Jaden Smith to star in Karate Kid remake

Posted on November 12, 2008
Filed Under Actors, Remake

About one year ago I posted about a rumor that Will Smith was producing a remake of “The Karate Kid.” The word on the street was that his son, Jaden Smith, was attached to star in the remake. It all sounded a bit “out there” but we all knew that sooner or later the story would unfold.

Today I have an update. I t seems that my initial story wasn’t that far off. In fact – it was dead on.

Variety reports that the 1984 hit, “The Karate Kid,” has been refashioned as a star vehicle for Jaden Smith. The film will be produced by Jerry Weintraub (who launched the original franchise) and Will Smith, who of course is the 10-year-old actor’s father. They co-starred together in Jaden’s feature debut, “The Pursuit of Happyness.”

The film will shoot next year in Beijing and other cities. While the new film will be set in that exotic locale, it will borrow elements of the original plot, wherein a bullied youth learns to stand up for himself with the help of an eccentric mentor.

Columbia presidents Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach said they had been trying to find a way to bring back the series, which began with three films that featured Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita.

Being born in the mid 70′s I kind of grew up with the original Karate Kid franchise. Back then I loved it. All my friends loved it. It was one of those movies that left big footprint in our lives (well a cinematical footprint..) I would compare it to “The Goonies” (1985), “Indiana Jones” and other immortal classics from the 80′s. I still can’t justify a remake, but I guess it’s kind of a tribute. And sure, Jaden will probably be way more cool then Ralph Macchio…

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