Will Smith's Son Lands Coveted Karate Kid Role

by Jennifer Jordan (Subscribe to Jennifer Jordan's posts) Nov 12th 2008 3:01PM

Categories: Kids 8-11, Money & Work, Fun & Activities, Celeb Kids, Celeb Parenting, Media, That's Entertainment, Extreme Childhood

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Jaden Smith may have landed the role of a lifetime. Will Smith's ten-year-old son is set to star in a remake of the 80's classic flick The Karate Kid.

Now, some of you may poo-poo yet another remake, especially of a movie (and its two sequels, one of which launched the career of Hilary Swank) so beloved by our teenaged selves, but I for one am excited to see this remake. Perhaps it's because I am nostalgic for a simpler time when a montage sequence wasn't seen as merely filler, but I'm also curious to see if little Jaden can act. Given the rest of his talented family--mom is Jada Pinkett Smith--I'm hoping those genes filtered through to the next generation of Smiths.

Jaden's sister Willow Smith has already had a taste of the acting bug, starring alongside her dad in the hit I Am Legend. Actually, now that I think about it, Jaden starred alongside pap Will in The Pursuit of Happyness, but I didn't see it. So, those of you who saw the flick will have to fill me in as to whether or not Jaden is rad enough to fill Ralph Machio's shoes!

Famous Kids, Famous Parents

Jaden Smith

The 10-year-old son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith is set to star in a movie being made just for him: a remake of "Karate Kid." Jaden had his feature debut opposite his dad in "The Pursuit of Happyness."

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Miley Cyrus

The daughter of country music star Billy Ray Cyrus.

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Ben Stiller

Son of comedians Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller.

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Angelina Jolie

Daughter of actors Jon Voigt and the late Marcheline Bertrand.

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Kiefer Sutherland

Son of actors Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas.

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Kate Hudson

Daughter of Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson, but raised by Hawn's longtime partner, Kurt Russell, whom she considers her father.

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Freddie Prinze, Jr.

Son of the late "Chico and the Man" star Freddie Prinze.

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Sofia Coppola

Director-daughter of director-father Francis Ford Coppola.

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Colin Hanks

The eldest son of Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and his first wife, the late producer and actress Samantha Lewes.

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Mariska Hargitay

Daughter of an original blond bombshell, actress Jayne Mansfield, and Mr. Universe 1955 Miklós "Mickey" Hargitay.

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Comments (65)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

supermansmom 11-13-2008 @ 12:58AM

Watch The Pursuit of Happyness and you'll see his acting talents. It definitely runs in the family! I have no doubts that he will do well in his latest role!

dayday 11-13-2008 @ 9:29PM

I loved Jaden in The Suite life of zack abd cody.I watch the fresh prince of belair everyday because i loce will smith i cant wait to see Jaden in Karate Kid-p.s i love Pursiut of Happiness

bremarie03 11-14-2008 @ 12:51PM

Is this a remake or a sequel? Because he seems a little young if it's intended to be a remake. Daniel LaRusso was 15/16 years old in the original movie.

Brenda 11-15-2008 @ 6:36AM

I think Jaden will do just fine as the Karate Kid. He sure needs something done to his hair.

shelia 11-16-2008 @ 5:22PM

I agree, something needs to be done with the hair!

Lucy 11-16-2008 @ 5:02PM

What's wrong with his hair... He's adorable. Too young for the role unless it's going to be a prequel.

Cheryl 11-15-2008 @ 8:40AM

I thought he was great in the persuit of happiness and I'm sure he's going to be a good actor but Isn't he a little young to be playing Karate Kid what made the original so good was they were set in their teens. Not a movie I'd want to see and I think they are just focusing on a real young audience which I'm not sure is a good idea. Wait about five years or so and make it but you become the Karate Kid at ten years old.... A little far fetch.

Victor 11-15-2008 @ 9:39AM

why not give some poor kid a break instead of indulging these rich little boys and girls

Gina 11-15-2008 @ 9:37AM

Not surprising since Will Smith is directing and producing the film...

Brett 11-15-2008 @ 9:54AM

Weren't there three Karate Kid sequels. I think there were two sequels even before the Hilary Swank version. And do we really need a remake of this franchise, anyway?

Lissa 11-15-2008 @ 10:03AM

Please tell me how a 10 year old is going to remake the "karate kid"-I mean, I understand the "kid" part in the title, but you can't really remake the teenager struggle and the romance part with a child.

srf22204 11-15-2008 @ 10:13AM

in the business world this kind of nepotism wouldn't be tolerated. Why not give some poor kid a chance?

Pete 11-15-2008 @ 10:30AM

All I have to say is...GIVE ME A BREAK.
Now, let me explain....
I was ( and still am) a fan of the saga of Daniel-san, and Mr Miaggi. ( although, I have to admit the "Next" movie left something to be desired), the thought of yet another rehash, in a world filled with retooling someone else's work leaves me cold.
Jaden comes from a very talented gene pool, and I am betting that, between Jada and Will, they could come up with a vehicle for their son's talent.
Over the past couple of years, we have seen sooo many ( in my mind TOO MANY) remakes, making me question if there are any original thoughts left in Hollywood.

rob 11-15-2008 @ 10:52AM

what a surprise..another kid of a show biz star "breaks" into the business...100000 wannabes with talent and all this kid has to do is be a relation..totally UNFAIR...do u realize most of those 100000 wannabes cant even get their foot in the door? i suppose years from now the kid will say how its harder when your parent is in the biz...bulldinky.....will smith stinks anyway..

Johanna 11-15-2008 @ 10:56AM

NEPOTISM

AngelFoodLisa 11-15-2008 @ 11:17AM

I can't believe you havn't see the Pursuit of Happyness!! It is an amazing story. You really must rent it!!!!!

chris 11-15-2008 @ 11:40AM

I'm so sick of Hollywood actor being an inherited title! We may never know how many great actors never got the chance to shine because of this nepotism. I never go to movies anymore.

chuck 11-15-2008 @ 11:47AM

After years of people like Drew Barrymore completely ruining any movie she is in, I would think they would look for the BEST actor rather than constantly indulging in nepotism.

lynn 11-15-2008 @ 12:07PM

this is going to sound totally racist, but it seems like every remake now a days is made with a "african american" actor or actress, and not all but most take something nice and turn it not so nice. bring on the coments, even if the ones that agree but don't have the guts to say so.

K S 11-15-2008 @ 12:29PM

Actually, you are quite right. Remember "The Honeymooners".
'Nuff said.

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