Chinese Studios Planning AI Remakes of the Classic Kung Fu Films of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li

Chinese studios are fully embracing AI, with a recent announcement that the iconic kung-fu films of Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and other martial arts greats will get remade via AI.

A group of Chinese studios unveiled what they’re calling the “Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project 100 Classics AI Revitalization Project” during the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 19, according to The Hollywood Reporter. They specifically highlighted titles like Lee’s 1972 film Fists of Fury, Chan’s breakout 1978 film Drunken Master, and the 1991 film Once Upon a Time in China, which made Li a household name in kung-fu films.

The studios also plan to rework John Woo’s 1986 film A Better Tomorrow with a cyberpunk edge, in what they’re calling “the world’s first full-process, AI-produced animated feature film.”

China Film Foundation Zhang Pimin addressed the work at the announcement and said using AI on these “aesthetic historical treasures” would transform their look in a way that “conforms to contemporary film viewing.” He added: “It is not only film heritage, but also a brave exploration of the innovative development of film art.”

Shanghai Canxing Culture and Media chairman of project partners Tian Ming claimed these new versions would “pay tribute to the original work” and “reshape the visual aesthetics,” while also demonstrating upgrades in image, sound, and overall production levels. Ming also revealed that a fund worth a whopping 100 million yuan (approx. $13.9 million), would be used to get the initiative going.

“We sincerely invite the world’s top AI animation companies to jointly start a film revolution that subverts tradition,” Tian said.

Additional partners for the project include the China Film Foundation’s Film and Urban Development Special Fund and Quantum Animation.

AI has proved a controversial topic within creative industries. Legendary filmmaker Tim Burton called AI generated art "very disturbing" while Wizards of the Coast was forced to issue a correction after claiming it didn't use AI for some Magic: The Gathering artwork when it actually did.

However, in December last year, Justice League and Rebel Moon director Zack Snyder said filmmakers need to embrace artificial intelligence instead of "standing on the sidelines with your hands on your hips." And earlier in 2024, Netflix bosses said audiences "don't care much" about the technology used to deliver TV and film, including AI.

Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images.

Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.