Jackie Chan is in talks with Columbia Pictures to star in a remake of "The Karate Kid," a spokesman for the Hollywood studio said Thursday.
Steve Elzer, senior vice president for media relations at Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, confirmed the talks in an e-mail to The Associated Press but didn't give further details.
The plot of the remake will mirror the original, with Chan being eyed to play a mentor who helps a youngster stand up to bullies — a role similar to Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi in the 1984 film, Hollywood trade publication Variety reported Wednesday.
The youth will be played by Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, who starred alongside his father in "The Pursuit of Happyness" and appeared in the Keanu Reeves sci-fi movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still," Variety reported.
The setting has been changed to Asia from California, with shooting due to start in Beijing this summer, according to Variety.
What the Editorial:
WHAT?! Why?! The Karate Kid came out in 1984… there is no need for a remake!
I do not want to see Jaden Smith in Ralph Macchio's role, or Jackie Chan in Pat Morita's role. Miyagi is fine just the way he is.
And if Jaden is 10 years old, how is he going to get that car? You know the one he "waxed on" and "waxed off" all that polish??
And if he's just 10, I guess he's not going to have a love interest like Daniel and Ali did because that would be oogey.
If they did cast a girl, then who? Dakota Fanning? Oh wait, she's too old but her sister Elle is 10.
Who's going to play Johnny, the bully? Haley Joel Osment (since he's been getting into trouble lately) Oops he's too old, maybe Jake Lloyd the kid who played Anakin Skywalker?
What about the sensei of the Cobra Kai? Maybe Hasselhoff? KIDDING.
It was bad enough that "The Karate Kid" went on through three sequels with Ralph, then that fourth one with Hilary Swank. Apparently there was "The Way of Karate Kid" in 2004, glad I missed that!
Hollywood has got to stop this, come up with some new original ideas! Seriously.
(Associated Press)
