Harlin House

Episode Summary
What happens when a Hollywood director enters a film set with no script, no schedule, and no budget?
In this episode of Harlin House, Renny and Johanna Harlin take us behind the scenes of Renny's extraordinary six years working in China. From turning down Rush Hour to directing Jackie Chan in Skiptrace, Renny shares the challenges of navigating a different filmmaking culture, his personal experience witnessing September 11, and the unexpected lessons that shaped his career.
Renny also reveals how an unscripted scene featuring Jackie Chan singing Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" became a viral moment, including the personal letter that helped secure Adele's permission. Discover how he combined Hollywood's structured filmmaking approach with the creativity and work ethic of Chinese crews to complete Skiptrace in just 83 days. It's a fascinating look at cultural collaboration, filmmaking, and the power of adapting to new challenges.
Chapters
00:00 Episode Highlights & Introduction
01:29 Hollywood vs. Chinese Filmmaking
03:10 How Jackie Chan Brought Renny to China
04:09 Why Renny Turned Down Rush Hour
06:09 Meeting Jackie Chan & the Movie That Never Happened
08:23 Witnessing September 11
10:59 Why Renny Chose Not to Film the Tragedy
13:34 The Personal Side of Harlin House
17:12 Finally Working with Jackie Chan on Skiptrace
18:28 The Story Behind Jackie Chan Singing Adele
22:40 How Adele Gave Permission for the Song
25:45 Why Six Months in China Became Six Years
27:34 Working with an All-Chinese Film Crew
30:10 Making Movies Without Scripts or Schedules
33:39 The Incredible Work Ethic in China
37:32 Jackie Chan's Leadership on Set
40:14 Bringing Hollywood Structure to Chinese Filmmaking
44:03 Finishing Skiptrace in Just 83 Days
46:05 The Importance of Respecting Different Cultures
48:49 Renny's Advice: Stay Humble and Open to Learning
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🌐 Website: Harlin House