Jackie Chan: ‘They call it The Kung Fu Kid’

Jackie Chan

While speaking to a reporter for New Zealand’s 3 News in Hong Kong, Jackie Chan confirmed that he will star in producer Will Smith’s upcoming remake of THE KARATE KID and that shooting will begin after he finishes working on Chinese historical epic BIG SOLDIER, SMALL GENERAL. He also had something to say about the title.

“They don’t want to call it KARATE KID any more,” said Chan. “They want to call it THE KUNG FU KID.”

Let’s see. This remake is being set in China, stars kung fu movie legend Jackie Chan as the martial arts mentor. And now they want to change the title to THE KUNG FU KID?

Now add to this the fact that Smith’s 10-year-old son Jaden Smith is standing in for Ralph Macchio’s character, originally an Italian-American high schooler from New Jersey.

Seriously, it’s time to drop the pretense and call it what it is, another Jackie Chan movie that has little to do with THE KARATE KID apart from being co-produced by Jerry Weintraub and possessing a cross-culture, master-student relationship. Granted, this plot hook is somewhat rare but even that could change.

For all we know, by the time the movie starts shooting Chan could end up being a drunken immortal/spy/supercop/detective/Qing Dynasty agent reluctantly teaming up with his new partner, a fast-talking, 11-year-old undercover police officer/cowboy/secret agent from L.A. as they travel through time to stop the Triad/yakuza/mafia from trafficking drugs/ancient relics/cheap labor either in or out of China. They could call it THE LEGEND OF THE SHANGHAI RUSH HOUR KID with the tagline, “You thought this was a remake of THE KARATE KID and you were wrong, dead wrong.”

In related news, Chan is still talking about his desire to be taken seriously as an actor and he’s hoping that his latest film, SHINJUKU INCIDENT, will help in that regard.

Tags: Jackie Chan, Kung Fu Kid (2010), upcoming

Huewilly

Very funny article!!

SimonMW

I can't take it any more!! Kung Fu Kid?! Arrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!

Is Hollywood on a mission to make martial arts as patently uncool as they possibly can?

David

People need to stop picking on Jackie Chan. People!!! Come on. This is Jackie Chan you're talking about. Be nice. He could whoop yalls asses in a heartbeat.

MoKraak

God knows that we all love Jackie. However, moments in some of his recent filmsleft me with the same feeling that I got while watching Mantle limp to first base and Mays lose a ball in the outfield. It happens with all athletes and many actors eventually--Robert DeNiro is a good example. Nevertheless, I can't wait to see him in the Shinjuku Incident!!!

BTW, I'm sure that I saw Mar's expressive face in the Shinjuku Incident trailer. I've enjoyed watching him throughout his career from his singing/grinning/mugging beggar child in "Come Drink With Me" to Jackie's sidekick "Cowboy" in "Dragon Lord."

danmye

Why should they call it something with RUSH HOUR in it (because the Smith's are of African descent?-check the rascist references)? This one movie can't possibly put a substantantially negative dent into anything yet to come, so stop whining folks.

WuxiaFan

How about the FORBIDDEN LEGEND OF THE DRUNKEN KARATE SUPERCOP KID IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW OF THE NEW POLICY STORY ON WHEELS DURING RUSH HOUR IN SHANGHAI.

jiujitsu77

as soon as chan came aboard (no matter HOW MUCH i admire him) i felt this film would be shite.

im sorry. i wan't my karate kid to have karate in it

BruisedLo

the karate kid my @ss... lol.

Daniel Zelter

At least it's nice to know they didn't just automatically call it karate, because they're lazy, and think we can't tell the difference, anyway.

remo

It's not a Jackie Chan movie, the remake was in the works long before he came on board. And plenty of remakes have veered significantly from their source material, that's nothing new.

But with a 10-year-old lead this picture was never aimed at our demographic anyway, so I'm not sure it's worth blowing a gasket over. I think it could be a decent flick for its intended audience, just have to wait and see.

JPV

This is scary. However, I'm a firm believer that no matter how many bad movies he gets himself into, Jackie Chan couldn't ruin Jackie Chan's legacy.