Around the World in 80 Days (2004 film)
A comedic, anachronistic adaptation of Jules Verne's classic novel.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Around the World in 80 Days is a 2004 action adventure comedy film directed by Frank Coraci from a script by David Titcher, David Benullo and David Goldstein. Loosely based on Jules Verne's 1873 novel of the same name, the film intentionally deviates wildly from the novel for comedic reasons and includes anachronistic elements. An international co-production of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland, it stars Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, Cécile de France and Jim Broadbent.
- Release date
- 13 June 2004 (premiere); 16 June 2004 (United States)
- Director
- Frank Coraci
- Writers
- David Titcher, David Benullo, David Goldstein
- Budget
- $110 million
- Box office
- $72.6 million worldwide
- Runtime
- Not specified in article
- Genre
- Action adventure comedy
Lore & Background
The film follows Chinese thief Lau Xing, who robs a Jade Buddha from the Bank of England belonging to Lord Kelvin, head of the Royal Academy of Science. Lau Xing seeks refuge with inventor Phileas Fogg, giving his name as 'Passepartout', and is hired as Fogg's valet. When Fogg calculates it is possible to circumnavigate the world in eighty days, Lord Kelvin offers to vacate his position if Fogg succeeds, but if he fails Fogg must cease scientific pursuits. Fogg accepts and is joined by Passepartout, who sees the journey as a way to return home. They travel to Paris, Istanbul, India, China, and across America, encountering impressionist painter Monique La Roche and being pursued by General Fang, whom Kelvin has ordered to retrieve the Jade Buddha. The trio eventually returns to London, where Fogg's trust is tested, and they face Lord Kelvin's interference.
Reader's Guide
Around the World in 80 Days (2004) is notable as a big-budget family adventure that deviates significantly from its source material. The film was a commercial disappointment, earning $72.6 million worldwide against a $110 million budget, and has been listed by the Los Angeles Times as one of the most expensive box office flops of all time. It received mixed reviews from critics, with a 32% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 49 out of 100. The film was nominated for two Razzie Awards: Worst Remake or Sequel and Worst Supporting Actor (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Despite its financial and critical reception, the film features Jackie Chan's trademark action-comedy style and a supporting cast including Ewen Bremner, Ian McNeice, and Karen Joy Morris.
Did You Know?
- Jackie Chan was paid about $18 million for his role as Passepartout.
- The film was one of the highest-budget films produced without a distributor attached before Disney picked it up for North American distribution.
- Principal photography began on 13 March 2003 in Thailand, followed by a three-month shoot at Babelsberg Studio in Berlin.
- The film was nominated for two Razzie Awards: Worst Remake or Sequel and Worst Supporting Actor (Arnold Schwarzenegger).
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