Actress Julia Ling a Finalist in Competition for Successor to Jackie Chan

On June 15, Julia Ling was one of ten finalists who competed in the Los Angeles Region competition to star in leading roles in several upcoming Jackie Chan movies. The Aug. 24 press release announcing her selection as a finalist states that not only was Ling chosen as one of four contestants to represent the U.S. in the next stage of the Jackie Chan's Disciples competition in Beijing, she also won the Best Acting award for her performance.

Jackie Chan is said to be one of the world's most talented action stars, a martial arts superstar, an acrobat like none other, and the current reigning Kung Fu King. However, at the age of 52, he has decided the time has come to select a successor. According to the story "The Lord with the Ring," it was officially announced in Beijing on Dec. 29, 2006, that the search would begin for a successor between the ages of 18 and 28 who is capable of driving a car or motor bike at breakneck speeds, jumping from building tops, and performing martial arts feats with amazing perfection.

The top ten contestants who vie for the title of successor will be given the opportunity to play leading roles in Chan's new movie, "The Inheritors of the China Dragon." From the top ten, one contestant will be selected as Chan's successor and will be given a jade ring Chan inherited from his mother.

Enter Julia Ling. In the press release she said she learned about the Jackie Chan's Disciples competition with only a month to prepare herself. Ling said it's been her "dream to work in action movies, to showcase the emotions behind the movements, so I immediately registered."

Ling practiced between six and seven hours every day and suffered several injuries along the way. "Sometimes I was so sore I couldn't walk down the stairs," she said. "In the end, the extraordinary support I received from my family and friends inspired me to keep going. I just didn't want to let them down."

Julia Ling plays Anna Wu on NBC's new show Chuck. She has also had recurring roles on ER and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and had guest appearances on Buffy the Vampire, House and The O.C.

Acting did not come naturally to Ling. She said that she "was a terrible actress when I first started. I was all about big facial expressions and reciting lines. But I said to myself, 'I want to be the greatest actress I can be.' I devoted all of my time to learning, and I kept a daily acting journal in which I recorded all of my observations. I learned I had to give my character the right to live."

All indications are that Ling has turned the corner and has a great acting career in her future.

Woody Wong is the head instructor at WushuStar Martial Arts Academy and was instrumental in helping Ling and others prepare for the Jackie Chan's Disciples competition. He said he believes Ling earned the Best Acting Award because of her ability to bring emotion to her performance. He said that Ling is "professional, determined and disciplined...she brings a wonderful enthusiasm and passion to her work, and she's creative and soulful. In my eyes, she has no limits."

Sources:

Press release, Actress Julia Ling Selected as Finalist, Wins Best Acting Award; http://www.prweb.com/releases/?548912

Story; http://wenhousecrafts.com/people/2007/jackiechan.htm