Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

Jaden Smith set for 'Karate Kid' redo - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

They neglect to mention that Will Smith is producing and directing the flick. Jaden must have really nailed the audition.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

It does say that Will Smith is producing. It also says that it's being "refashioned as a star vehicle for Jaden Smith."

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

This has been a long time coming, although there's still no news on who'd be playing the Miyagi character. I'd heard that Smith wanted Stephen Chow, but I think his plate might be full with Green Hornet and the Kung Fu Hustle sequel.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

Too young. The kid is 10. At the time of filming he'll be, what.. 11? And it's OK for a remake, it's not like Ralph Macchio was the greatest actor of all time.

But come on, at 11 this thing could quickly spiral into being really ridiculous.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

I liked Jaden in The Pursuit Of Happyness, but I agree - he's too young for this remake.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

For fans of the original....
SWEEPTHELEG.COM

Stars and directed by William Zabka (Johnny) and has cameos by a bunch of the cast.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

Because no pre-teen has ever moved to a new town and been harassed by bullies.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

A recent poster on Ain'tItCool put it best, with regards to this remake:
"No 80s Elizabeth Shue = No Sale."

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

That's true. But somehow, I find it less interesting watching 5th graders beat each other up.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

Well it does make sense for Will Smith to do this. His music rips off older songs. So now that he is an actor. He should rip off older movies.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

Heres a thought, wait till he turns at least 16 , then make the movie.They should have William Zabka, play the karate dojo owner this time around !!!!

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

They should Ralph Macchio help in the mentor role with Ali and Kumiko showing up, lol.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

This type of news used to get me all worked up, but now I figure, let 'em remake it. I'll have my memories and my DVDs, and no one can make me watch this. Besides, it can't be any worse than Next KK.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

Horrible, horrendous, stupendously and awe-inspiringly bad idea!

Who is Will going to get to play Mr. Miagi, his cousin?

I love Will Smith but pass lol.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

I can't stand Will Smith and this sounds like a horrendous idea. I think it's really sad that Will is intent on forcing his spawn on the public, and yeah, this kids way to young for this type of movie.

More money for me to save at the theater though! Thanks hollywood!

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

Why is he so young? Because they aren't making a direct remake?

This is what I don't understand about people who don't like remakes. Do you want them to follow the original story 100%? If not, then the original was aimed at teenagers while this one here will be aimed at children. If this is going to be aimed at children then I doubt Smith is going to have his skull crashed to bloody bits like the original film. He'll probably just be a new kid at school who is getting picked up and then he learns karate to become "cool" or what not.

The original film is one of my favorites so I'm glad they're not trying to make a copycat remake and instead try something new. Heck, this film was already remade with THE NEXT KARATE KID.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

Have you considered the very real possibility that this movie is not being made with fans of the original in mind, but for kids who weren't even born when it was made?

I'm only half-addressing Matt and only half-sarcastic here.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

If you want to make a new movie about a kid picked on by bullies as a star vehicle for your spawn, then make a new movie. the second you put "Karate Kid" in the title, your tying it to a franchise. Based on what your argument Michael, this is the equivalent of making a film about a guy trying to get George Clooneys autograph and calling it "Star Trek".

I typically don't care for remakes, 9/10 times the original is going to be better. This one sounds like it's going to fall in to that camp. Hell, you can smell trouble all ready with Will Smith producing and maybe directing his kid. Even if it wasn't a remake, it is a vanity picture which typically spells disastrous ego stroke movie. See John Travolta with "Battlefield Earth".

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

No it's called doing something new. Do you really want a scene for scene remake like PSYCHO or THE OMEN? Or would you rather it try something new like the other 99% of remakes out there? Of course they're going to tie it to another movie because of how much money these things make. Did you see how much PROM NIGHT made on its opening weekend? It was downright horrid but people lined up for it. Remaking THE KARATE KID with Will Smith's name tied to it would draw big crowds. Fans have to accept the facts that we're living in the past on these movies and the majority of moviegoers (ala teenagers) don't give a rats ass about some movie made 20+ years ago. They want some new and that's why they constantly throw down $20 to see it. You throw PROM NIGHT out there and it opens to some $30 million. You throw the original out there and it wouldn't make $30,000.

Just because you and I love this film just means that there are a few more million out there who don't care a lick about it. I don't do predictions on these things but this has blockbuster written all over it. Blockbuster is the key in Hollywood.

And before we get too off topic, THE KARATE KID was nothing more than Akira Kurosawa's SANSHIRO SUGATA made over with a touch of ROCKY. It was certainly far from being original. Since people are going to boycott this film then they could just go back and watch what influenced it so much.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

All I know is that Joe Esposito had BETTER be on board with this. "You're the Best Around" is clearly the greatest montage music ever to grace the silver screen.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

I never really got this whole notion of "Reimangined for a new generation of fans" idea, why not just show them the original?

Kids will watch pretty much anything and if they are young enough and not yet very critical chances are better that they will enjoy it.

Take Disney's classics for example, why did we never get animated remakes of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lady and the Tramp or Bambi?

Kids watch those older films and eat them up to this day, I never understood why they wouldn't enjoy live action classics like, say, The Karate Kid? It still has very accessible themes that are relevant today, school bullying, the strength of friendship etc.

I like to think of myself as being open to remakes but in my strong opinion this isn't one we need, I don't care for the idea and I certaintly don't care for the casting.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

I think the motivation is more "hey ... this franchise made a lot of money back in the day .... lets dress it up in modern clothing for a new theaterical release!".

If they want to bring it back, I think they should offer Ralph Macchio a role. Maybe not in the "Miyagi-sensei" role per se, but perhaps he could play a teacher or something.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

John, if a kid is brought up to watch "older" films then I think he/she would. If not then it's doubtful. I always defend younger people about classic movies but it really depends on the parents.

Plus, to me, movies aren't movies anymore. The studios are catering to people who get some cash from mom and dad on the weekends and they meet up with their friends at the movies. They want to watch something "current" and that's why these remakes do so well.

I don't understand what the problem is because fans of the original are going to get a new DVD and a new generation will at least hear about the original. Whether or not they go watch it is another thing but I'm sure these older versions have gained new fans from the remakes.

The original KARATE KIDS is never mentioned in the media. No one "young" could have heard about it unless a parent showed it to them. The original film, due to the remake, will get back into the media and this is the only way it could have happened.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

I very much agree with this. I remember walking out of Peter Jackson's King Kong and a little kid, jazzed from seeing the film, asked his parents if they could go rent the "old black & white one".

And let's no forget that without these re-imaginings, we wouldn't have gotten classics such as The Thing and The Fly which are both arguably even more famous than their originals. I know that 90% of the case they don't turn out that good. But every so often we get a decent one (ie. King Kong, Dawn of the Dead).

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

It's a bit hard to get too worked up or offended by this anyway. Karate Kid III and TNKK were really ... really ... bad. The Karate Kid was just pure pop entertainment, nothing more, nothing less, this new movie would really have to try to be worse than KKIII.

It was basically "Rocky for the younger set" chok full of 80s romance/pop soundtrack and the whole sorta strange 80s fetish for all things relating to Asian culture (see also: The Gremlins, Temple of Doom, etc.).

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

I disagree with this (at least I think I do since I can't tell from your post if your a fan of the film or not).

The original is a classic that stands as a testimate to friendship, first love and the need to prove one's self against great odds, even if it means getting your ass kicked.

Here's what I know, I have no children but if I did I would introduce my son or daughter to the original film in a hot minute since it meant so much to me growing up, if they watch it and don't care for it then fine but it won't be from lack of trying on my part.

IMO that's what classics are for, to pass along to other generations to enjoy just as you did, not just assume that they somehow won't be good enough or accessible enough to modern children.

It is a good thing that a remake will probably spark intrest in younger people to check out the original but I also feel that by seeing the remake first it will color their opinion of the original and that latter far outweighs the former.

I guess i'm just tired of this desire to negate classics and put expiration dates on them, by doing that it cheapens them and robs them of their purpose.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

A remake of THE KARATE KID. Oh, come on.

These unoriginal ideas get more dopey every day.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

Then call it something else. I realize the reason they'd make another "KARATE KID" is because of the marketing appeal in the title, but that's also a big part of what really pisses me off. I am so damned tired of having to add a year every time I discuss films.... like DAWN OF THE DEAD (original 1978 verison).... NO!! "DAWN OF THE DEAD" should be "DAWN OF THE DEAD", period ---

Yes, I realize that remakes in general are "nothing new".... but it's obvious that in recent years there has been a trend going on unlike never before in remaking movies that have no business being remade, and just cashing in on a title... and to movies that already hold up and are already modern enough. Remakes may have been done forever, but never before have people of all walks of life now picked up on it being so over-abundant and needless.


How about a whole brand new idea and theme ... period? I guess if there HAS to be a remake I'd prefer it to be different... but then, why even call it the original name (except to sponge off the original's reputation, I mean)?


Wait a minute, though. One moment you suggest that people (especially younger kids) don't even remember the originals, but here you are suggesting that it makes sense to remake PROM NIGHT because it's a popular film and people recognize it?

Also - I know we've had this before in our discussions - but people like to go to the movies, right? When they go to the movies, they have no choice but to see whatever is on the menu for them to buy a ticket for. So, in other words, if a PROM NIGHT remake and a KARATE KID remake and and OMEN remake are largely what is on the marquee for young folks, then that's pretty much the choices they have and what they'll pay to see. If the studios would make completely original films, then THOSE would be what people would see. You can't pay to see remakes if they're not on the bill. So it's not that people are "lining up for remakes", it's just that this is largely all there is out there to spend their money on at the local multiplex.


First -- so the movies should be dumbed down to cater to them, rather than the viewers learning to become sophisticated enough to appreciate older movies - even if the originals are only 10 - 15 years older in some cases?

Second -- if they want to see something "new" as you say, why not offer up completely new and fresh original ideas? You can't say "because the old titles bring in customers", when you admit that most of these youngsters probably haven't even heard of THE OMEN or PROM NIGHT!


I've never even seen THE KARATE KID But this response is due to my being fed up with modern remakes to popular films in general.

And just because new audiences are intolerant of older movies and only accept new remakes, that's no reason I should "care a lick" about needless modern remakes. It just sounds like you're wanting us to try and understand, to care, and to accept the reality. That isn't going to happen.... if they don't have to care a lick about old movies, I don't have to care a lick about needless modern remakes. Right?


Well, this is the route you always take. Sure we can say that virtually any film ever made has some influence of other things ... JAWS is MOBY DICK ... but that's arguing semantics, and we know that something like JAWS was still pretty darn original in 1975, despite its influences and origins.

Re: Karate Kid Remake? Starring Will Smith Jr!

Hey, I loved the film growing up, any kid growing up during the 80s knew the movie off by heart. I like the second Karate Kid a lot as well.

But to be honest it's not exactly a sacred cow. It was the butt end of jokes in movies like "There's Something About Mary". The Godfather it ain't, though I can appreciate your love for the movie.

There's nothing the prevents "pop entertainment" movies from having good themes and a solid storyline. Pop entertainment when well done ... there's nothing wrong with that. A cheeseburger isn't a steak, but sometimes you just want a good cheeseburger.

But again Karate Kid III and The Next Karate Kid already embarrassed the "franchise", I'm not sure why there's so much concern that this new movie would come along and sully that. What I don't think they can do is I don't they can "remake" the mix of pop culture nuances, romance, soundtrack, etc. the original had. I think Pat Morita obviously is irreplaceable. That movie does have timeless themes sure, but it's very much a product of the 80s (in a good way).

If anything though this "remake" would likely get kids to go back and watch the originals on DVD, especially if they do give Ralph Macchio some kind of role.