This week has seen some interesting news from Universal, the most recent of which is about a new Kung Fu reboot.
Universal Pictures and 87North will remake the classic ABC series, which starred David Carradine as a master martial artist who flees China and travels to the Old West after his master is murdered.
The show aired for three seasons, from 1972 to 1975, and won three Emmys. Donnie Yen (Ip Man, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, John Wick: Chapter 4) is set to direct the new project, which will be a feature film rather than a sequel.
Deadline reports that Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, and Guy Danella will produce. Leitch, who has directed Deadpool and Atomic Blonde, is currently considering the role. Stephen Chin (War Dogs) wrote the screenplay.
Stephen L’Hereaux will also produce the film, with Ed Spielman, the original Kung Fu series creator, serving as executive producer.
“Donnie Yen is an incredibly talented actor and an action film legend, and it is an honor to have a true martial arts master leading this global film,” Leitch said in a statement. “With Donnie as our leading man, it will be exciting to collaborate with him, our creative partners, and Universal to reimagine this beloved story for the big screen.”
Donnie Yen will star in ‘KUNG FU’, a film adaption of the classic TV series.
87North will produce with David Leitch eyeing to direct.
(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com/Hwb8C1Li3A
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 31, 2024Carradine’s character in Kung Fu was named Caine, the same name as Yen’s John Wick character. John Wick: Chapter 4 ends with a post-credit scene in which Akira (Rina Sawayama) begins her quest to exact revenge on Caine for murdering her father. Last year, Yen said he would “love to do a John Wick spinoff centered around Caine.”
There is no word yet on whether Yen’s character will get his film in the John Wick universe, but there are plenty of other projects to look forward to from that world.
Lionsgate’s upcoming women-led spinoff, Ballerina, is expected to feature Keanu Reeves. More spinoffs are in the works, and there are rumors of a fifth installment starring Reeves.
“We are not ready to say goodbye to Keanu in this franchise,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Drake recently told Deadline. “That is what the alternative will be.”
At the time, the series sparked outrage for casting white actor Carradine as a biracial character, as well as the later revelation that the series’ idea may have been stolen from Bruce Lee.
The series became a cult favorite and contributed to the popularity of martial arts in America. Carradine would reprise the role in several television films, as well as a modern-day sequel series, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, in which he played Caine’s grandson.
The CW reimagined the series in 2021; the new series, set in the modern day, starred Olivia Liang as Nicky Chen, who used her martial arts skills against San Francisco’s triads. It was canceled last year after three seasons.
Stephen Chin, who previously wrote War Dogs, will write Kung Fu. Kelly McCormick, Leitch, and Guy Danella will produce the film through 87North, with Stephen L’Hereaux also producing.
The original TV series creator, Ed Spielman, will serve as an executive producer. The release date for the Kung Fu film, which will now star Donnie Yen, has not yet been set.
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