Jackie Chan‘s awkward meeting with Michael Cera recently became a talking point during the busy press tours for their latest films, as both actors crossed paths at the BBC Radio 2 studios. While promoting The Phoenician Scheme and Karate Kid: Legends, the encounter revealed unexpected tension and humor due to a misunderstanding about Cera’s identity.
An Unplanned Encounter at BBC Radio 2
The meeting unfolded as Michael Cera, in London to promote Wes Anderson‘s new film, The Phoenician Scheme, found himself invited by a photographer to meet action legend Jackie Chan, who was also on site for his latest movie, Karate Kid: Legends. Both actors were making press stops at the same location when Cera experienced what he described as a hilariously uncomfortable introduction.
“[A photographer] asked if I knew Jackie Chan, which I don’t, so she said, ‘Come meet him,’”
—Michael Cera, Actor.
During the brief exchange, Chan seemed unsure why Cera was eager to meet him, giving off the impression that Cera might have been a contest winner granted special access rather than a fellow actor.
“When I met him though, he was like ‘who is this person, what’s going on?’ We took a picture, but I think he thought I was a competition winner. He was like, ‘OK let’s do a picture real quick. Come on.’ Not rudely. But I felt like I was invading his little personal time with his team before he goes on the radio. So I was like, ‘What am I doing here?’ But everyone was very sweet, and I got to meet Jackie.”
—Michael Cera, Actor.
Parallel Film Releases Amidst a Competitive Summer
Although Michael Cera and Jackie Chan have never appeared together on-screen, their latest films went head-to-head on the same release date. Both The Phoenician Scheme, starring Cera as Bjørn Lund, and Karate Kid: Legends, featuring Chan as Mr. Han, premiered in theaters across the United States and Canada on May 30. Their releases contributed to a crowded summer box office alongside high-profile movies like Thunderbolts*, Final Destination: Bloodlines, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and Lilo & Stitch.
The Phoenician Scheme, launched with a limited release and set to expand nationwide on June 6, made a strong showing by earning $570,000 from just six theaters, giving it the highest per-location average opening of 2025. Meanwhile, Karate Kid: Legends debuted at number three at the North American box office with $21 million and performed well globally, accumulating $47 million worldwide thanks to audiences overseas.
Casting, Plotlines, and Critical Response
The Phoenician Scheme boasts an ensemble cast with Michael Cera making his Wes Anderson debut. The film focuses on a family dynasty, with Benicio del Toro portraying Zsa-zsa Korda, a businessman who names his only daughter, a nun, as his sole heir during the final days of a lifelong project that makes him a target for tycoons, foreign terrorists, and assassins.
“story of a family and a family business.”
—Unattributed
This film has already received strong notices, holding a 78% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes as it heads toward national expansion.
Jackie Chan returns to his role as Mr. Han in the sixth installment of the beloved Karate Kid franchise, fifteen years after he starred in the 2010 reboot with Jaden Smith. The latest chapter resembles the original story, with a young kung fu prodigy relocating to New York City in pursuit of victory at a prestigious karate competition, supported by Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, played by Ralph Macchio. While critics are split, giving it a 59% approval rating, the movie has proven incredibly popular among audiences, scoring a 91% audience rating.
Lasting Impressions and Industry Impact
The quirky, uncomfortable interaction between Michael Cera and Jackie Chan underscores the unpredictable dynamics of celebrity encounters behind the scenes. Despite Cera’s established career, Chan’s unfamiliarity with him during their BBC Radio 2 meeting highlighted how even renowned actors can experience moments of awkward anonymity. The shared premiere date of The Phoenician Scheme and Karate Kid: Legends placed both stars in the media spotlight, drawing attention to their projects amid one of the most competitive summer movie seasons featuring a wide array of genres and blockbuster titles. As these films continue their box office journeys, their stars’ stories off-screen, especially encounters like this, offer a reminder of the unscripted realities even in Hollywood’s tightly managed world.
