Donnie Yen to Star in Universal’s ‘Kung Fu’ Movie – Deadline

René Newh/Everett Collection

Exclusive: World-renowned actor and influential Hong Kong director Donnie Yen is set to star in Universal Pictures’ 87North. Kung Fu, a film adaptation of the classic 1970s TV series. Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, and Guy Daniela will produce via 87North, with Leitch looking to direct.

Stephen Chen wrote the screenplay. The film will also be produced by Stephen Leheroux, and Ed Spellman, creator of the original Kung Fu TV series, he will executive produce.

The ABC original series starred David Carradine as a master martial artist who fled China after his master was killed. He wanders the Old West helping the downtrodden and overcoming rampant racism while eluding assassins trying to kill him. He was a peaceful guy until he was provoked, which happened at least once in the episode.

With his pioneering work on and off camera, Donnie Yen is among the very few actors of his generation working at the highest levels of both the Chinese and Hollywood film industries, which the studio considered a big factor when they offered him the opportunity to work. Role. Uni and 87North know the original series’ global appeal, and they knew they needed a star with the same global reach to drive it.

Executive Vice President of Production Development Matt Reilly and Director of Development Tony Ducret will oversee on behalf of the studio.

“Donnie Yen is an extremely talented actor and action legend, and it is a great honor to have a true martial arts master leading this world-class film,” Leitch said. Collaborate with him, our creative partners and Universal in reimagining this beloved story for the big screen.

Yen pioneered the depiction of mixed martial arts movements in films such as SPL/kill zone And flash pointwhile projects such as iron monkey, Bodyguards and assassins, Wu Xia And Jungle Kung Fu Set a new standard for on-screen kung fu fighting. Since then he has become a major figure not only in Chinese action cinema but in motion pictures around the world.

It is also very popular and well received Intellectual Property Man A film series that achieved great success at the American box office John Wick: Chapter 4, star Wars Excerpts: Rogue one And xXx: The return of Xander Cage For which Yen received great critical and popular reviews. He also starred in a Disney movie Mulan In addition to successful Asian films Dragon City And Raging fires Which he also produced.

Yen recently completed producing, directing and starring in The Passion Project Sakuraan adaptation of the classic Chinese novel Demigods and Semi-Demons, which Yin described as one of the biggest challenges of his career.

Chen wrote War dogsStarring Jonah Hill and Miles Teller, directed by Todd Phillips. He is currently writing an original spy series for AMC. As a long-time fan and student of classic martial arts films, he was asked to host the 40th anniversary screening of the film Enter the dragon At Warner Bros. Studios.

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.