- Title: USA: Jaden Smith makes dad proud in "The Karate Kid"
- Date: 8th June 2010
- Summary: BAND AND DRAGON ON RED CARPET
- Embargoed: 23rd June 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA8HKY0EDX1L7EAH3BJCYU114H0
- Story Text: Jaden Smith shines at the premiere of "The Karate Kid" as proud parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith bring added star power to the event.
Hollywood's royal family, The Smith's, as in Will, Jada Pinkett and son Jaden, graced the red carpet Monday night (June 07, 2010) for the premiere of "The Karate Kid." The film, a remake of the classic '80's movie of the same name, stars 11-year-old Jaden and martial arts expert Jackie Chan.
In the film, Jaden plays Dre Parker who moves from Detroit with his mother (Taraji P. Henson) to China. Dre immediately falls for classmate Mei Ying, but cultural differences make the friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make him an enemy of the class bully. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but to maintenance man Mr. Han, played by Jackie Chan, who is secretly a Kung Fu master. Han teaches Dre about life and prepares him for his showdown with his enemies.
Jaden, who is alerady a Hollywood veteran at age 11 with three major films to his credit -- "The Pursuit of Happyness" where he co-starred with his dad, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and now "The Karate Kid" -- told Reuters he prepped hard to get in shape for the role.
"I mean I did three months before, four months after and now I am doing it again," explained Jaden on his love of martial arts training. "So, that is almost a year."
Parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, who were producers on the film, were rightfully proud.
"I think we feel he did a brilliant job," beamed Will. "We are happy he's a disciplined young man and I think people are going to love this movie."
Smith was also instrumental in bringing martial arts comic Jackie Chan to the film.
"I see Will in Japan. I say 'Hi, hello, how are you?' and he says, 'Oh, I have a project for you.' I say 'Ok' and wait, bye-bye," said Chan.
"I think this is a Hollywood where everyone say that, 'We will do a movie together.' I wait and then suddenly he really calls and says, 'Karate Kid.' I say 'Ok, I'm the Karate Kid' and he says 'No, you're the Miyagi.' I forget my age and ask who is the Karate Kid and he says my son."
Many stars of the original film were at the premiere, including the original "Karate Kid" Ralph Macchio.
"We've all been that kid at sometime that felt on the outside of it needing some guidance and wishing we had some magical mentor that could point us in the right direction in overcoming obstacles and self empowerment. That is the beauty of that story and told with an East meets West in philosophies and it doesn't offend anyone unless you are a bully," said the 50-year-old Macchio.
"The Karate Kid" opens on June 11. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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