Jan 14 2009Jackie Chan to Train Jaden Smith to Sand Floors, Paint Fences, Etc.
Big update in regards to how ten-year-old Jaden Smith (Will Smith's son that we're being force-fed as an actor) plans to defend himself against bullies by learning karate: Jackie Chan will teach him karate. From Entertainment Weekly:
Jaden Smith has found himself a mentor. Jackie Chan will take on Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi role in Sony Pictures' remake of The Karate Kid. The movie stars 10-year old Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness), who is the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, and will be directed by Harold Zwart (The Pink Panther 2). Will's production company, Overbrook, will produce, and Jada has been rumored for the role of Jaden's mother in the film.
This was probably the easiest casting prediction ever, but since I'm never right about anything, let me just note that in November I said:
Let's start the speculation on who will play the "eccentric mentor." The Chinese setting makes Jackie Chan an early prospect, but I could just as easily see Steve Carell or Samuel L. Jackson letting the kid out of the duffel bag to attack.
But wow, adding the director of Agent Cody Banks and wife of Will Smith? I didn't see that coming. If Smith wants to make it a double-awful with double-nepotism, let's just go for the triple--bring in the screenwriter who did Most Valuable Primate and cast some long-estranged uncle of Will Smith (or Mike Myers playing a long-estranged uncle of Will Smith). Or could we use CGI to bring back some deceased relatives of Will Smith who he'd like to see one last time, dead-eyed in the audience of a martial arts tournament? It doesn't even matter anymore.
The scene where Jackie Chan lets Jaden Smith out of a duffel bag to attack will probably be pretty solid though.
Reader Comments
1. Heavy Jack - January 14, 2009 10:23 AM
Now they've ruined it. I thought the idea of remaking a classic was bad enough.
Jackie Chan? Are you serious? For god's sake, man; please let it go.
AND he's not even japanese. It could have easily been Ken Watanabe or some old Japanese fuck. But even then, it still wouldn't save itself from its salvage.
Fuck Will Smith and the fucking director.
2. Spam Artist - January 14, 2009 10:23 AM
Great. Another remake with no respect to the original film.
3. Sithlord - January 14, 2009 10:41 AM
I'm telling you, the world's coming to an end. Next thing you know they'll remake Home Alone starring, you guess it, Jaden Smith.
Will Smith is planning to take over Hollywood w/ his army of family members.
4. Mr.Anderson - January 14, 2009 11:01 AM
@1
Karate stemmed from pangai noon, which was a bevy of Chinese styles to begin with so you know, they can take the liberty to set it in China.
HOWEVER!! Casting fucktards like Will Smith's son is just disgusting. Movies are supposed to be unique. I don't want to see the same character playing everything.
I want some fresh faces. Also that kid strikes me as a snobby douche anyways. I don't know what it is about him, perhaps the way he answers questions or something.
Oh, one final thing, I don't mind Jackie Chan taking over Miyagi. He's earned it.
5. slayer - January 14, 2009 11:03 AM
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT THIS MOVIE HAS ALREADY BEEN REMADE EXCEPT THEY CHANGED THE NAME TO "NEVER BACK DOWN:.
6. markonius maximus - January 14, 2009 11:19 AM
All of you are 100% correct on this "re-make"
It is trash
Will Smith is one of the most overrated actors in the business.
May as well call it... "The Fresh Prince of Karate"
Jesus.
7. Daisy Wanna Be - January 14, 2009 11:45 AM
Hmmm hard to decide...
SUCK or FLOP !??!?
8. Elmo - January 14, 2009 12:10 PM
Poor kid, they should have waited on letting him be a huge star.. which he will be by the time he's 14, 15. Hope he doesn't turn into a drug addict story on E!
9. sully - January 14, 2009 12:25 PM
I wish they got James Hong to play Miyagi.... That guy's awesome... even if he is 25 years older than the original Mijagi guy was when the movie came out
10. Gene - January 14, 2009 1:43 PM
Bobby Lee FTW!
11. Hal - January 14, 2009 3:19 PM
JAMES HONG! JAMES HONG! JAMES HONG!
12. Dragon - January 14, 2009 4:09 PM
Hollywood has no more originality. It's just like rap musicians who "sample" other people's melodies/songs and add spoken-word on top of it. 0 originality!
13. DrNecropolis - January 14, 2009 5:19 PM
@6- If they called the movie that i would be psyched to see it!
@ 10- Good call, now you're cooking with gasoline! Bobby Lee should play all the roles in the film, like eddie murphy... but actually funny
14. Ricardo - January 14, 2009 11:33 PM
Yes!!!!! I can't wait for the 'Three Ninjas' remake.
15. Mr. Jones - January 16, 2009 8:18 AM
This isn't the first time they're trying to pass off Chan as being "japanese". Remember Cannonball Run (yes, this was a million years ago). And what makes it even more stupid is that Chan spoke Cantonese (not Japanese) in the film.
I guess we honkies are way too stupid to make these distinctions. Thanks, Hollywood.