David Leitch, celebrated for his work on John Wick, Deadpool 2, and Bullet Train, is currently developing a reboot film adaptation of the 1970s martial arts drama Kung Fu. Recently, Leitch revealed to Collider that the project is progressing with Donnie Yen poised to lead.
Amid promoting his latest film, The Fall Guy, Leitch shared insights into the Kung Fu reboot, emphasising his passion for martial arts and excitement about collaborating with Yen. The project is in the development phase, with Leitch aiming to transform it into a major international franchise.
“I’m obviously really passionate about both those things. And you know, kung fu, martial arts is a huge part of my life, has been since I was a kid. I’m a huge fan of Donnie and his work and his films. And so the potential of that is really, really interesting. We’re in the development phase with Donnie, and it’s really exciting, and it just feels like a big international franchise potential with Donnie as Caine. So I’m really excited about it, but again, it’s in development, and we’re making it happen.”
Leitch’s involvement in the Kung Fu reboot was first announced last month, with the film expected to feature Yen as the iconic Kwai Chang Caine. The original series, known for its blend of Eastern philosophy and Western drama, starred David Carradine as Caine, a role initially envisioned for Bruce Lee. Lee’s concept for the show, however, never saw him in the lead, leading to a notable casting controversy.
The Kung Fu series has seen various iterations over the years, including a made-for-TV movie and most recently, a CW adaptation featuring Olivia Liang as a Chinese-American woman who uses her martial arts skills and Shaolin values to keep her hometown safe. Despite these extensions, the franchise has the potential for further expansion under Leitch and Yen’s guidance.
Leitchi is also exploring the use of IMAX cameras for the reboot to capture the epic landscapes and martial arts action inherent to the Kung Fu world. While no commitment to IMAX has been made, Leitch acknowledges the format’s potential to enhance the storytelling experience.
“Well, you sort of nailed it with Kung Fu because the palette of that world and, you remember, that it’s the epic landscapes and the things that really lend themselves to IMAX are all sort of embedded in the world of Kung Fu from the original. And so that’s something that’s been sort of percolating in our heads. I’m not gonna commit to the IMAX cameras just yet, but it would be an honor always to use them because the format is amazing, and 70 millimeter is amazing. Haven’t had that opportunity yet.”
The reboot, scripted by Stephen Chin, promises a fresh take on the tale of Caine, a Shaolin monk navigating the Old West. With Leitch and Yen at the helm, the film aims to breathe new life into the storied franchise.
As Leitch prepares for the release of The Fall Guy, anticipation grows for his rendition of Kung Fu, though a release date remains pending.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
