Chinese Studios to AI-Remake Kung Fu Classics with Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li

China's film industry is diving headfirst into AI, as a new initiative plans to use the technology to remake the legendary kung fu films of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and other martial arts icons.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a consortium of Chinese studios announced the "Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project – 100 Classics AI Revitalization Project" at the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 19. Key titles slated for revival include Bruce Lee's 1972 classic *Fists of Fury*, Jackie Chan's 1978 star-making film *Drunken Master*, and the 1991 epic *Once Upon a Time in China*, which catapulted Jet Li to fame.

The project also aims to give John Woo's 1986 gangster drama *A Better Tomorrow* a cyberpunk makeover, described as "the world's first fully AI-produced animated feature film from start to finish."

At the announcement, Zhang Pimin of the China Film Foundation stated that applying AI to these "aesthetic treasures of cinematic history" would modernize their presentation to align with contemporary viewing habits. "This is not just about preserving film heritage," he said. "It's a bold exploration into the innovative evolution of cinematic art."

Tian Ming, Chairman of project partner Shanghai Canxing Culture and Media, emphasized that the new versions would "honor the original masterpieces" and "redefine visual aesthetics," showcasing significant upgrades in picture quality, sound, and overall production value. Ming also disclosed that a substantial fund of 100 million yuan (approximately $13.9 million) has been established to launch the initiative.

"We earnestly invite the world's leading AI animation studios to join us in sparking a revolutionary shift that challenges cinematic tradition," Tian stated.

Other collaborators on the project include the China Film Foundation's Film and Urban Development Special Fund and Quantum Animation.

The rise of AI continues to stir debate across creative fields. Filmmaker Tim Burton has described AI-generated art as "very disturbing," and Wizards of the Coast faced criticism after having to retract a statement that it hadn't used AI for *Magic: The Gathering* artwork when it actually had.

Conversely, *Justice League* director Zack Snyder argued in December that filmmakers must actively engage with AI rather than "standing on the sidelines." Earlier in 2024, Netflix executives noted that audiences are generally indifferent to the underlying technology, including AI, used to create their favorite shows and movies.