The trend of messing with our childhoods just seems to keep steam rolling on, no matter how much complaining fans do. One of the latest is a remake of the 1984 classic, The Karate Kid. The news recently broke that Will Smith’s son, Jaden, will be starring in the lead role, with Jackie Chan starring as the updated version of Mr Miyagi. It’s also come to light that this film won’t be a remake of the original: the screenplay will “borrow elements” from the original film but is not a remake.
And, to make that difference clear, the filmmakers have gone so far as to rename the film. So what are they renaming it? Well, according to Chan: “They don’t want to call it Karate Kid any more… They want to call it The Kung Fu Kid.”
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So they’re remaking The Karate Kid, fine. And they’re casting Will Smith’s son as the titular character, okay. And they’ve even got Jackie Chan as the new Mr. Miyagi, great! But The Kung Fu Kid? Are they serious?! The filmmakers must’ve been reading all of the movie websites (such as our very own Screen Rant) to cover their backs with that one, eh?…
Film Drunk mentioned The Kung Fu Kid as a possible title for the project over a year ago, but now it’s looking like that’s what it’s going to be. With it the filmmakers have kind of neutered themselves, contradicting themselves in the most stupid of ways: they’re remaking a famous film, presumably hoping to capitalize on the name recognition of those who loved the original as kids, and then they go and give it a different title, effectively removing said name recognition.
Our friends over at First Showing point out the fact that the martial art of Karate actually has some of its historical roots in Kung Fu, so the reason they may be changing the name instead is to be more “culturally relevant and accurate.”
Hmmm, okay, I guess I can buy that – but you gotta’ admit, the title of The Kung Fu Kid sounds pretty silly, to say the least.
The Karate Kid is one of those movies that gets overshadowed by its many sequels (which steadily diminished in quality from the original). And much like the Rocky series, people seem to forget that the original Karate Kid film wasn’t just one of those fun, entertaining, “you like it because you remember it from childhood” type of movies; it’s actually a respectable film of decent quality that even got nominated for an Oscar (for Pat Morita’s legendary performance as Mr. Miyagi).
It’s yet another one of those classic movies that just doesn’t need another sequel, let alone a remake “re-imagining.” Didn’t Hollywood learn from the tried and failed The Next Karate Kid?
What are your thoughts on the title The Kung Fu Kid, and about the general notion of them doing another Karate Kid?
Sources: FirstShowing.net, /Film and Filmdrunk
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46 Comments
@Mark Ridcliff
That statement is silly. If that was the case Ralph Macchio should of called up the Capo Regime to put horses heads in the Cobra Kai members bed’s, hook up car bombs, and the whole nine, which last I checked the Mafia was alive and kicking in the 70s/80s just like they are now. Even a white kid would get shot in the face, probably by the local “brotherhood” chapter for being friendly with an Asian. So race doesn’t apply, nor does the time era. Oh yes last I checked people of all races were still getting shot in the face via the 70s and 80s over stupid crap.
Drug violence was actually at its peak in the 80’s…
Big hair and spandex was also at its peak too. LOL.
There must be a connection…
I have to agree to a point of Mark’s comments. the time era of movies does play a part if dated. Like the movie ‘the bodygaurd’ not the one with Kosner but where a teen hired a bigger kid to keep from getting beat up in school it works fine back then but to redo that movie now would a little unrealistic. you can watch a lot of older movies and get by with stuff but the karate kid and bodygaurd tell me in this day in time someone kicks someone’s a** and they’re going to wait for a tournament, unlikely. Of course this is all basied on Hollywoods virsion of our reality, so who knows.
Drillbit Taylor?
@ Clark Ratliff
So you’re saying because it was the 80s that people didn’t get gunned down for beating some one up. Sorry but that is absurd. Ken J brings up a good point with Drillbit Taylor. Those kids would have been pwned, run down or whatever for challenging some one that wild. And don’t give me the oh well they were here and there or it was a comedy line. It’s a movie and the rules can be bent/broken. Therefore RACE AND TIME ERA HAVE NO BEARING.
Go back to some of those Bruce Lee interviews from the 70s and he even says that “now” meaning the 70s you can’t get away with beating people up because they will shoot you in the face.
They already remade the whole concept…it was called Never Back Down…only it was “mixed martial arts” which by the way was a crappy movie!
Now a days movies aren’t original like they used to be.They either take one good idea and role with it for like 10 years or they “remake” a classic movie.There’s seriously no originality anymore.I love watching movie so sorry if Im being rude but I think this is getting rediculous.
@ Samrah
I agree w/ ya heartly about what you mentioned. I wished Hollywood wont remake every damn franchise. Karate Kid franchise is one of those that doesnt need a remake much like Nightmare On Elm street, Friday the 13th & Halloween films. I even heard Gremlins and Back To The Future being remade which makes my stomach turn. Thing about Karate kid was anyone, especially Daniel’s age goes through the same problems and they would’t mind having someone like Mr. Miyagi teach Daniel the important things about karate on how it should be used only for defense and not to use on others for the heck of it like the Cobra Kai’s Sensai. Pat Morita nailed his role perfect i think. Anyways, like Nightmare on Elm Street remake ill probly pass on seeing this film. I doubt i’ll even rent it on dvd. Not all franchises need to be remade.
@chrisj
While it’s true Karate Kid was a good movie, the sequels were pretty bad, lol.
@ Ken J
The only sequel i didnt care much for was The Next Karate Kid. Part 2 was decent and i thought Part 3 was a good sequel. But the 1st is still my favorite.
I totally agree with Ken J. when he said, “Obviously Jackie Chan can’t teach a “Karate Kid” since Karate is from Okinawa, which is now part of Japan, while Jackie Chan is Chinese, and Chinese people don’t practice Karate, but different forms of Kung Fu. So I think the name change is simply just for the sake of not having a movie with a Chinese guy teaching an Okinawan martial art…,” It was a good idea to do a name change for that simple fact. One thing that striked me about this whole conversation is that no one really realized that ITS NOT A REMAKE, its just taking key elements from the Karate Kid series. Don’t get me wrong I am a BIG Karate Kid fan and I personally hate remakes but just give the movie benefit of the doubt.The movie may shock us all and actually be good or it will suck on ice. I think since Jayden Smtih seems to be taking this role seriously that it is a good chance that he would do a good job playing the lead role. As for Jackie, its kinda hard because if he digs hard enough he could be a good mentor. IDK THIS IS JUST MY OPIONION EVERYONE!! Keep in mind that times are changing and that this movie really needs open-minded individuals in order to be successful. Honestly I think it would be fairly good but nothing can touch the original Karate Kid.
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