The Medallion
Rate Movie[Total: 5 Average: 1.6]
- Directed By: Gordon Chan
- Written By: Bennett Davlin, Alfred Cheung, Gordon Chan, Paul Wheeler, Bey Logan
- Release Date: August 22, 2003
- Domestic Distributor: Sony (Tri-Star)
- Cast: Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, Claire Forlani
Box Office Info:
| Budget: $34 million | Financed by: Emperor Multimedia Group |
|---|---|
| Domestic Box Office: $22,219,192 | Overseas Box Office: $12,049,509 |
The Medallion (formerly titled Highbinders) was shot in English and was designed for the global market and EMG pre-sold the rights at the American Film Market in 2001, which sold well to distributors. While filming, EMG quickly changed part of the script to take place in Ireland to benefit from their tax incentives and then part way through the shoot, production was suspended so Chan could go off and quickly pump out another easy paycheck role in The Tuxedo — which just like The Medallion, relied mostly on vfx instead of Chan’s stunt work.
Sony picked up worldwide rights, except for markets throughout Asia and in France. After executives screened this stinker, they had it heavily re-edited and ordered reshoots. Sony released The Medallion through their Tri-Star label and originally dated it for October 17, but pushed it forward to the end of the summer dumping ground on August 22, 2003. It opened against the long delayed duds My Boss’s Daughter and Marci X and received terrible reviews.
The Medallion tanked with $8,111,324 — placing #5 for the weekend led by the holdover Freddy Vs. Jason. It declined 42.3% in its second frame to $4,682,812 and sank 53.4% in its third session to $2,183,244. The US run closed with a poor $22,219,192. Sony would see back about $12.2 million after theaters take their percentage of the gross, far less than their P&A expenses.
Emperor distributed the pic in Hong Kong, where it was a major flop, grossing just $929,544. The international star saw The Medallion tank in every market and it grossed $12,049,509 overseas. Jackie Chan’s career hit a low with the back to back releases of The Medallion and Around The World In 80 Days.