The Karate Kid Remake Gets Underway in Beijing

The Associated Press reports that Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith began principal photography for Kung Fu Kid this weekend in Beijing. The remake of The Karate Kid, a co-production between the state-run China Film Group and Columbia Pictures, started shooting Saturday.

Chan will play the wise kung-fu master, a role originated by Pat Morita, while Smith is Chan’s young disciple. The role was played by Ralph Macchio in the 1984 film and two sequels.

Kung Fu Kid, co-starring Taraji P. Henson, is being directed by Harald Zwart (The Pink Panther 2) for a June 11, 2010 release. Shooting will last three months and the film will be set in modern-day Beijing.

Chan and Smith, along with Smith’s parents Will Smith, who is producing, and Jada Pinkett Smith and sister Willow, attended a traditional Chinese ceremony to mark the start of the shoot Saturday.

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