Will Smith's young son Jaden has landed the lead role in an upcoming remake of The Karate Kid, according to reports.

Jaden, 10, is Smith's eldest son with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith and previously acted alongside his father in 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness.

And now the youngster looks set to start forging his own acting career with a role in a new version of the hit 1984 film - playing the part made famous by Ralph Macchio, according to Variety.com.

Oscar-winner Hilary Swank took over the main role in The Next Karate Kid in 1994.

The new film, which will see Smith take on a co-producer role, will be relocated to Beijing, China, but will explore the same themes as the original three pictures, with a bullied youth learning to stand up for himself with the help of a wise martial arts expert mentor.


*source IMDB.com

he was cute and gave a good performance in The Pursuit Of Happyness, but he's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too young for The Karate Kid. Granted, I understand they don't want another 35 year old playing 16 like Ralph Macchio (ok, I exaggerate a little) but 10 is too young for the part IMO. And with Pat Morita dead, there's no way they can revive this franchise.

^ I agree with MusicJunkie..Pat Morita, the center-piece to the series of movies dead & the son playing the part being too young. Still, Congrats to Will & his son Jaden.

maybe they should bring Macchio in as the Mr. Miyagi type. At least with Mr. Daniel-san, there's enough ties to the original franchise to get old fans to watch as well

maybe they should bring Macchio in as the Mr. Miyagi type. At least with Mr. Daniel-san, there's enough ties to the original franchise to get old fans to watch as well

Nah, I think they should go with an Asian martial arts master; keep it traditional ya know. Maybe Ralph could appear in it, maybe still as a practicing student or something, but not necessarily as the mentor.

I'm a bit skeptical about this one to be honest. First of all this is "Karate Kid" why go to China? Karate is Okinawan art (Japanese). Maybe I'm looking too much into it but get the basics right people.

There will never be another Pat Morita! Why??? He and Ralph had the perfect on screen chemistry, what's next a Back To The Future Remake. :mad:

Coicidentally, Pat Morita starred in another show/movie with a Ralph in it, Donny Most in Happy Days.

I think these movie producers need to come up with new ideas instead of recycling what's already been done. Recycling is good, but only for paper, plastic, etc...

There will never be another Pat Morita! Why??? He and Ralph had the perfect on screen chemistry, what's next a Back To The Future Remake. :mad:

there were rumours last year of a fourth back to the future movie being made, but i too don't want to see it, seeing as michael j fox won't be in it as he has parkinsons and the other actors are getting on a bit. they are in their late 40s onwards.

I hope it's only a rumor, lol.

I hope it's only a rumor, lol.

:lol: i think so too

Enough already with the remakes!