Jackie Chan cops to envy of De Niro

Martial-arts star Jackie Chan claims Hollywood limits roles for Asians and says it’s time he became a “real actor� by taking on roles other than as a kung-fu fighter.

“It’s all the same: cop from Hong Kong, cop from China. Jet Li, Chow-Yun Fat and I all face the same problem, our roles are limited,� said Chan, 50, referring to other Chinese action stars who have sought roles in Hollywood movies.

Chan’s latest Hollywood film, an adaptation of the Jules Verne classic “Around the World in 80 Days,� was a summer dud. Three others -- “The Medallion,� “The Tuxedo� and “Shanghai Knights� -- also received lukewarm responses at the box office.

Although Chan returned to the United States this year for the filming of “Rush Hour 3,� he said he wants to move away from action movies.

“I’ve always wanted to change, to become a real actor, like Robert De Niro,� he told Singapore’s Straits Times in Friday’s editions. “I don’t want to be seen as an action hero anymore.�