Legend tells that Universal Pictures has optioned the rights to the 1972 TV series KUNG FU, and has tasked FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW director David Leitch with helming a modern day feature film based on the classic martial arts property. Having co-directed the action franchise starter JOHN WICK, as well as DEADPOOL 2 and ATOMIC BLONDE, fans of the original ABC series that starred David Carradine can expect the update to look as slick as a well-choreographed kata.
Kelly McCormick and Leitch will produce by way of their Universal-based 87North Productions, with Stephen L’Hereaux also producing via his Solipsist Film studio. For those of you worried about Leitch's version straying too far from the original, you might be interested to know that Ed Spielman, creator of the television series, is on board to executive produce.
For the television series that began in 1972, KUNG FU found David Carradine starring as Kwai Chang Caine, a martial arts master who escaped China after his master was murdered. Upon going West, Caine finds himself righting a series of wrongs for those lacking the strength to overcome their suppressors. Throughout his journey, Caine encounters bouts of racism as well as assassins whose job it is to kill him, despite his peaceful approach to life and liberty of the spirit.
As a point of fact, a remake of KUNG FU isn't the only martial arts classic that Leitch plans on updating for contemporary audiences. He's also attached to direct a remake of Bruce Lee's ENTER THE DRAGON at Warner Bros.
How do you feel about Leitch updating martial arts classics in the years to come? Are you cool with the stuntman-turned-director adding a John Wick-like flare to these timeless works, or would you prefer that he focus his attention on a different genre of filmmaking? Let us know in the comments section below.