Donnie Yen to Star in Universal’s ‘Kung Fu’ Movie – The Hollywood Reporter
Kung Fu, the long-running adaptation of the 1970s TV show, is getting a shake-up with actor Donnie Yen stepping up to the project to star in the film. The well-known martial artist and star is in talks to lead a film for Universal, Hollywood Reporter He confirmed it.
Frequent Universal collaborator David Leitch has been working on the project since 2020, producing with Kelly McCormick via Universal-based 87North Productions alongside Jay Daniela. Stephen Leureux is producing via Solipsist Films. Leach, who has victim Scheduled for release this spring, he’s eyeing the director’s chair Kung Fuwhich contains text from Stephen Chen and is important Kung Fu Television creator Ed Spielman serves as executive producer.
Yen is an international star, known for his work in Hong Kong and Hollywood. He’s driving Intellectual Property Man films, and was among the actors who grossed $1 billion Rogue One: A Star Wars Story In addition to a remake of live-action films produced by Disney Mulan And John Wick: Chapter 4.
“Donnie Yen is an extremely talented actor and action legend, and it is an honor to have a true martial arts master leading this world-class film,” Leitch said. “With Donnie as our leading man, it will be a thrill to collaborate with him, our creative partners and Universal in reimagining this beloved story for the big screen.”
The late David Carradine starred in the film Kung Fu The series aired on ABC from 1972 to 1975. The plot revolves around Kwai Chang Qin, a Shaolin monk who travels to the American West in search of his half-brother. One of her cultural contributions is adding the phrase “little grasshopper” to the dictionary.
Yen is represented by Independent Artists Group and R&CPMK. Leach is repped by CAA, Johnson Shapiro, Silhouette & Kohl, and 42West. Chen is repped by Syndicate Entertainment.