Kung Fu Remake: Confirmation, Cast & Everything We Know (2024)

The classic 1970s TV series Kung Fu is receiving another modern re-imagining, but this time as a blockbuster movie from the producer of the John Wick films. Debuting in 1972, Kung Fu originally starred David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine a Shaolin master who travels the American Old West in the search for his missing half-brother. Despite being a big hit in the '70s, the action series hasn't held up to modern scrutiny and was ripe for remaking to fix its problematic elements.

The first attempt at a full remake came with the release of the 2021 TV series on the CW which recast the lead as a young Chinese American woman in the modern day. Like its predecessor, the remake ran for three seasons before being cut by its network as part of a major shakeup within its original programming. Now, a totally unrelated cinematic remake has been announced, which aims to fix the original's issues while amping up the action that made Kung Fu so popular in the first place.

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The Kung Fu Remake Latest News

Franchise Plans Are Teased

Not long after the remake was formally announced, the latest news sees franchise plans for the Kung Fu movie teased. While speaking about the project, director David Leitch not only gushed about its amazing legacy but hinted at how the Donnie Yen-led movie could blossom into something much bigger. Leitch said, "it's really exciting, and it just feels like a big international franchise potential with Donnie as Caine." Though nothing is confirmed, the comment suggests that the Kung Fu remake is being looked upon as the next big action franchise in the making.

The Kung Fu Remake Is Confirmed

A Cinematic Remake Is On The Way

Though rumblings of a remake have been going since 2020, it has now been confirmed that a new remake of Kung Fu is on the way with several notable additions. The remake is being produced by 87North and Universal Pictures, the dynamic duo that has brought the John Wick franchise to life, and tremendous box-office success. The movie will be directed by David Leitch and has already cast Donnie Yen in the lead role. Nothing is yet known about the movie's production timeline.

Who Is Remaking Kung Fu?

The Project Is Already Taking Shape

The new Kung Fu remake is something of a John Wick reunion as production company 87North will once again reteam with Universal Pictures to bring the new action flick to life. Director David Leitch is no stranger to action films and is well-known for helming Deadpool 2 and Bullet Train. The film will be written by Stephen Chin while Leitch, Kelly McCormick, Guy Danella, Stephan L’Hereaux, and original series creator Ed Spielman will produce the project. While nothing is known yet about the production, it will likely take a page from the aforementioned John Wick movies in both style and tone.

The Kung Fu Remake Cast

Donnie Yen Stars

The only name attached to the cast of the Kung Fu remake thus far is martial arts movie legend Donnie Yen, who will play the lead role. Though unconfirmed, the lead role will presumably be the character Caine from the original series that was first played by David Carradine. Yen is best known for his starring role in the Ip Man series, but has recently made a bigger name for himself in the Western world in movies like John Wick: Chapter 4 and Rogue One. Other names are expected once the project begins to take shape.

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The Kung Fu Remake Story

What Will Happen?

The specifics of the story are not known at this juncture, and it is even unclear if the remake will follow the original plot of Kung Fu or if it will invent some new scenario. If it is a true remake, it will follow Yen as a Shaolin martial artist who flees China following the death of his master. Once arriving in America, the character then goes on the hunt for his long-lost half-brother while being pursued as a fugitive. The original was set in the American Old West, but the remake would likely change the setting to the modern day for practical purposes.

Kung Fu

Based on the 1972 television series, Kung Fu is an action-drama film directed by David Leitch. Though information remains scarce on the film, Donnie Yen has been cast in the lead role. The original series followed a martial arts pupil who fled from China after his master was murdered, making a life out of wandering the Western United States and protecting the oppressed.