Chan, launching the film in Cannes with co-stars Kwone Sang Woo, Yao Xingtong and Liao Fan, said that people never believe him when he says he is going to retire.
"They say 'no, you're still young, you can still do it,' but I have to stop one day."
The 58-year-old says he is bowing out with "Chinese Zodiac" because it's one of the "most important" films in his career.
Chan wrote, produced, directed and coordinated fights scenes for the film - in which his character searches for the 12 bronze heads of the Chinese zodiac.
Chan promised that he'll continue to make films, but with more acting than action, citing Robert DeNiro and Clint Eastwood his role models.
