First Look: Will Smith's son Jaden is the New Karate Kid  
By Paul Chi  


Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan
Photo by Jasin Boland

The boy's got chops! 

Learning the moves of a true martial arts fighter, Will Smith's youngest son Jaden Smith is proving he has what it takes when he stars opposite Jackie Chan in a remake of the 1984 classic, The Karate Kid, due in theaters June 11. 

"I trained every day for four months with Master Wu [the film's fight coordinator]," Jaden, 11, tells PEOPLE as he takes on his first leading role as an American boy named Dre Parker who moves to China. "We did a lot of stretching." 

Jaden mastered front kicks and upper blocks through his hard work ethic and dedication, says Chan, 55, who plays maintenance man Mr. Han – an unlikely friend to Jaden's character. "He took the training very seriously. I was very impressed with him," he adds. 

While filming in Beijing, including atop the Great Wall of China, Chan was more than a martial arts mentor to his young costar. "Jackie taught me to ask, 'My left or camera left?'" says Jaden on learning the important directions of acting in front of the movie camera. "That helped." 

As the two stars built a dynamic relationship on screen, the teacher and student bond translated into real life. "Jaden had a lot of respect for me as his teacher, even off the set," says Chan. "He is professional as many adult actors who have been in the business for years." 

And, as Jaden became a true karate kid, he realized that there is more to martial arts than just the kicking and punching – there are lasting lessons of obedience to be instilled. In fact Jaden's parents appreciate the discipline he learned. "His dad told me that Jaden had changed," says Chan. "When he takes his shoes off, he doesn't throw them in the corner, but puts them away neatly!"




© 2009 People.com

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kathryn sandif
posted on Friday, Dec 09, 2011
jackie listen I didnt get the chance to see the karate kid because it was already out on DVD so I might get it for christmas i have paid it myself im going to love your film with your best friend jaden smith i will call you if you have the chance to have a day off from work thankyou from kathryn sandiford
lee jeffs
posted on Thursday, Mar 31, 2011
love your work jackie the best ever to grace our screens not many actors does their own stunts aswell as jackie my hero of the screens and long may you live to entertain
Jackie
posted on Thursday, Mar 24, 2011
i love every movie you've made i've watched almost all of them. your my favorite actor, and idol.
Funsterbuzz
posted on Monday, Jan 31, 2011
Hey Jackie, I totally like KARATE KID!!!!!! Wicked!!!!! *****
huoi
posted on Monday, Jan 24, 2011
hi
annie
posted on Wednesday, Jul 14, 2010
Hi Jackie: well once again you left me fully mesmerized with your remake of the Karate Kid. I saw it three time & each time I saw it,----- it left me wanting to see it again & again. Never a dull moment. The scenery along w/the great wall was breath taking. As soon as this movie comes out on the dvd I will be one of the first to buy it, better make it two because after watching the first one about a hundred times I'll have the second one ready to go. I love all your movies & have all your books. Like the dvd's I watch over & over I also read your books several times over. I'm glad & proud to be a true fan of yours U R a remarkable role model as prayers go God Bless you always a caring fan
-=sniper=-
posted on Wednesday, Jun 16, 2010
why is there no bloopers atthe end of the movie what jackie you did make any mistakes or stuff ups wow that a first Laugh out loud love the movie great movie make you laugh makes you cry
dushnie
posted on Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010
hi
ahmed fareedi
posted on Saturday, Feb 13, 2010
ilove you kacki chan
ahmed fareedi
posted on Saturday, Feb 13, 2010
ilove your fiting style jacki chan
ahmed fareedi
posted on Saturday, Feb 13, 2010
jacki chan your a worold.s best actor and your fiting style is verry funny plese give me one chanc in your film your world.s best stunt man plese tech me yiur fiting
Shehzad Bukhari
posted on Saturday, Jan 23, 2010
Jackie is best I need to learn from Jackie Chinese Martial Arts..?
aline
posted on Friday, Jan 22, 2010
i love your move jackie
sally
posted on Friday, Jan 01, 2010
this photo not good please chang it
Hmong Thong Hur
posted on Monday, Dec 21, 2009
hi Jackie, i really love your movie, yeah,, i can say that you are so smart and kind. i want to meet you over my eyes once in my lifetime.. I live in developing country, so i really have no chance to watch your movies as much as possible. However, i enjoy your action on movie a lots, especially, your help in your country.
maria
posted on Sunday, Dec 13, 2009
Jackie I'm really happy, I read in an Italian newspaper reported that your kung fu kid movie will be released in Italian cinemas August 20, 2010. . You can not imagine my joy, now I hope to see here in Italy even The Spy Next Door, Little Big Soldier,and Shinjuku Incident. Baci maria
chelsea
posted on Thursday, Dec 10, 2009
i think that will smith's son appearing in a movie with Jackie Chan will be one to watch!! will totally be seeing it!!!
ROWMEKIA PERKIN
posted on Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009
hi may god bless you jaden & i hope you continue to keep up the good work. rowmekia
y
posted on Monday, Dec 07, 2009
hello Jackie Allow me to congratulate you Not for your business But on the light that radiates from your face This means that you are a good man Sorry I have weak English language I would like to send to tell you something important Do you allow me know your email address? Thank you for everything
Kawika
posted on Monday, Dec 07, 2009
That is so cool Jackie. I wish i could learn from you!
Nisha
posted on Monday, Dec 07, 2009
Oh Jackie You really rocks & u r the role model to every individuals. You r not only an actor apart from that u r a good human being.
Joseph
posted on Monday, Dec 07, 2009
The leaders of tomorrow are in the children of this generation.Chan i love u
ataa akbari
posted on Sunday, Dec 06, 2009
Hi,jackie It's good to see kids are going to be a jackie chan,but I think you should have less sex parts in your movies because it effect the kids and it ruins your simbolic character that kids love it! I wish bests for you & Jaden!!!
zahid
posted on Sunday, Dec 06, 2009
both the name starts with 'J'...hope the pair will do more fun..best of luck :)
maria
posted on Saturday, Dec 05, 2009
Jackie I'm really happy, I read in an Italian newspaper reported that your kung fu kid movie will be released in Italian cinemas August 20, 2010. . You can not imagine my joy, now I hope to see here in Italy even The Spy Next Door, Little Big Soldier,and Shinjuku Incident. Baci maria
MELVA SANCHEZ
posted on Saturday, Dec 05, 2009
I LOVE U JAKIE CHAN
bob
posted on Saturday, Dec 05, 2009
jaden does not interest me at all, jacky has to be the protagonist
NK
posted on Saturday, Dec 05, 2009
I really want to see this movie..!!
justin
posted on Saturday, Dec 05, 2009
this movie is going to so cool Will Smith's son playing with my favorite guy Jackie Chan. This movie is just like that old Kung fu Movie Karate kid
neelam
posted on Saturday, Dec 05, 2009
hi..... r u really gud? how it is possible .
jonoomin
posted on Friday, Dec 04, 2009
hi,met to see you.
PETER RODRIGUEZ
posted on Friday, Dec 04, 2009
HI JACKIE MY NAME I PETER, A LOVE YOUR STYLE, (KUNG FU), I NEED KNOW SOMTHING, DO YOU PRACTIC KUN FU SHAOLIN IN THE TEPLE?
Jordan Robinson
posted on Friday, Dec 04, 2009
Wow man this is gonna be great jackie i just wanted to let uya know iv been a fan sence i was 6 years old i think this movie will be sumthin worth waitin for
Terry
posted on Friday, Dec 04, 2009
He is on his way in being the best if he takes acting with Jackie Chan
Terry
posted on Friday, Dec 04, 2009
I think he has a lot of potenshal with one of the best martial arts directors out there
veera
posted on Thursday, Dec 03, 2009
hi
Leah Ran
posted on Thursday, Dec 03, 2009
i like you~~very much ~~jackie chan DADA`
Ram(india)
posted on Thursday, Dec 03, 2009
Hi jackie can u please make a sequel to tuxedo
abdulla
posted on Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009
werey nice
enis
posted on Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009
hi jackie!i am a children from albania.i am 13 years old.iam a big fans of you.i hope you will be a new film from you.buy!
From Russia wit
posted on Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009
You are sunnyman! Will forever!
Radek
posted on Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009
Smile :D
Chen-Chen
posted on Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009
Looking forward to the movie. Truly nice to see how Jackie is such a great influence and role model for the younger actors.
dennis de jesus
posted on Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009
i wish i could work for you jc! im a pinoy! i have heard from pinoy friends that u r a great boss! a good man! im willing to work hard and get on a strenous activities.. my email ad is, denz_edj@yahoo.com
dennis de jesus
posted on Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009
i wish i could work for you jc! im a pinoy! i have heard from pinoy friends that u r a great boss! a good man! im willing to work hard and get on a strenous activities.. my email ad is, denz_edj@yahoo.com
Kay
posted on Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009
Maybe the good life values of this movie, could lead to a sequel of movies. As the boy becomes a man, learning more of life.
JW
posted on Monday, Nov 30, 2009
Jackie!!!! Your movies are great!!! Are you going to film Rush Hour 4?
Robyn
posted on Monday, Nov 30, 2009
GREAT article!