Jackie Chan is the New Mr. Miyagi in "Karate Kid" Redo

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From Variety...

Jackie Chan is in final negotiations to join the Columbia Pictures remake of "The Karate Kid."

Harald Zwart will helm the pic, which has been revamped as a starring vehicle for Jaden Smith.

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.

"Karate Kid" will shoot early this summer in Beijing.

Jerry Weintraub, who launched the original 1984 pic, is producing alongside Overbrook Entertainment's James Lassiter, Will Smith and Ken Stovitz. China Film Group Corp. will co-produce in China.

International martial-arts star Chan has put his karate skills to use in such English-language films as the "Rush Hour" trilogy, "The Forbidden Kingdom" and the upcoming "The Spy Next Door."

Zwart most recently helmed "The Pink Panther 2" for the studio and MGM.