AI Remakes of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li's Kung Fu Classics Planned by Chinese Studios

Chinese studios are fully embracing AI, with a groundbreaking announcement that the legendary kung-fu films of Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and other martial arts icons will be reimagined using advanced artificial intelligence.

At the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 19, several Chinese film studios revealed an ambitious initiative titled the “Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project 100 Classics AI Revitalization Project,” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The project features iconic titles such as Bruce Lee’s Fists of Fury (1972), Jackie Chan’s breakthrough Drunken Master (1978), and Jet Li’s celebrated Once Upon a Time in China (1991)—films that have shaped global perceptions of martial arts cinema.

In addition to these classics, the studios plan to reimagine John Woo’s influential 1986 film A Better Tomorrow with a futuristic cyberpunk twist. This version is being touted as “the world’s first full-process, AI-produced animated feature film.”

During the event, Zhang Pimin of the China Film Foundation highlighted how AI would be used to revitalize these “aesthetic historical treasures”, transforming their visual style to align with modern cinematic expectations. He emphasized that this initiative goes beyond preservation—it's a bold step toward the future of filmmaking: “It is not only film heritage, but also a brave exploration of the innovative development of film art.”

Tian Ming, chairman of Shanghai Canxing Culture and Media and one of the project’s key partners, explained that the AI-remastered versions aim to “pay tribute to the original work” while “reshaping the visual aesthetics.” These updates promise significant improvements in image clarity, sound design, and overall production quality. To kickstart the initiative, a dedicated fund of 100 million yuan (approximately $13.9 million) has been established.

“We sincerely invite the world’s top AI animation companies to jointly start a film revolution that subverts tradition,” Tian added.

Additional collaborators include the China Film Foundation’s Film and Urban Development Special Fund and Quantum Animation, both playing pivotal roles in bringing the vision to life.

AI remains a polarizing force in the creative world. While some artists and directors—like Tim Burton—have expressed discomfort with AI-generated content, others, including filmmaker Zack Snyder, argue that creators must embrace the technology rather than resist it. Meanwhile, Netflix executives have noted that audiences are largely indifferent to the tools behind the final product—as long as the story resonates.

This project represents a major milestone in the intersection of AI and film, signaling a new era where classic cinema can be reborn through digital innovation.