionchannl – even back then he was already lightyears ahead pic.twitter.com/kRL9gUMOkC
— Pete Lee (@kungfupete) August 7, 2021
Finally, someone shared a clip of Allan helping Chan in 2000 during his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live.
R.I.P – Brad Allan
One of the greats in martial arts and the first non-Asian member of the Jackie Chan stunt team.
Here is a snippet of him lending Jackie a hand in a SNL monologue. pic.twitter.com/zBG53HcFpT
— Harris Dang aka Critic Name (@FilmMomatic) August 7, 2021
At Marvel Blog, our thoughts are with Allan’s loved ones.
