Published at 12:02 PM on January 15, 2009

By Jeffrey Bloomer

Jackie Chan to play Mr. Miyagi in new Karate Kid

By now, we’ve all developed some fairly thick skin when it comes to big-name remakes, but some of them still seem doomed from the moment they’re conceived. Bat a weary eye toward the new version of The Karate Kid, now in development, which has already earned righteous accusations of nepotism because Jaden Smith, pint-sized scion of Will Smith, landed the lead role.

And who will be Mr. Miyagi, the avuncular martial-arts master who schools our anointed celebrity kid? Jackie Chan, says EW. Fans are not pleased.

The film, reported to be set in Beijing, looks to take the concept of the original and little else—which is just the same, really, since it’s become clear that the graying audience who propped up the original will want nothing to do with this one.

Related links:
News: Inexplicable Karate Kid remake to feature Will Smith's son
Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still
Review: Hancock

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