By Filmmaker David Leitch, out talking up “The Fall Guy” following its successful premiere at SXSW, says his upcoming reimagining of “Kung Fu” aims to be a potential franchise launcher.
Announced in late January, martial arts icon Donnie Yen will star in this film adaptation of the 1972 TV series which starred David Carradine as a master martial artist who fled China after his master was murdered and wandered the Old West helping the downtrodden.
Stephen Chin (“War Dogs”) wrote the screenplay for the new film version while original series creator Ed Spielman will executive produce the new take alongside Leitch’s 87North production label.
Speaking with Collider, Leitch was asked about the in-development reboot and he says he’s eager to get started working on the new adaptation:
“Lung fu, martial arts is a huge part of my life, has been since I was a kid. I’m a huge fan of Donnie and his work and his films. And so the potential of that is really, really interesting.
We’re in the development phase with Donnie, and it’s really exciting, and it just feels like a big international franchise potential with Donnie as Caine. So I’m really excited about it, but again, it’s in development, and we’re making it happen.
I’m not gonna commit to the IMAX cameras just yet, but it would be an honor always to use them because the format is amazing, and 70 millimeter is amazing. Haven’t had that opportunity yet.”
Leitch is already prepping sequels to two films he produced – “Nobody” and “Violent Night” – so one of his directorial efforts potentially getting follow-ups isn’t a stretch. As the first is still in the development stage, don’t expect an actual franchise for some time.
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