The New Police Story marked the birth of "new Jackie Chan"

Chan's new film The Myth - a fantasy epic showing for the first time at the Korean Film Festival - is a departure from the traditional fighting hero that Chan has played in Hollywood films such as Shanghai Noon and Around The World In 80 Days.

The Hong Kong-based star, who previously indicated that he was bored with such roles, told BBC World Service's The Ticket programme that The Myth was moving his career on in a new direction.

"I choose my own parts," he said.

"In Hollywood, it's difficult for me - and also, I know my problem... my role is always the police from Hong Kong. With Jet Li, it's the police from China.

"For us, it's so limited because our English is not that good."

'Have to change'

Chan explained that this had, for example, been the case when he had received the script for The Interpreter - the UN-set thriller released earlier this year, starring Nicole Kidman.

He also said that he wanted to be considered the "Asian Robert De Niro," in particular because he admired the American actor's ability to take a wide number of roles.

"He's not young anymore, but he's still the bad guy, the good guy, the good cop, the bad cop - and then in comedy," he said.

Nobody writes a love story - on the beach, in slow motion, with kissing - for Jackie Chan Jackie Chan

"What I realised is that the life of an action star is very short... I want to continue to make movies, so I have to change.

"In Hong Kong, I can do whatever I like, so last year I started my own company and started The New Police Story - a drama.

"This year it's The Myth - a fantasy. Next month I start another movie that is totally comedy. I want all the audience to know that not only can I fight, I can really act."

This film would announce "a totally new Jackie Chan," he added.

But while his Chinese contemporary Jet Li has already said that he is giving up action stunts, Chan said that he would continue to make some action films, but of a different kind.

Stunt Oscar call

He pointed out that Clint Eastwood still performs in action films, but his roles are of a different nature to, for example, the Dirty Harry series.

Chan combines acting with his role as a Unicef goodwill ambassador

"Nobody writes a love story - on the beach, in slow motion, with kissing - for Jackie Chan," he added.

"So this is why I have to write my own scripts."

And he also said there should be a better acknowledgement of action films by critics and award selectors.

"I think sometimes that action films are more difficult than art films," he added.

"In a film like Drunken Master, when I fight, I have to pretend I'm drunk, and pretend to cry. I also have to do all the stunts, acting, and comedy.

"It's not only a drama. I think that, slowly, the new generation is recognising that action films are art films. A different kind of art film."

He also called for a new Oscar, to be awarded to the best stunt co-ordinator.

"It's not special effects, it's stunts, the design of a fighting sequence," he said.