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Jaden Smith Will Become the New The Karate Kid

by Alex Billington
November 11, 2008

We all knew this was coming one day. Columbia Pictures will remake The Karate Kid next year with Will Smith's 10-year-old son Jaden Smith starring in the lead role. Veteran producer Jerry Weintraub (who actually produced the original Karate Kids films) is developing the project with a script written by Chris Murphy. The story will be updated and refashioned to fit Jaden, including being relocated to Beijing, and will borrow elements of the original plot, wherein a bullied kid learns to stand up for himself with the help of an eccentric mentor. What a week - first Will Smith announces a remake of Chan-wook Park's Oldboy, now his son is remaking The Karate Kid. I think Hollywood really has ran out of original ideas!

The Karate Kid really needs no introduction. All I need to mention is Mr. Miyagi and everyone knows everything about it. As cheesy as it was, it's a timeless classic, and I'm not afraid to defend that statement. But remaking it?! Are they out of their mind? In the end this is going to have nothing to do with the original film, besides the very broad concept and probably the title, but that's Hollywood for you - it's a safer bet to use a name people are familiar with than start from scratch. Columbia presidents Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach have "been trying to find a way to bring back the series" and apparently this it. I don't know about everyone else, but for once I'm genuinely opposed to this remake. What about you?

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

Andrew K.

It peaks my curiosity, but people shouldn't be too worried, because if the original is truly good, a remake shouldn't do anything to shake that. you can always pop your dvd of the original karate kid back in.
Richard

This is pure retard at its finest, who in their right minds would green-light this? First off Mr. Miyagi/Pat Moriat passed away which is already very sad and depressing but he was proud of the work he did and the mark he put on this movie/franchise/sport and he should be, he was in tears in collectors edition behind the scences and even I was chocked up seeing him talk about his story and his portrayal of Mr Miyagi and what it meant to him. If you ask me this is dishonoring his work. Fuck this idea is really the only thing I can really say to express the way I feel about this news.
The Rambler

I will sweep Will Smith's leg then crane kick him! The only way I will accept this film is if it has Daniel Russo in it, Hillary Swank in it and they train kids at the YMCA and lil Jaden is a poor lil kid who need guidance! But you do not remake a film like this! I put a voodoo curse on this remake, may it star Corky from Life Goes On! Ah Christ....I'm ramblin.........................oooohhhhh look cake!
Dar-El

Rambler thats not a bad idea you know, now id buy that for a dollar, but i wont watch this farce or even be interested in hearing anymore about it. **FARCE FARCE FARCE FARCE FARCE FARCE FARCE FARCE FARCE FARCE FARCE FARCE FARCE** Ohhhhhhh look Beer!!!!
http://www.flickr.com/uneak bret

so at best he will be 11 or 12 when this films? The guy who played in the original was around 20 years old, playing a high schooler at best. How the hell is a 11 year old going to work? This sounds dumb.
http://discoverysound.blogspot.com stephen

This I will probably watch just for more laughs. The Karate Kidd 1 and 2 were good. 3 was bordering the line, and 4 was a complete disaster. I think the franchise should save what name it has left. Its going to be made anyway though. Hope they give it a completely different title.
dan

oh, lord........NOT ANOTHER KARATE KID MOVIE! someone needs to stop this, please!!!!!
http://film-book.com Film-Book dot Com

In Valen's name. You have got to be kidding. Hollywood is REALLY digging deep in the remake bucket these days.
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4120/sppunx06oa5.jpg Crapola

Karate is a JAPANESE martial art, why the fizuck is it in China? Do the people who come up with this crap sit about getting drunk all day and when someone comes into ask just Google "1980's films not yet re-made" and then choose the first film that comes up. When's the Goonies remake? Ferris Buellers? Breakfast Club? No Retreat No Surrender? And if your reading this drunk Hollywood writer, that's a joke, not an idea pool. Did these idiots actually get a payrise after going on strike? They didn't deserve it that's for sure, they should get a paycut or another job.
THERBLIG

Karate actually came from chinese Kenpo so technically china would be a cool start. But this whole idea is completely horrible. What is this going to be a comedy? i dont want to see some 11 year old kid getting his lunch money taken and now we have to see him learn to fight. Didnt we see this in one of the rocky's, Complete bullshit!!!!
006-Alec

NOOOOOOOOO
K

Now that is just silly! Agreed... hollywood needs to start using those creative minds and come up with new some original ideas. They're just redoing great older movies and they usually aren't as good as the original. Why I ask you Why??? Gotta get all those tweens into the seats and make some coin. That's all is boils down to. Friggin big business. Well... at least we'll have something new, fresh and simply amazing coming in March. That be Watchment for anyone would didn't figure that out. Later!
TBFL

Please no....
http://www.theaterhopper.com Tom Brazelton

With any luck, this will kill Jaden Smith's career before it gets off the ground. That annoying little moppet mugs more for the camera than his Dad does.
http://twitter.com/tonyrockyhorror TonyRockyHorror

Wouldn't this have to be called The Kung-Fu Kid, if it's set in Beijing?
Peloquin

They should only remake films that can be enhanced by an upgrade in technology... There is going to be nothing new to gain from this remake...
Blue Silver

Hell NO! With Will Smith's kid??? Is Hollywood now retro fitting every major vehicle/remake with a black star??? First, it was Beyonce wanting to be Wonder Woman now this??What's next a black Road Warrior or black Terminator?? What the hell?? Does anyone remember the cringe worthy 'Wild wild west'? I'm not racist but that is not right! It's like having a white person in drag doing a revamp of 'Madea's Family Reunion'!!! It just doesn't gel. Or is Hollywood afraid of them crying racism if they don't get the parts??? For one I never hear Hispanics cry racism, especially while having Jack Black play a Mexican in 'Nacho Libre'!
http://www.entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com

Set in Beijing! What is that about. THe Karate Kid is a classic. A remake is NOT needed! Plus the kid is 10. Who will this appeal to? Chuck
Alfredo

crap. crap crap Why not make it a sequel instead of a remake? What's to be remade.. really?
dacfan

ARNOLD FROM HAPPY DAYS IS DEAD!!! This movie will never work.
http://www.webomatica.com/wordpress/ Webomatica

No Pat Morita, No Mr. Miyagi, this film should not be made.
The Rambler

They got it wrong...this is a sequel to Beverly Hills Ninja!
michael

iot's always interesting to see what the new generation of kids will think...will this modernized version be a classic in the eyes of today's youth? looking back at some older movies i do crave the digital, special effects, etc of today's times. Though i have not really been impressed with many remakes, im sure i will sit down and watch this at least once. but truthfully....Hollywood must be running dry in the idea well. come one....is every write over years of age only able to remake their childhood films and cartoons? Well, come one people....let's start writing movies that are not remakes....we are bound to sell one to hollywood.
Richard

I'd rather see a reboot of "electric ninja" anyone remember that?
http://rhptkfgs.blogspot.com ramezh

loooooooooooooooool
harrison

dont fix somethin that aint broke if they want to make another sequel, thats fine but dont remake it
janet

To me it sounds like it's going to be a kids movie like a young kids movie. Jaden is too young for the part in my opinion. We'll see how it goes I guess but I don't have I hopes for this.
http://www.pbase.com/medesigns Malcolm Edgecombe

Does anyone that visits this site like any idea? I'm glad Hollywood could care less about or opinions or nothing would ever get made.
SlashBeast

I can see it now, "Wax-Off this Summer!!!"
Chubby O'Toole

I would totally kick his ass
gooner_nm

Who's going to play the guy that says "Get-um a body bag!"
theori

sounds good...i just hope theuy do The Karate Kid some justice, all the latest remakes have sucked.
avoidz

Get this movie a body bag :p
darrin

dude we already got a remake. Never Back Down. To be honest that film was actually decent.
cornholio_by_the_sea

"I think Hollywood really has ran out of original ideas!"...DUH!! really Alex, what was your first clue????
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

Really?! Karate Kid? F**k me.
Rolando

I do agree with you. Bad Idea. I'd oppose too. Just because he can act and can be the next Macaulay dollar kid, it doesn't mean he is right for the part RIGHT NOW! I mean yes, TKK was about a boy dealing with his insecurities, but most of all it is a story about COMING OF AGE! be prepared to enter the adulthood! wuth kid Smith-Pinket is just exploting the disneyana kids market. I do remember back in those days my parents in their mid 30's being appalled by the original film. I'd doubt a Karate Kid film with a 10 YO actor will do that. BAd idea, Bad idea.
cornholio_by_the_sea

and by the way, WTF would a preteen black kid be doing in CHINA anyway???? saints preserve us...
Drake

i agree with darrin the only movie that should be made is a never back down sequel. the film was alright. but it did have the similar elements to karate kid.
Bishop8496

I was a kid when this came out. It was interesting & all at that time, but come on & I agree with #37, its a coming of age film, not a small boy dominating others. Plus it will beset in China, what the f@$&!!! TKK is just one of those film - the original cannot be remade - it will be awful in any other forms, just do another sequal, but not a reboot - jeez
OhNo

Black kids dont do organized fighting....they fight on the streets...they fight dirty....they kick ya in the balls...OhNo!!!
smacky

LAME
Heckle

The Smith family is out to destroy the classics.... Next up...A Christmas Story starring the entire Smith Family followed by....National Lampoons Vacation....starring the Smith Family.
cornholio_by_the_sea

you hit the nail square on the head #43 Heckle...still laughing my ass off...sad but oh so true...
werdnafaz

I think it will be good but i love the originall.
Perurena

Worst idea ever. They could do the same thing, but leaving the title out of this. Maybe they have lots of great ideas for plot, they just don't have any for new titles.
ruga

I can't judge this remake unitl I c the trailer everyone has something negative and personal to say like the movies budget is coming out of ur pockets! Let em make whatever they want, if it sucks it'll b a cool dvd for my daughter, if its good let it rock! And I think jayden is a very strong actor for his age, he was very good in persuit and verygood in the day the earth stood still despite the overall movie. I think he's earning and deserving of all the parts he obtain thus far regardless of his parents. U can't get adult actors to do some of the stuff he's done so cut him some slack.
Jo

Jaden Smith is who they picked to play Daniel???????????? Guess he got the part b/c his dad is Will Smith..Remaking this great 80's classic is bad enough, but ot pick this little twarp is even worse!!
the man

what the fuck does this kid know about martial arts, does he have any experience? the movie isnt gonna be so good, he's 10 years old the fights are gonna be shit, if anything I SHOULD BE THE NEW KARATE KID