Unlike many other people in the world, I was not the biggest fan of The Karate Kid. Sure, I liked it, but in the 25 years it has been out, I have maybe seen it twice. Just wasn't my kind of film. However, I do realize what made it popular, and teenagers fighting each other and a realistic love story were a big part of that.
So, imagine my surprise when I found out they are just about ready to greenlight a remake of Karate Kid with Jaden Smith starring in the latest version. You remember Jaden don't you? He's Will Smith's son and was in Pursuit of Happyness with him. He is also by my count about 6 years old. Sure, you might think he is older and he in fact might be older but he is most definitely not a teenager. Do you think people have an interest in going to watch a bunch of 8 year old kids learn lessons about bullies? If you want to do something like that, just steal the concept and make yourself a Nickelodeon or Disney made for cable film. Now, there are those who would say, but Ralph Macchio was like 46 when he played a 16 year old. True, and Ralph is about 114 now and still look 30. Have you seen him on Entourage? Whatever he is taking I want some.
The new Karate Kid concept? Some kid is going around taking everyone's milk money and pulling the braids of girl's hair so Jaden Smith finds a mentor, gets fit and then takes out the kid. Hell, I don't know if that is close to being accurate but he's 8 or 9 or something. What kind of trouble does a kid like that get into?
You know I love your snark, Enty, but this kid is so freakin' adorable I'd probably watch him in just about anything. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and I saw him in an interview a month or so ago, and he's grown a foot in the last year. But still, yes, definitely too young for this.
ReplyDeleteYeah he is such a cutie and so much personality, but KK hmmm not seeing that for him
ReplyDeleteI'm with ya, Ent. Way too young. How could an 8 year old's girlfriend leave him for Refrigerator Perry?!
ReplyDeletewtf? the kid is like 8 years old. that is so wrong, why not just make a damn movie with that plot but call it something else like "My dad is fucking rich and now i make movies instead of getting a proper education"
ReplyDeleteyou can't take a teen flick that so many people loved back then and tween it up, hell its not even tween...its a fucking child! FAIL.
And wouldn't some of those tasks violate child labor laws? And who is going to be the mentor without Pat Morita? I bet they tap Lucy Liu to be "Madame Miyagi". This smells wrong...
ReplyDeleteJust for the record, he's 10 1/2.
ReplyDeleteWhy would you use a 10 year old to portray a teenager? Oh, Jax nailed it---because Daddy is rich enough to buy you the part.
ReplyDeleteCute, not cute, whatever. There are tons of TEEN actors out there who, just by virtue of time spent walking the planet, are more mature than any 10 year old. It's not fair the way celebrity parents are so eager to suck away their kids' childhoods. Your kids are not a f'ing franchise.
They don't need the money...are well connected...what's the hurry ? Let him be a kid...
ReplyDeleteReally mooshki? 10 1/2? Well, that makes it all better. He sure is ready to portray romantic relationships at that ripe old age.
ReplyDeleteI'm just sick of remakes. Can someone show a little creativity and come out with some new stuff? Please?
ReplyDeleteI don't know that he's a particularly good choice for the role, based on his young age, but I do know why they're pushing for it now. They want to be able to turn this film into a franchise if it does well, and they don't want him to be creepy-old by the third film. He can grow up as his character grows.
ReplyDeleteHow long can you remake and remake and remake until you got, basically, shit on film? Give me the damn money - I'll write something.
ReplyDeleteOr go buy all of us a nice pair of Louboutins. Enty, I saw a lace pair that are divine. Just a little hint now that the holidays are approaching..
I think it's disturbing that they have the kid entering the business at such a young age. They should know better than most that child star stories rarely end well. Let the kid grow up first and then look at the possibility of a career in entertainment. The kid is already going to be in his dad's shadow but to ask him to step into that position at his age is just appalling. I'm not a huge fan of Will Smith's to begin with but this is just really sad for this kid.
ReplyDeleteThe kid is cute but he has attitude like his mother who I don't care for. I think first Karate Kid was enough for me. Kind of getting tired with some of the movies I've seen being made into remakes. Some should be left alone.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's either acting or SeaOrg. Acting it is, then. But I'm with Syko. Can't Hollywood come up with something new? I remember the Hardy Boys tv show (well, never really watched it, just knew who the stars were), but what about a movie based on a boys book. Are there such things anymore?
ReplyDeleteLOL, Maggie. Nowadays, he'll probably have knocked up his first girlfriend within a year or two.
ReplyDeleteShakey, you do know that Ben Stiller is making a Hardy Boys movie, right? I expect it'll be awesome. LOL.
distributed by United Artists no doubt
ReplyDeleteHe and Owen Wilson as the Hardy Boys? (she asked with a smirk on her face)
ReplyDeleteI can't remember who it is now, but it wasn't Owen. :( Believe me, if it were going to be Owen you would've heard about it before now 'cause I'd be blabbing about it all day long. :)
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