‘Ip Man’ star Donnie Yen signs on for ‘Kung Fu’ remake from ‘John Wick’ and ‘Atomic Blonde’ director David Leitch

"Kung Fu" VHS Cover

“Kung Fu” VHS Cover

Martial arts star Donnie Yen (Sakra, John Wick: Chapter 4) will star in a remake of David Carradine’s classic TV show Kung Fu ( 1972-1975) for Universal Pictures. 87North’s David Leitch, the action filmmaker known for John WickAtomic BlondeDeadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (not to mention a possible Enter the Dragon remake), is attached to direct Kung Fu.

The original ABC series starred Carradine as a master martial artist who fled China after his master was murdered. He wandered the Old West helping the downtrodden and weathering rampant racism while eluding assassins trying to kill him. He was a peaceful man until provoked, which happened at least once an episode. The remake will be set in the present-day, unlike the TV series which was set in the 1800s (via Deadline).

Leitch is also producing, along with Kelly McCormick (Atomic Blonde). Additionally, original Kung Fu series creator Ed Spielman (The Young Riders) will be brought in to executive produce. Stephen Chin, known for War Dogs and Another Day in Paraidse, will write the screenplay.

Back in 2013, it was announced that the late Bill Paxton (Aliens) was attached to direct a big screen reboot of Kung Fu. Unfortunately, Paxton left the project (before his passing) for unknown reasons. Then it was announced that Australian director Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge) was in talks, but a deal never materialized (via THR).

We’ll keep you updated on Kung Fu as we learn more.



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19 Responses to ‘Ip Man’ star Donnie Yen signs on for ‘Kung Fu’ remake from ‘John Wick’ and ‘Atomic Blonde’ director David Leitch

  1. Aerosniff Someglue says:

    Never seen the original. I’ll never will. Same for this reboot/remake/tribute.

    • Kevin says:

      I saw it and I haven’t forgot. Kung Fu the movie should be at least a quality film since David directed some very successful movies. The studio is willing to give him a decent budget at least 25 to 30 million to do this movie.

  2. Ska Martes says:

    David Leitch made 1.5 good movies. Co-directing John Wick 1 and then Atomic Blonde. Everything else has been utter trash. 2024 Donnie is also not something that is particullarly exciting either

    • Andrew Hernandez says:

      I liked Deadpool 2 and Bullet Train was decent. Hobbs & Shaw had some moments, but there was way too much studio interference.

      The Fall Guy has the potential to be fun, and considering how early Leitch is in his directing career, he has several more years to keep improving as one. If he’s still directing the Enter the Dragon remake, he can certainly make that one cool, mostly because of Paul’s article about the original.

    • Tony says:

      Donnie is soon wrapping a action

  3. Kevin says:

    It takes Donnie to reach 60 to finally get a staring role in a Hollywood production. Looks forward to it. David and Chad are the guys at the moment. They have the credentials now to do big action movies. Looks like Sleeping Dog project never got off the ground. Cain character is similar to Ip Man quiet and introvert which Donnie can play in his sleep now. If David is the director, he should bring on Yuen Woo Ping to direct the Kung Fu.

    • Andrew Hernandez says:

      He may not have gotten top billing, but he pretty much stole the show in Rogue One, Return of Xander Cage and John Wick 4, and may as well have been the star of those. (I guess people want to forget that he was basically the star of CTHD 2)

      Is Woo Ping retired? I hoped he would pass the baton on to his disciples like Phillip Ng.

      • Anonymous says:

        Lol the bias against anything Western action films on this website is always hilarious.

        Yen didn’t steal the show in John Wick 4. Reeves handled bulk of the action in that. John Wick is Reeves’ franchise and it wouldn’t even exist without him. Always remember that.

        All of Yen’s solo films have bombed outside of China. Nuff said.

        • 1Anon4Another says:

          I know right, it’s almost like the site should just go ahead and brand itself as one that specializes in Asian action cinema, it’ll make life easier for the “Western action films” fans to stick to sites like worldfilmgeek and stop crying.

          • Andrew Hernandez says:

            As soon as his name pops up, I automatically know not to read anything he types, but if others want to take care of him and the glue sniffers, so be it.

            • Anonymous says:

              You’re just pissed because someone prefers Western action over Asian action films. And you have no reply for that lol.

              Movies are always going to subjective. Not everyone is going to like the same films as you do.

          • Anonymous says:

            Nobody is crying.

            Movies are subjective and I’ll take Western action films anyday over Asian action films. Its not even close.

            • Aerosniff Someglue says:

              I think we got your message.

              Then why the …. are your visiting this site and wasting your precious time reding mostly about Aian movies (do you really think lots of people come here to get info about Scott Adkins’ latest crap fest or Liam Neeson’s new direct to video geriatric action thriller?).

              P.S.: I stopped watching John Wick flicks after enduring the pitiful second one. Let’s kill Keanu and find something more exciting. Or watch again his much better inspirators: The man from nowhere, A bittersweet life, etc.

              • Anonymous says:

                “P.S.: I stopped watching John Wick flicks after enduring the pitiful second one. Let’s kill Keanu and find something more exciting. Or watch again his much better inspirators: The man from nowhere, A bittersweet life, etc.”

                Well thats like your opinion man.
                I’ll take the John Wick films over any Asian Action movie ever made and its not even close.

                Films are subjective. Always remember that.

                • TuffShet says:

                  I hope you know that Keanu Reeves is an Asian man. You only like John Wick because of Asian people. Always remember that you love Asian cinema… if it’s made by white men.

                  • Anonymous says:

                    I’ll say it again: I’ll take the John Wick films over any Asian action movie ever made.

                    Films are subjective. The viewer gets to decide if something is good or bad. Movies are not objective. Always remember that.

  4. Scott Robinson says:

    I haven’t watched the Blonde movie yet. But even the first john wick was lousy. Lowered the standards.

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