Will Smith’s boy Jaden will be staring in the remake of the Karate Kid. So now that Daniel-san will be replaced by an 11 year old, why not replace the karate teaching handyman with a Kung-fu star?
Considering that Jaden Smith has been cast as the lead, it was only a matter of time before the filmmakers found an actor to fill the shoes of the late Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi.
The folks over at Entertainment Weekly have confirmed that Jackie Chan will play the new Miyagi to Smith’s Daniel-san
I seriously worry for this role.
Much like the immortal words of William Shatner, you can’t play Kirk without playing Shatner playing Kirk.
I feel that much of the same idea can be applied to Mr Miyagi. Pat Morita’s “Wax on, Wax off” and iconic “aaaaiya” would sound cheap and copied if Chan goes that way.
Hopefully they will just have Chan be Chan and not try to act like Mr Miyagi. Have the role be in purpose alone and not the personality. I am not to hopeful about this remake as it is without adding this to the mix.
Personally, I would sooner see this be a sequel with Ralph Macchio attending Miyagi’s funeral, and then taking it to a level of personal duty to his old friend to carry on the name of Miyagi Karate. When he meets young Jaden attending his class for revenge against a bullying schoolboy, Daniel can set him straight.
