The Karate Kid (2010)
- Before Jaden Smith was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
- Harald Zwart originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
The Karate Kid is a 2010 American martial arts drama directed by Harald Zwart, a remake of the 1984 classic transplanted from California to China. Jaden Smith stars as Dre Parker, a 12-year-old Detroit kid who moves to Beijing with his mother when she transfers for work, and is immediately bullied by a local kung fu student. Jackie Chan plays Mr.
Han, the building maintenance man who turns out to be a kung fu master dealing with his own tragic past, who agrees to train Dre for an upcoming tournament. Jackie Chan delivered one of the most emotionally nuanced performances of his career as Mr. Han, particularly in a scene revealing the loss of his wife and son that was a dramatic departure from his typical comedic roles.
The training sequences, set against stunning Chinese locations including the Great Wall and the Wudang Mountains, were visually spectacular. Despite the title, the film actually depicted kung fu rather than karate. The Karate Kid earned $359 million worldwide on a $40 million budget.
