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Jackie Chan as the New Mr. Miyagi

January 15, 2009 | Author: Matthew | Filed under: Martial Arts,Opinion,Recent Events,karate

As you might recall, there is a new Karate Kid movie in the works. It was recently announced that Jackie Chan has been slated to play the mentor, aka, Mr. Miyagi.

“Jackie Chan is in final negotiations to join the Columbia Pictures remake of “The Karate Kid.”… Set in an exotic Asian locale, the new film will borrow elements of the original plot, wherein a bullied youth (Smith) learns to stand up for himself with the help of an eccentric mentor (Chan). Chris Murphy penned the screenplay.” - Variety

Let’s all get together and have a John Madden, state-the-obvious moment: “Jackie Chan…here’s a guy who’s not even Okinawan…or Japanese.”

How can you have a Chinese man playing a Karate Master? The explanation is simple – the new Karate Kid will be set in China, rather than Japan or Okinawa. In order to ramp up the far-east drama, Will Smith and Company decided to shoot in Chinese locales that will include, but will not be not limited to, Beijing.

Will Smith explained his decision making process for choosing China:

“We’re making it with the China Film Group, so it’ll be based in Beijing,” he said of where the modern version of “Karate Kid” will take place. “Mr. Miyagi was originally Japanese, so there’ll be a Chinese adaptation to it.”

On the possibility that many will question how could Karate which is a Japanese martial art be brought to China, Smith reasoned that although karate was developed in Japan, it is based on Chinese fighting style, Kenpo. “Fortunately, karate is originally a Chinese art form,” he said, “so that’s the area we’re playing around in.” – Japan Probe

Will Smith is a cool guy, but unfortunately his excitement for this project has pushed him forward before doing any deep research of the subject matter.

Despite what Will says in his quote, Mr. Miyagi was not originally Japanese. He was Okinawan. If you recall in the second movie, Miyagi and Daniel travel back to Miyagi’s home town, Tome Village. This was a small farming/fishing village found near Kadena Airbase.

Pat Morita, the ACTOR who played Miyagi, was of Japanese descent. This is an important cultural note because everyone involved in the original Karate Kid production recognized that a Japanese actor was playing an Okinawan role. There was a distinct and respected difference. Anyone who has studied asian culture for awhile will know that Chinese, Japanese, Okinawan, Korean, etc. people don’t particularly like being called something they aren’t.

Second, Will Smith states that karate is “originally a chinese art form.” This is a gross simplification of the way martial arts developed in the east. Karatedo certainly was influenced by Chinese arts, but it was not a matter of direct lineage back to China.

Satunuku “Tode” Sakugawa and Kanryo Higashionna were some of the earliest recorded martial practitioners on Okinawa, and were also instrumental in the fusion of Chinese arts into indigenous Okinawan arts (then known as Te). Sakugawa reportedly learned from a Chinese envoy named Koshokun, and eventually would travel to China itself to pursue the ways of Chinese Kempo. Upon his return he continued mixing his new found knowledge with local arts and formed Tode (hence his nickname).

Kanryo Higashionna traveled to China as well and allegedly studied under a master named Ru Ru Ko. When he returned he worked to develop a new system that combined both hard and soft elements. It eventually became known as Naha-te.

From there, more and more generations continued to learn and mix different fighting styles as masters from different countries (Japan, Korea, etc.) visited/moved to Okinawa (or conversely, Okinawans visited/moved to other countries). “Bushi” Matsumura eventually instilled a sense of Japanese Bushido in his art through Jigen Ryu swordsmanship, along with elements of chinese arts, and become instrumental in the creation of Shorin-Ryu karate.

Take this confusing mishmash and multiply it by 100. That’s the true nature of how karate was created. Karate was not, and will never be, a pure chinese art form. Therefore, making a movie in China and calling it “The Karate Kid” is insulting to the rich martial history that each of the asian countries has woven over the centuries.

Jackie Jumping On Board

When it comes to the choice of Jackie Chan in this roll…doesn’t it feel a little forced? Jackie Chan is not the only Chinese actor in the world…couldn’t we have gotten Pai Mei from Kill Bill?

Just kidding, but I did love that character.

The angle they are taking with this movie throws out all concern for subtlety in favor of box office $$. Think about how neat a period piece could have been. They could have done a movie about Kanryo Higashionna traveling to a mysterious and intimidating China and seeking out the elusive Ru Ru Ko. They could have even taken creative liberties with the story because actual details are a bit sparse. Of course, if they did that, they couldn’t have used The Karate Kid name as a vehicle for Jaden Smith.

The more I see and hear about this movie, the more it concerns me that we will eventually see a box package of the original three movies combined with the horrible Hillary Swank remake and then this.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, January 15th, 2009 and is filed under Martial Arts, Opinion, Recent Events, karate. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Foxy Citrus

I totally agree with you on all of this.

You wanna know the real reason they are filming this in China? China = a lot cheaper than Japan to film in. Or even Okinawa, I bet. It all comes down to money.
Foxy Citrus

I totally agree with you on all of this.

You wanna know the real reason they are filming this in China? China = a lot cheaper than Japan to film in. Or even Okinawa, I bet. It all comes down to money.
http://strikingthoughts.wordpress.com/ Bob Patterson

That about guarantees that the purists will be annoyed! However, the general public probably doesn’t’ know the difference.

Ug. Why not just have Chuck Norris or Steven Seagal play Miyagi?
http://strikingthoughts.wordpress.com/ Bob Patterson

That about guarantees that the purists will be annoyed! However, the general public probably doesn’t’ know the difference.

Ug. Why not just have Chuck Norris or Steven Seagal play Miyagi?
http://CookDingsKitchen.blogspot.com Rick Matz

Maybe we’ll all be surprised. In the meantime, I have an urge to stab myself in the forehead with an icepick.
http://CookDingsKitchen.blogspot.com Rick Matz

Maybe we’ll all be surprised. In the meantime, I have an urge to stab myself in the forehead with an icepick.
http://stressrelief101.blogspot.com MargueriteNico

You mean karate isn’t all the same thing? I love Jackie Chan, but I cannot see him playing Mr. Miyagi!! I didn’t watch the Karate Kid after #2. I’m definitely NOT watching this travesty. It’s too sad and as you said they should step away from it quickly.
http://stressrelief101.blogspot.com/ Marguerite

You mean karate isn’t all the same thing? I love Jackie Chan, but I cannot see him playing Mr. Miyagi!! I didn’t watch the Karate Kid after #2. I’m definitely NOT watching this travesty. It’s too sad and as you said they should step away from it quickly.
http://www.budogeek.blogspot.com Noah L

While I agree that they are grossly stretching the “Karate Kid” title for this, I will say that I will give it the benefit of the doubt until I see it. Jackie Chan is a good, well-known actor, and if Jaden has any of his dad’s ability, he should be pretty good as well. Personally, I would probably call it “Kenpo Kid” or “Kung Fu Kid” (depending on the art depicted) rather than “Karate Kid”. In any case, only time will tell, but hopefully they will do more research before they actually start filming.
http://www.budogeek.blogspot.com Noah L

While I agree that they are grossly stretching the “Karate Kid” title for this, I will say that I will give it the benefit of the doubt until I see it. Jackie Chan is a good, well-known actor, and if Jaden has any of his dad’s ability, he should be pretty good as well. Personally, I would probably call it “Kenpo Kid” or “Kung Fu Kid” (depending on the art depicted) rather than “Karate Kid”. In any case, only time will tell, but hopefully they will do more research before they actually start filming.
http://www.ikigaiway.com Matthew

The first write up I did about this movie I stayed kinda on the fence, I didn’t want to jump the gun too much. I figured this time I would put a little more salt and pepper into it.

Hey who knows, maybe they’ll take this as a stern warning and produce a kick-butt movie!! Haha. I’m waiting for a comment from Will Smith saying he appreciates the input.
http://www.ikigaiway.com Matthew

The first write up I did about this movie I stayed kinda on the fence, I didn’t want to jump the gun too much. I figured this time I would put a little more salt and pepper into it.

Hey who knows, maybe they’ll take this as a stern warning and produce a kick-butt movie!! Haha. I’m waiting for a comment from Will Smith saying he appreciates the input.
http://www.whatwouldrobertoeliasdo.blogspot.com/ Elias

Hmmm well I’m not so optimistic…

I remember reading an article in a similar vein, except about Will Smith in ‘I Robot,’ except not as well written and not as um… Polite.

I’ll watch it on DVD, maybe…
http://www.whatwouldrobertoeliasdo.blogspot.com/ Elias

Hmmm well I’m not so optimistic…

I remember reading an article in a similar vein, except about Will Smith in ‘I Robot,’ except not as well written and not as um… Polite.

I’ll watch it on DVD, maybe…
http://markstraining.com markstraining.com

I think a lot of people will be comparing it to the original. Something you can not do becuase there is only one Mr Miyagi. Although Jackie Chan is a great actor I dont think he is right for this role. I just hope they show true Karate, not Kung fu,
http://markstraining.com markstraining.com

I think a lot of people will be comparing it to the original. Something you can not do becuase there is only one Mr Miyagi. Although Jackie Chan is a great actor I dont think he is right for this role. I just hope they show true Karate, not Kung fu,
http://www.blackbeltmama.com Black Belt Mama

I know you write and stuff for a living, but I really think your true calling is graphic design.
http://www.blackbeltmama.com Black Belt Mama

I know you write and stuff for a living, but I really think your true calling is graphic design.
http://www.ikigaiway.com Matthew

BBM: Haha, so true. My microsoft paint skills are obvious.
http://www.ikigaiway.com Matthew

BBM: Haha, so true. My microsoft paint skills are obvious.
http://strikingthoughts.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/martial-arts-news-11809/ Martial Arts News 1.18.09 « Striking Thoughts

[...] least one blog already covered this but in case you missed it, Jackie Chan is slated to play Mr. Miyagi in the latest version of The [...]
http://www.colintimberlake.com/ Colin Timberlake

How about Ken Takakura as Miyagi?
http://www.colintimberlake.com/ Colin Timberlake

How about Ken Takakura as Miyagi?
Saladin Akara

Pat Morita, who played Mr Miyagi was an American of Japanese descent, born in Isleton, California. In The Karate Kid movies, he used a faux Japanese accent – his natural accent was American. Not to be pedantic or anything, but when you are requesting people do correct research it should be pertinent you do so also.

In regards to the new film: It is obvious they aren’t particularly wanting to keep in line with the original, regardless of what is being said.

I will probably watch it regardless… Not considering it in anyway related to the original, brilliant, movies.
Saladin Akara

Pat Morita, who played Mr Miyagi was an American of Japanese descent, born in Isleton, California. In The Karate Kid movies, he used a faux Japanese accent – his natural accent was American. Not to be pedantic or anything, but when you are requesting people do correct research it should be pertinent you do so also.

In regards to the new film: It is obvious they aren’t particularly wanting to keep in line with the original, regardless of what is being said.

I will probably watch it regardless… Not considering it in anyway related to the original, brilliant, movies.
http://www.ikigaiway.com Matthew

Hey pedantics count sometimes – I should have said ‘of Japanese descent’. I’m going to go in an make that change. Good catch.

If they don’t want to keep in line or honor the original movies, then they should create a separate martial arts movie of a different name.

As for the originals – the first two were brilliant, the second two not so much.
http://www.ikigaiway.com Matthew

Hey pedantics count sometimes – I should have said ‘of Japanese descent’. I’m going to go in an make that change. Good catch.

If they don’t want to keep in line or honor the original movies, then they should create a separate martial arts movie of a different name.

As for the originals – the first two were brilliant, the second two not so much.
Elizabeth

It won't be the same if they are going to change the place, I still like the orinigals are still going to be better…I like Jackie Chan, but I can't see him being Mr. Miyagi. And are they going to change his name? I don't think it's going to be the same =/
Elizabeth

It won't be the same if they are going to change the place, I still like the orinigals are still going to be better…I like Jackie Chan, but I can't see him being Mr. Miyagi. And are they going to change his name? I don't think it's going to be the same =/
http://www.ikigaiway.com/2008/a-new-karate-kid-movie-remake/ New Karate Kid Movie Starring Jaden Smith | Ikigai | Blogging the Martial Way

[...] Update – Jackie Chan slated to play Mr. Miyagi. Read about it here. [...]

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