THE KUNG FU KID?

Kung Fu Hustle, Kung Fu Panda… Karate just isn’t what it used to be. The popularity of the 80′s sport has diminished and the likes of Jackie Chan and Stephen Chow have made Kung Fu popular and it’s no surprise to hear that Sony are pondering over calling their remake of The Karate Kid; shot in Beijing with a Chinese production company, The Kung Fu Kid instead.

First Showing’s sources reveal that Jackie Chan, who will step into the shoes of Oscar winning late Pat Morita as the mentor Mr. Miyagi announced the desired name change in an interview. 

The Kung Fu Kid, if that’s what it is to be named, will focus around Jaden Smith (Will’s son), “underdog against the world” as a bullied 12 year old youth stands up for himself with the help of an eccentric mentor.

Harold Zwart (The Pink Panther 2) directs from rookie scribe Chris Murphy who has borrowed elements from the original 1980′s film.

The name change hints that they are not going to be afraid to shake things up for this remake and as far as I’m concerned, it’s a positive thing. The less it looks like The Karate Kid, the more I can relax with this film and treat it on it’s own merits.