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.
