KARATE KID remake confirmed with Will Smith's son!

By Matt Holmes / June 25, 2011

Originally reported as a "reliable rumor" back in September 2007 and now confirmed today by Variety, Will Smith's 10 year old son Jaden Smith will lead a new reboot of the KARATE KID franchise at Columbia Pictures. A guy named Chris Murphy (there's lots of Chris Murphy's on IMDB... none of them writers) is scribing, with a view for the film to begin shooting next year in Beijing. The movie will "borrow" elements from the original ROCKY meets martial arts "underdog against the world" plot where a bullied youth stands up for himself with the help of an eccentric mentor (memorably played by Pat Morita in the original franchise who also nabbed a Best Supporting Oscar nom). Jerry Weintaub, the producer who greenlit the franchise back in 1984 is spearheading the project alongside Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment.

Ralph Macchio was in his early 20's when the original movie was made and last year I wondered whether Columbia would sit on the film until Jaden was in his late teen's but with shooting next year, they are going for a young KARATE KID. And unless this kid has grown significantly since THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, I don't hold much hope for him working here.