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Jackie Chan as the Next Mr. Miyagi

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jackiechan Jackie Chan as the Next Mr. Miyagi

Did you really expect anyone else to be the front runner for the role of martial arts mentor Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid remake? Jaden Smith has already landed the coveted role of the misguided youth in the film that originally made Ralph Macchio a star. According to THR, legendary actor/martial artist Jackie Chan is close to signing a deal to star as the wise mentor that was originally played by the late Pat Morita.

Jaden Smith is set to star as the boy to be mentored by Chan’s character. Like the original, which starred Morita and Ralph Macchio, the movie will examine the relationship between a martial arts expert and a boy who is picked on by bullies.

Not only is Chan in negotiations to play this coveted role, but Columbia Pictures has also hired a director.  Harold Zwart will step behind the camera for this update of the Karate Kid, adding it to his current credits which include One Night At McCool’s, and this years The Pink Panther 2.

Do you think Jackie Chan is the obvious choice to play Mr. Miyagi, or is there another less known actor out there who deserves a shot?

COMMENTS

  1. Posted by Steve
    Wednesday, January 14, 2009 6:50AM

    Sounds like this is going along the lines of the 3 Ninjas Movies. Damn. If you wanted a more serious take, how about Ken Wantanabe?

  2. Posted by lena
    Wednesday, January 14, 2009 9:51AM

    Thats exactly what I was thinking. The first karate Kid was an excellent film and Pat got an Oscar nod off of it. This one seems campy like the last one with Hilary Swank.

  3. Posted by Steve
    Friday, January 16, 2009 5:03AM

    I think it could work. Jackie Chan could play a clumsy handyman ala Drunken Master, and it could still work in the role.

  4. Posted by Nick Nolte Leads the Cast of O’Connor’s Warrior
    Monday, March 9, 2009 5:34PM

    [...] could choose to train you in a technique of martial arts who would it be? I’d go for Jet Li, Jackie Chan, or Jason Statham, but director Gavin O’Connor prefers his mentors more on the weathered [...]

  5. Posted by Chow Yun-Fat to Star in Confucius Biopic
    Tuesday, March 10, 2009 11:30AM

    [...] the most part Jackie Chan and Jet-Li have dominated the American martial arts market, with Yun-Fat coming in for an occasional [...]

  6. Posted by Taraji P. Henson Cast in Karate Kid Remake
    Wednesday, June 3, 2009 9:10AM

    [...] will join Smith, and Jackie Chan as the Mr. Miyagi-esque mentor, Mr. Han. I’m surprised that we’re still using the name [...]

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