Will Smith to Produce New ‘The Karate Kid’ Starring Kid Jaden Smith

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:59:45 -0700

CHICAGO – Sometimes rumors do become true. Will Smith will produce a new version of “The Karate Kid” with his 10-year-old kid, Jaden Smith, in the starring role.

The confirmed news surfaced on Tuesday in contrast to denied reports from a year ago that Will Smith was planning to wax on a remake of the 1984 classic “The Karate Kid”. That film featured Ralph Macchio in the starring role with Pat Morita as the infamous Mr. Miyagi.

Left image: Will Smith (left) and Jaden Smith (right) | Right image: Ralph Macchio in 1984’s “The Karate Kid”
Left image credit: Jeff Kravitz, Getty Images | Right image credit: (source)

The new version of “The Karate Kid” will shoot in 2009, according to Variety. Will Smith will produce the Columbia Pictures release through his Overbrook Entertainment production company.

“The Karate Kid” remake will be an adaptation from the original. While writer Chris Murphy plans to take the plot to more exotic locations such as Beijing, actor Jaden Smith will again be bullied and will again turn to a Mr. Miyagi character.

That character, though, is currently not yet cast. The original Mr. Miyagi sensei (to both Ralph Macchio and then to Hilary Swank in 1994’s “The Next Karate Kid”), who was played by Pat Morita, died in 2005.

In addition to starring in the new “The Karate Kid,” Jaden Smith co-starred with Will Smith in “The Pursuit of Happyness”. Jaden Smith will also appear opposite Keanu Reeves in the upcoming winter film “The Day the Earth Stood Still”.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Hookup: 30 Admit-Two Early Passes to ‘The Promotion’ With John C. Reilly, Seann William Scott

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:22:32 -0700

CHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we’re giving away 30 admit-two passes to the new film “The Promotion” with John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott. The screening will take place on June 2, 2008 at 7 p.m. in Chicago. To win, just submit a comment! The first 30 people to do so are guaranteed free passes.

The movie poster for “The Promotion” with John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott.
Image credit: The Weinstein Company

Here’s a description of the new film, which is scheduled to open on June 6, 2008.

Oscar-nominated actor John C. Reilly (“Chicago,” “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”) and Seann William Scott (“American Pie”) lend their deft comedic touch to the story of two mid-level Chicago supermarket employees – Doug and Richard (a dubious new guy from Canada) – who compete ruthlessly for a coveted managerial post.

Doug and Richard couldn’t be more different, but going head to head in a contest of wits and will reveals how they have more in common than they thought. The duo battle toward a hilarious final showdown that will leave you guessing until the very end. The film is the directorial debut of Steve Conrad (writer of “The Pursuit of Happyness”).

Seann William Scott (left) and John C. Reilly in “The Promotion”.
Image credit: The Weinstein Company

Winners will be e-mailed with confirmation and venue information. To secure your tickets now, make sure you’re logged into your HollywoodChicago.com account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Next, click “Add new comment” below. This is required to win. In your comment, you must include your name and an answer to this simple question:

Who’s funnier and why: John C. Reilly or Seann William Scott?

John C. Reilly (left) and Seann William Scott in “The Promotion”.
Image credit: The Weinstein Company

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com