China Prioritizes 10 Kung Fu Classics for AI Remake

Chinese film studios, in partnership with the China Film Foundation, have launched the Kung Fu Film Heritage Project to restore and reimagine 100 classic martial arts films with AI technology. Initially, the project will prioritize AI-powered remastering of 10 iconic titles, including Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury and The Big Boss, Jackie Chan's Drunken Master, and Jet Li's Once Upon a Time in China. An AI-animated remake of John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow is also planned, billed as the world’s first fully AI-produced animated feature film. The project aims to enhance production quality while preserving the films' original aesthetics and storytelling. Supported by $13.9 million in funding, it invites participation from international AI animation companies. Organizers stress the importance of respecting the films' cultural significance amid ongoing debates over AI's role in creative industries.