China uses AI to revive 100 classic Kung Fu films

Chinese movie studios are plunging into the future with a bold initiative to revive more than 100 classic martial arts films using artificial intelligence.Unveiled at the Shanghai International Film Festival, the venture will digitally restore classic films featuring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li digitally, breathing new life into the classic films for modern-day viewers.The production, titled the "Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project: 100 Classics AI Revitalisation Project," will refurbish classics such as Fist of Fury (1972), Drunken Master (1978), and Once Upon a Time in China (1991).advertisement
The goal is to enhance the visuals, sound, and overall quality—without altering the original stories or characters.One standout remake is John Woo's blockbuster A Better Tomorrow (1986), which is being reimagined as a fully animated, AI-produced movie. The role originally played by Chow Yun-fat will be rebooted in a cyberpunk setting. Producers claim it will be the world's first fully AI-generated animated feature film.Zhang Pimin, president of the China Film Foundation, called the venture both a tribute to the history of cinema and a leap toward the future.'These films are gems,' he said. 'AI will make them relevant to audiences today in a new way.'As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Tian Ming, president of Shanghai Canxing Culture and Media, pledged that the project would stay true to the originals while delivering an enhanced viewing experience. The project is backed by a 100 million yuan budget (approximately $13.9 million).Must Watch

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

India Today

4 hours ago

• India Today

China uses AI to revive 100 classic Kung Fu films

Chinese movie studios are plunging into the future with a bold initiative to revive more than 100 classic martial arts films using artificial at the Shanghai International Film Festival, the venture will digitally restore classic films featuring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li digitally, breathing new life into the classic films for modern-day production, titled the "Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project: 100 Classics AI Revitalisation Project," will refurbish classics such as Fist of Fury (1972), Drunken Master (1978), and Once Upon a Time in China (1991).advertisement The goal is to enhance the visuals, sound, and overall quality—without altering the original stories or standout remake is John Woo's blockbuster A Better Tomorrow (1986), which is being reimagined as a fully animated, AI-produced movie. The role originally played by Chow Yun-fat will be rebooted in a cyberpunk setting. Producers claim it will be the world's first fully AI-generated animated feature Pimin, president of the China Film Foundation, called the venture both a tribute to the history of cinema and a leap toward the future.'These films are gems,' he said. 'AI will make them relevant to audiences today in a new way.'As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Tian Ming, president of Shanghai Canxing Culture and Media, pledged that the project would stay true to the originals while delivering an enhanced viewing experience. The project is backed by a 100 million yuan budget (approximately $13.9 million).Must Watch

Hindustan Times

9 hours ago

• Hindustan Times

James Gunn's Superman set to soar at US box office with $135 million opening: Early tracking

James Gunn's Superman is projected to rake in $135 million at the U.S. box office, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter. With three weeks remaining until its July 11 release, early tracking numbers place the highly anticipated DC film firmly among the studio's top openers. If the current projection holds, Superman would secure a strong debut—though still short of 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which opened at $166 million. It would, however, outpace 2013's Man of Steel, which launched with $116 million. According to data from National Research Group (NRG) accessed by The Hollywood Reporter, the tracking range lies between $125 million and $145 million. DC Studios and Warner Bros. insiders are reportedly setting expectations slightly lower, estimating between $90 million and $125 million. Social media momentum has led some box office analysts to forecast an even higher opening—up to $175 million. If that materializes, Gunn's reboot would become the biggest DC debut to date, surpassing Batman v Superman and edging out Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy. The film marks the first original release under James Gunn and Peter Safran's leadership of DC Studios. With the franchise undergoing a complete reset, the success of Superman will likely set the tone for its future. David Corenswet leads the cast as Clark Kent, opposite Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Also starring are Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, Edi Gathegi, and Isabela Merced. The storyline reintroduces Superman's origin with modern updates—including the fan-favourite Krypto the Superdog. What is the release date for James Gunn's Superman?It is scheduled to release in North America on July 11, 2025. How much is Superman projected to earn at the U.S. box office?Early tracking places the film's domestic debut at $135 million. Who stars in the new Superman movie?David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult headline the cast. Who plays Superman in the film?David Corenswet takes on the role of Clark Kent/Superman.

India Gazette

15 hours ago

• India Gazette

"Legend of Zang Hai" adds to surging popularity of C-dramas worldwide

by Xinhua writers Cao Pengyuan and Yang Qi BEIJING, June 19 (Xinhua) -- With its ads displayed on digital billboards in cities such as Tokyo and Bangkok, and its views climbing on video-streaming portals like Disney+, "Legend of Zang Hai" is the latest example of a Chinese TV series making inroads into the global market. Featuring a star-studded cast led by Chinese mega-popular actor Xiao Zhan and renowned director Zheng Xiaolong, "Legend of Zang Hai" revolves around the protagonist Zang Hai's pursuit of revenge years after his family was murdered and his quest for justice amid Machiavellian struggles in the fictitious dynasty of Da Yong. Since its release on May 18, "Legend of Zang Hai" has not only become a domestic hit across the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, but has also been aired to audiences in over 190 countries and regions in the world, via online platforms such as Youku and Disney+. During its premiere week, the drama swept popular TV charts of countries such as Singapore and Malaysia, and trended on social media in Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt, Ukraine, India and some other countries. According to data-monitoring platform Beacon, as of June 18, "Legend of Zang Hai" had garnered more than 2.2 billion views, constantly leading the platform's daily broadcast chart during its month-long run. On the international rating and review platform IMDb, "Legend of Zang Hai" scored a peak 9.5 out of 10 points in terms of its overall rating and stabilized at the current 8.8 points. "The show is brilliantly crafted, with stunning visuals and smart storytelling that keeps you hooked. Every episode is packed with twists, suspense and emotional depth," one of the most-liked reviews on IMDb stated. Besides the appeal of its overarching story and audiovisual techniques, this drama also integrates a series of traditional heritage elements throughout its scenes -- presenting these in a seamless and realistic manner. According to a rough tally, the drama features 18 types of traditional cultural heritage, like centuries-old puppetry, mortise and tenon techniques, embroidery, wood carving, lantern shows, Kunqu Opera and more. "Although 'Legend of Zang Hai' is a drama set in a fictional context, the creative team has always adhered to the principle of realism in its production, and strove to be genuine and credible in every detail," said the drama's chief director Zheng. In addition, mysterious traditional elements, such as geomancy and astrology featured in the drama, have also intrigued overseas viewers, sparking cross-cultural discussions among both viewers and media commentators. "It is very rare to come across a script as perfect and engaging as this, with an engaging yet logical and tight storytelling only that, it also applies the beauty of Eastern culture, such as feng shui, construction, burial, astrology, puppetry, shadow plays, etc.," commented an IMDb reviewer who gave the drama a perfect score. "For fans of epic historical dramas with soul, this is a must-watch. And for those unfamiliar with Chinese television, 'Legend of Zang Hai' is the perfect gateway -- a show that proves great storytelling transcends language and borders," said another on IMDb. Beyond traditional viewership, the suspense drama has sparked a "co-creation" phenomenon. Fans actively participate in the narrative through social media analysis, fan fiction, and detailed breakdowns of the plot and symbolism, turning passive audiences into engaged collaborators. A viewer noted, "I kept discussing with my friends and checking comment sections and social networks while watching the show -- every episode became a group investigation." With ever-improving quality in terms of both content creation and production, China's television dramas, often abbreviated as C-dramas on video platforms, have gained a growing fan base worldwide over recent years. In 2024, Chinese costume drama "The Double," which focuses on the female protagonist's romance and revenge story, was released on streaming platforms such as Netflix, garnering approximately 200 million views overseas and securing an 8.2-point IMDb rating. Featuring unique eastern aesthetics, another costume drama, "Love Between Fairy and Devil," has made a splash on overseas platforms like Reddit since its global release back in 2022. Other C-dramas such as "The Starry Love," "Till the End of the Moon," and "The Legend of Shen Li" have also generated waves of social media buzz among overseas audiences, thanks to their cultural and aesthetic depth. Earlier this year, the global reach of C-dramas was again highlighted when American punk-rock icon Patti Smith praised young Chinese actor Wang Xingyue for his performance in costume comedy "Perfect Match." "A great show. You are a wonderful artist," she wrote, while punctuating her comment with four clapping emojis.