you’ve got to be kidding me

There are some icons that just shouldn’t be touched.

Karate Kid is one of them.

I loved that movie back in the ’80s — I still remember seeing it in the theaters in elementary school — and I still love it. The sequels? Well, the second one was okay, but I could’ve done without the others — especially the Hilary Swank one.

I’m not surprised that someone eventually got the idea to remake Karate Kid, since everyone seems intent on re-imagining the cult classics of the ’80s and ’90s. (The next generation of 90210, anyone?) But in China? And with a 10-year-old?

Seriously?

I think it’s very safe to say I’ll be passing this one up.

Will Smith’s Son to Remake Karate Kid
From Usmagazine.com

Will Smith’s son, Jaden, will appear in a remake of Karate Kid, written just for him.

The 10-year-old – who’s currently a martial arts practitioner – starred with his dad in 2006’s The Pursuit of Happyness.

The script, which is still being written, will be similar to the 1984 franchise, in which a bullied kid learns to stand up for himself with the help of his quirky karate coach, according to Variety.

But instead of Hawaii, the flick will be filmed in Beijing, China, in 2009. No release date is set.

Dad Will is to serve as producer.

The presidents of Columbia Pictures told Variety they wanted to resurrect the original film series, which starred Ralph Macchio. Hilary Swank appeared in 1994’s The Next Karate Kid.