* ActingForTwo:
** Lui Yifei plays Golden Sparrow [[spoiler:and an IdenticalStranger in the closing BookEnd]].
** Creator/JetLi plays the monk [[spoiler:and the Monkey King. Justified, considering the monk is actually just one of the Monkey King's magical clones]].
** Creator/JackieChan as Lu Yan [[spoiler: and Old Hop. Also justified, since they're actually the same person]].
* BillingDisplacement: Neither the posters, nor the [[NeverTrustATrailer trailers]] ever mentioned Jason. The only hint that he was there ''at all'' was his appearance in fleeting images in early trailers, which only served to confuse people.
* CastingGag: An unintended version with Creator/ShuichiIkeda, already the designated dub voice of Jet Li, [[spoiler:[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam voicing]] a clone.]]
* CreatorsOddball:
** John Fusco predominately writes westerns or at least [[NewOldWest neo-westerns]].
** Meanwhile Rob Minkoff is the guy behind things like ''Film/StuartLittle'', ''Film/TheHauntedMansion2003'' or ''WesternAnimation/MrPeabodyAndSherman'', so him directing - or at least trying to direct - a wuxia ''really'' stands out. Allegedly, most of the fight scenes were done by the 2nd unit and assistant directors, with him not even present at the set.
* DyeingForYourArt: Just like his character, Michael Angarano went through TrainingFromHell. Though somewhat athletic, he did not know kung fu and had to learn it during the shooting of the movie. Some of the stuff went a little like this:
--> '''Kung Fu Master:''' Your legs aren't flexible enough. We need to work on your flexibility.\\
'''Michael Angarano:''' Okay, so does that mean I'm going to be do stretching exercises?\\
'''Kung Fu Master:''' No, muscles adapt quicker when they're growing anew. Two of my disciples will pull your legs so your muscles rip apart and we'll work on your flexibility as the muscles grow back. You won't be able to walk properly for the next two weeks though.\\
'''Michael Angarano:''' Wait, wha-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! IT HUURTS!!
:: And three weeks later, Michael Angarano could do a full split.
* DuelingStarsMovie: If anybody tells you they saw this movie for a reason other than to see '''Creator/JackieChan''' vs. '''Creator/JetLi''', they're probably lying.
** They might be watching it for the DesignatedGirlFight between [[Film/Mulan2020 Liu Yifei]] and Creator/LiBingbing.
* PlayingAgainstType:
** Jet Li, as the Monkey King, is a grinning, giggling trickster. This is precisely the opposite of [[TheStoic almost every other role of his.]]
** The same goes ''double'' for Creator/ShuichiIkeda in the Japanese dub for the same character.
* TypeCasting: Played straight in that both characters are martial arts experts, but averted with Creator/JackieChan playing a somewhat serious immortal and Creator/JetLi playing a more comical [[Literature/JourneyToTheWest monkey king]].
* WorkingTitle: Just to cement what was [[JustHereForGodzilla the real intent]] of making the movie, it entered production as ''The [[Creator/JackieChan J]] & [[Creator/JetLi J]] Project''.
----