Remake? What Remake? Jackie Chan's "Karate Kid" Renamed "Kung Fu Kid" Wow, Original! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-31-2009, 12:13 AM

Last year it was announced that Columbia Pictures was remaking the 1984 classic Karate Kid with Jaden Smith set to star. In January, we announced that Jackie Chan had been cast as the lovable Mr. Miyagi, stepping in for Pat Morita. As far as I know, not a single person was excited by any of this news, but of course Sony is pushing forward with the production in hopes of convincing audiences later with marketing. Well, a good friends of ours dropped by with a tip recently letting us know that in a recent interview with Jackie Chan, he let slip that this remake is actually going to be called Kung Fu Kid, not Karate Kid.

"They don't want to call it Karate Kid any more," Chan said. "They want to call it The Kung Fu Kid." He quickly changed topics and unfortunately didn't add any more about as to why this change was being made. Our guess is that since this remake is a Chinese co-production and being shot in Beijing, it's much more relevant today to use kung fu as opposed to karate (which isn't as popular as it was back in the 80's) and also more appropriate considering karate actually has its historical roots in kung fu. As in, story updates and Chinese influence caused them to change the title to be more culturally relevant and accurate.

If you're actually big Jackie Chan fan, a great interview can be seen over on 3news.co.nz. He talks about how he's trying to change his image and become more of an "actor who can fight" not a "fighter who can act." It's actually a really heartfelt interview and it reminds me why I love him so much. Hopefully this news about the title actually sheds some positive light on the production, although I doubt it will.

http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/03/...d-kung-fu-kid/

JamesG · 03-31-2009, 12:16 AM

I agree with this change. Karate is Japanese and kung fu is Chinese.
The movie is set in China so this makes perfect sense.

comedyfreak · 03-31-2009, 08:49 AM

Another good idea is it's getting away from The Karate Kid. I still think the movie is going to bomb, you just can't match the chemistry between Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio.

Jude The Obscure · 03-31-2009, 10:00 PM

Somewhere......David Carradine is having a major cornonary.....

Marvo301 · 03-31-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Somewhere......David Carradine is having a major cornonary.....

Jude The Obscure · 03-31-2009, 10:26 PM

Thanks!!

Marvo301 · 03-31-2009, 10:31 PM

You're welcome!

Jude The Obscure · 03-31-2009, 10:47 PM

Funny, Monika hasn't responded yet.......*counting down the seconds til she arrives with her Brent smiley*

Marvo301 · 03-31-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Funny, Monika hasn't responded yet.......*counting down the seconds til she arrives with her Brent smiley*

Good things come to those who wait Grasshopper!

catlover79 · 06-19-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Good things come to those who wait Grasshopper!

Better late than never!!

Jude The Obscure · 06-19-2009, 11:40 PM

Also......i had NO idea David would be leaving us not too long after that post

catlover79 · 06-19-2009, 11:46 PM

I know...eerie, isn't it??

03-31-2009, 12:13 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Remake? What Remake? Jackie Chan's "Karate Kid" Renamed "Kung Fu Kid" Wow, Original! Last year it was announced that Columbia Pictures was remaking the 1984 classic Karate Kid with Jaden Smith set to star. In January, we announced that Jackie Chan had been cast as the lovable Mr. Miyagi, stepping in for Pat Morita. As far as I know, not a single person was excited by any of this news, but of course Sony is pushing forward with the production in hopes of convincing audiences later with marketing. Well, a good friends of ours dropped by with a tip recently letting us know that in a recent interview with Jackie Chan, he let slip that this remake is actually going to be called Kung Fu Kid, not Karate Kid. "They don't want to call it Karate Kid any more," Chan said. "They want to call it The Kung Fu Kid." He quickly changed topics and unfortunately didn't add any more about as to why this change was being made. Our guess is that since this remake is a Chinese co-production and being shot in Beijing, it's much more relevant today to use kung fu as opposed to karate (which isn't as popular as it was back in the 80's) and also more appropriate considering karate actually has its historical roots in kung fu. As in, story updates and Chinese influence caused them to change the title to be more culturally relevant and accurate. If you're actually big Jackie Chan fan, a great interview can be seen over on 3news.co.nz. He talks about how he's trying to change his image and become more of an "actor who can fight" not a "fighter who can act." It's actually a really heartfelt interview and it reminds me why I love him so much. Hopefully this news about the title actually sheds some positive light on the production, although I doubt it will. http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/03/...d-kung-fu-kid/
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-31-2009, 08:49 AM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	Another good idea is it's getting away from The Karate Kid. I still think the movie is going to bomb, you just can't match the chemistry between Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

03-31-2009, 12:16 AM	#2
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	I agree with this change. Karate is Japanese and kung fu is Chinese. The movie is set in China so this makes perfect sense.

03-31-2009, 10:00 PM	#4
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Somewhere......David Carradine is having a major cornonary.....

03-31-2009, 10:26 PM	#6
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Thanks!!

03-31-2009, 10:31 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	You're welcome!

03-31-2009, 10:47 PM	#8
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Funny, Monika hasn't responded yet.......counting down the seconds til she arrives with her Brent smiley

06-19-2009, 11:40 PM	#11
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Also......i had NO idea David would be leaving us not too long after that post

06-19-2009, 11:46 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I know...eerie, isn't it??