Movies News

WB brings Kung Fu to the big screen

By Scott Rosenberg Nov 2, 2006, 8:13 GMT

LOS ANGELES, CA, United States (M&C) -- Back in May this year, we told you about Warner Bros’ shingle Legendary Pictures desire to bring the 70’s classic series ‘Kung Fu’ to the big screen. David Carridine as Kwai Chang Caine in the 70's cult classic TV series 'Kung Fu'

David Carridine as Kwai Chang Caine in the 70's cult classic TV series 'Kung Fu'The TV cult classic starred David Carridine as Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin monk who fled China to the American Wild West, where he helped the oppressed in a non-violent way.We told you M&C would let you know when new details about the movie became available, well my “little grasshopper’ directors Allen and Albert Hughes have been tapped to direct the big screen adaptation.
While the Hughes brothers haven’t been in a feature directing chair since Johnny Depp’s ‘From Hell’ in 2002, they have been eagerly sought out as directors of commercial spots.Brothers were rep’d by Jeff Robinov before he became head of production for WB – giving them an edge over other directors who coveted the ‘Kung Fu’ job.Cory Goodman (‘Priest’) will rewrite a script by Howard Friedlander who wrote for the original series. Ed Spielman who created the series and will executive produce the feature will work with Goodman and Friedlander on script.

WB who will co-finance with Legendary is looking for the “zen” nature of the film to bolster their goodwill with China. Hopes are that it will aid their expansion into China on the exhibition, production and distribution fronts.Reportedly, producers have already approached monks at the Shaolin Temple located outside Beijing. Non-violent marital arts trained monks from the Temple were the inspiration for the TV series.Feature is planned to begin helming next year – slated for a 2008 release which would allow WB to promo at the Beijing Olympics.No word yet on who will play the “Caine” role.Copyright 2006 by Monsters and Critics