Start practicing your crane kick.In case you hadn't heard, a remake of the 1984 favorite 'The Karate Kid' is set to fight its way into theaters on June 11, 2010 -- and we're guessing fans of the original are wondering what the deal is. To that end, here's a rundown of what we know about the flick thus far.
For starters, the movie employed the working title of 'The Kung Fu Kid' for a while, but Sony has done the smart thing and renamed it, well, 'The Karate Kid.' Jaden Smith (Will's son) takes over for Ralph Macchio as the titular kid, while Jackie Chan tackles the role of the inspirational, goatee-sporting, bon-mot-spouting karate sensei, so memorably portrayed by the late Pat Morita in four 'Karate' installments.
The plot will follow the key points of the beloved Ralph Macchio flick, about a boy who turns to martial arts after being bullied. The action is now set in China and the main character's name has been changed from Daniel to Dre, and his mentor is called Mr. Han instead of Mr. Miyagi. And judging by photos from the set that have popped up online at Filmofilia, it looks like Dre won't be getting any by-the-books training from Mr. Han.
Macchio (who turns -- gasp! -- 48 tomorrow) can currently be seen as Hilda Suarez's politician boyfriend on 'Ugly Betty,' but is still best known for his role as underdog Daniel(san) Larusso. Macchio is among those who aren't sure a remake of such a beloved film is a good idea. As he recently told MTV.com, "It feels pretty good that some people are pretty angry that they're trying to remake 'The Karate Kid.' ... From my personal view, the filling the void of what Mr. Miyagi was -- and the magic of that character -- is going to be the toughest task. I [also] don't know where the romantic story-arc goes [with the character] at that age."The only other cast member listed at the moment is Taraji P. Henson as, we assume, Smith's mother, who moves her son to Beijing. And Harald Zwart, who previously helmed 'Agent Cody Banks' and 'The Pink Panther 2,' is directing.
Will the new flick honor the memory of its '80s feel-good predecessor? Or is the mere idea of a remake a punch below the belt?
Reader Comments (65)
shelby at 10:16AM on Nov 6th 2009
They remade the movie WILD WEST that his dad did and it weas a flop. Why do people think it dosnt matter if the remake is with a African American? it does matter it the movie was a flop and it also ruined the chances of a good remake of the show. people didnt expect a black James West and they wont think a black Karate Kid will be cool either. But thats not politicaly correct for me to say, I guess.
Stephen at 10:28AM on Nov 6th 2009
Yes, it will be different....But it will not take away from what and why we love Noriyuki (Pat) Morita......Jackie Chan will do a great job I'm sure !!
Remember Daniel-San.....Even Wind change direction sometimes !!
jim at 10:34AM on Nov 6th 2009
why do they keep on remaking the remake of the remake once youve made the movie show the darn movie and be done with it why do they keep on remaking the remakes cant they come up with any thing better
Joe at 12:40PM on Nov 6th 2009
I am sure it will be so politically correct that it will little to do with martial arts what so ever.
Jen at 10:31AM on Nov 6th 2009
It cannot be named Karate Kid if it is set in China. Kara-te is a Japanese Art. Yes from Chinese kenpo but Okinawan by origination. Jackie Chan? I love him but, not for this role.
John F.C. Taylor at 10:34AM on Nov 6th 2009
It's been my experience that remakes and sequels almost never measure up to the original. From the way this article describes the new Karate Kid, I have little doubt that this one will have any more success than most other remakes and sequels. Pity.
Realgolfer at 10:41AM on Nov 6th 2009
They just want to black everything up these days.
I'm gonna do a remake of Oliver Stone's
"the doors", starring DMX as Jim Morrisson.
Only I'm changing Jim's name to Tyrelle.
Awesome.
James at 10:45AM on Nov 6th 2009
First off, Will Smith is the Top Blockbuster Star as of now! 2nd. The film I am legend was a remake of Vincent Price "The Last Man on Earth". It did 70million the opeing weekend. The studio predictec 50million. The wild west was just a stupid film. We as people should research more before we just say inaccurate statements like that.
Jez at 2:17PM on Nov 8th 2009
Sounds like another lame attempt by Hollywood to prove they are practically incapable of any new ideas. I like Chan, but you can't have the Karate Kid without Morita. Also, by changing the setting and the characters so drastically sounds nothing like a remake... more like "lets take an already basic plot and reimagine it... essentially making a totally unrelated, generic film".
*sigh*
singrapwrite at 11:12AM on Nov 6th 2009
Personally, I don't care about what race the actors are, how much experience they have or don't have, because that never determines the value of the movie anyway. Plenty of inexperienced actors from different races have made phenomenal movies. My issue here is that some movies just don't need to be remade, because it forever tarnishes the legacy of the original. People will always connect a classic movie to it's remake and judge them collectively instead of individually. I want to see how Jaden Smith develops as an actor, but I DON'T want to see a remake of this movie...
Drew at 10:58AM on Nov 6th 2009
I have no problem with the Karate Kid being black, the problem i have is that he is too young. There is a difference between an 11 year old boy being being bullied and 15 or 16 year old being bullied.
Oh and to the person who said Chuck Norris should play the sensei, PUHLEEEEESE you were right when you said Walker Texas Ranger spoke for itself, it showed that his karate only works against an enemy who is standing still. LOL
jerry at 10:58AM on Nov 6th 2009
Hey Ralph.. You might not remember me but we went to school together at Half Hallow Hills. Remember Mrs. Stabiles class. Havent seen you since even though we both bought houses in the same town of e. islip after we moved from Dix Hills. When you made Crossroads, my cousin Steve Vai played the guitar wizard. Small World. Anyway, the remake won't do the original justice. People should leave classic movies alone. Whats wrong, nobody has any fresh idea?
beachluvrnva54 at 11:15AM on Nov 6th 2009
As a blk belt and a Sensei( which means teacher n japanese) I would like 2 add my thoughts. I was the kid that got bullied so I can relate very well with the movie.I personaly think that a remake of this movie is wrong,why take something that is not broken and break it and far as Wills son,it was just a matter of time that blks got n on Karate( which means empty hand).I'm not racist but i don't have any blk students n my Dojo(practice hall)and have only seen a hand full from others.I'm sure I'm go-n 2 get a lot of slack 4 this but 1 thing i have learned from my years of Karate,Bushido ( Way of the Resectable Warrior),n other words don't disrespect the art.
Chubby at 11:19AM on Nov 6th 2009
Bad idea!!! Setting in China with a black family, ------ Please!!! They can't name it Karate Kid,and expect it to be better. The kid doesn't have any legs and the 2 films he was in that his dad launched for him, showed he was not anything special. Will Smith is good, the boy AIN'T. Sorry, it will be a flopp and go to video pronto. IMHO
chodan75 at 11:24AM on Nov 6th 2009
Saw this movie in the theaters when I was 9 years old, and I'm gonna sound really old and crotchety when I say it but, to the Hollywood execs and all the OTHER 9 year olds out there...Get your own movies to remember and leave mine alone!
In all seriousness...enough with the remakes, prequels and sequels...Hollywood, get some new ideas please!
ProWriter at 9:09AM on Nov 23rd 2009
Remakes, ugh! What, there's not enough new material out there to take a chance on? Studios just cheat the public and bet on "sure things." As a writer, I make it policy not to pay money for remakes. It undercuts my profession and adds nothing to the medium. You want quality? Watch the original "3:10 to Yuma" or "The Longest Yard." Sorry, but employing Adam Sandler does not a good movie make, in and of itself. Nothing against Mr. Sandler. "50 First Dates" was good.
Keith at 11:29AM on Nov 6th 2009
Again we see Hollywood producers taking the lazy way out. Instead of original content it is far easier to do a remake of someone elses work. This is just lazy and pathetic.
ME at 2:55PM on Nov 6th 2009
What a load of CRAP. This movie dosen't need a remake. It's a classic leave it alone. Great now we'll have to hear about his kid all the time now oh he did this he did that. Who cares. Thanks to obama i'm sure. It seems that Hollyweird has ran out of ideas for movies
joe at 11:43AM on Nov 6th 2009
As I study Tai Chi and get deeper into it I have come to have a new appreciation of the karate kid movies because of pat morite's infusion of the real use of Tai Chi and the min bosy spirit combination which must take place before you can use it properly the depiction of cobra ki karate is a comment on how this country pursues ths aquiring of skills but refuses to learn the complete form only the mechanics of movement which is only the body and are not concerned about mind and spirit as Bruce Lee would say concentrate your mind and be like water
joe
Fedup at 11:55AM on Nov 6th 2009
why is this even being called a remake? it should be called a rip-off... it isn't even the same story... it is similar, but it is not the same... not even the names of the characters are the same... this is more like a lame attempt to come out with a movie for will smith's son to make his starring debut (he may have appeared in other movies - with his dad as the star - but he has not had the leading role yet) while taking a concept that worked for the audiences back in the 80's but making it appeal to the youth of today... such crap! thank goodness i am not a kid in this day and age - and hopefully when i have kids in the age group this movie is being marketed for, the entertainment industry will have wisened up and started making good movies (and music for that matter) again... i actually feel bad for this kid - he is killing his career before it even has a chance to being... way to go!