Will Smith’s son Jaden Smith is set for the remake of the classic 1984 movie “Karate Kid.” Read more about the latest developments in bringing the movie back to the big screen in the 21st century.
Jerry Weintraub produced the original Karate Kid trilogy and will produce the remake for Columbia Pictures along with Overbrook Entertainment’s James Lassiter, Will Smith and Ken Stovitz. Chris Murphy will write the screenplay and the movie will begin shooting next year in Beijing, China and other cities. China Film Group Corp. will co-produce the movie in China.
While the new film will be set in that exotic locale, it will borrow elements of the original plot, wherein a bullied youth learns to stand up for himself with the help of an eccentric mentor.
The news confirms rumors of the remake which date back a year ago, and were denied at the time.
The original 1984 “Karate Kid” was directed by John G. Avildsen, and starred Ralph Macchio in the title role and Pat Morita, Academy Award nomination for his portrayal as his mentor. The movie became a pop culture phenomena, spawning two sequels, a short-lived animated TV series, and a franchise of action figures, video games, head bands, posters, T-shirts and memorabilia.
Jaden Smith, who turned 10 years old in July 2008, made a memorable screen debut in the 2006 movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” playing the son of real-life father Will Smith (who also produced the movie) and Thandie Newton, based on the best-selling memoir of the same name written by Chris Gardner with Quincy Troupe. He has a role as as 8-year-old Jacob in the upcoming “The Day the Earth Stood Still” which stars Kenau Reeves in a remake of Robert Wise’s 1951 sci fi classic.
Will Smith has three children who frequently accompany his wife Jada Pinkett Smith on the red carpet. His son Trey is from his first marriage, son Jaden and daughter Willow from his current wife. All of the children have begun their acting careers. Eight-year old Willow made her screen debut alongside her father in “I Am Legend” and most recently appeared in “Kit Kittredge” Sixteen-year-old Trey had a guest role in the TV series “All of Us” and has served as a special correspondent for Access Hollywood.
More photos and a video of Jaden Smith are below.
Photos: www.wenn.com