Jan 16 2009
New Karate Kid Movie
The final negotiations are taking place for a remake of The Karate Kid. Columbia Pictures is set to produce the film staring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. The original Karate Kid captured the world’s attention in 1984. It will be interesting to see how this new film does. Does the public want or need another telling of the story? Who knows how much of the original story will even play a part in the new film.
The Next Karate Kid (1994) did little at the box office. Even with the spin of making the Karate Kid a girl (played by Hillary Swank). Capturing the simplicity and magic of the first movie will be a challenge for this new undertaking.
Jaden Smith is a great actor. But is he too young to be playing this role? Does the audience want to see a 10 year old boy being bullied? How old will the bullies be? Do we want to see 9 or 10 year olds beating each other up? Do we want to see 16 and 17 year olds beating up a 10 year old? This will be a fine balance for the film makers to find.
The audience will decide if this next Karate Kid will “Wax on” or “Wax off.”
