Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee films to be remastered using AI

(Picture Courtesy: Facebook)
At the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, the China Film Foundation and partners launched two major AI-driven initiatives under the Kung Fu Film Heritage Project: a large-scale effort to restore 100 classic martial arts films using artificial intelligence and unveiled world's first fully AI-produced animated feature film, reported Variety.
As per the outlet, the restoration project aims to digitally remaster 100 landmark kung fu films, using AI to enhance image, sound, and overall production quality while preserving the storytelling and aesthetic of the originals.
The organisers described the initiative as a long-term commitment to reviving Chinese martial arts cinema's cultural and cinematic legacy.
"From
Bruce Lee
to
Jackie Chan
, from 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' to 'Wolf Warrior,' these films have shown the world the vitality and spirit of the Chinese people.
They are our cinematic calling cards to the world," said China Film Foundation chair Zhang Qilin as quoted by Variety.
As per the outlet, the titles set for AI restoration include 'Fist of Fury,' 'The Big Boss,' 'Once Upon a Time in China,' and 'Drunken Master,' among others.
The Canxing Media chair Tian Ming confirmed that ten of the 100 films will be prioritised in the first phase of development under this restoration project, reported Variety.
Separately, on the same night, the China Film Foundation unveiled a brand-new animated feature, 'A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border,' billed as the world's first fully AI-produced animated feature film.
This cyberpunk reinterpretation of the director John Woo crime classic is produced by Quantum Animation. The film was created using a full-stack AI pipeline, covering everything from scripting and modelling to animation and rendering.
"This entire animated feature was made by just 30 people. AI has collapsed the barrier between creativity and execution. The production cycle has gone from years to months," said producer Zhang Qing.
Zhang also urged Chinese creators to move beyond traditional formats and expand IP into interactive forms such as globally competitive fighting games.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

Monsters and memes: Labubu dolls ride China soft-power wave

HighlightsPop Mart's Labubu monster dolls, priced around $40 and sold in blind boxes, have gained international popularity, featuring prominently among celebrities like Rihanna and Cher, and contributing to a positive image of Chinese cultural exports. The rise of Labubu and other Chinese brands is attributed to the influence of social media platforms like TikTok, which have helped shift perceptions of China's image among young Western consumers. Experts suggest that while plush toys alone may not enhance China's political power, they do foster a growing interest in Chinese culture, particularly among younger generations, as evidenced by the enthusiasm for Labubu in various countries. Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart 's Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher. Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of a "cool" China even in places associated more with negative public opinion of Beijing such as Europe and North America. Labubus, which typically sell for around $40, are released in limited quantities and sold in "blind boxes", meaning buyers don't know the exact model they will receive. The dolls are "a bit quirky and ugly and very inclusive, so people can relate", interior designer Lucy Shitova told AFP at a Pop Mart store in London, where in-person sales of Labubus have been suspended over fears that fans could turn violent in their quest for the toys. "Now everything goes viral... because of social media. And yes, it's cool. It's different." While neighbouring East Asian countries South Korea and Japan are globally recognised for their high-end fashion, cinema and pop songs, China's heavily censored film and music industry have struggled to attract international audiences, and the country's best-known clothing exporter is fast-fashion website Shein. There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products. "It has been hard for the world's consumers to perceive China as a brand-creating nation," the University of Maryland's Fan Yang told AFP. Pop Mart has bucked the trend, spawning copycats dubbed by social media users as "lafufus" and detailed YouTube videos on how to verify a doll's authenticity. Brands such as designer womenswear label Shushu/Tong, Shanghai-based Marchen and Beijing-based handbag maker Songmont have also gained recognition abroad over the past few years. "It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable," Yang said. - TikTok effect - Through viral exports like Labubu, China is "undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners," said Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting. Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China's global image "similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo". Video app TikTok -- designed by China's ByteDance -- paved the way for Labubu's ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally. Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that "TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers' minds about China". TikTok, which is officially blocked within China but still accessible with VPN software, has over one billion users, including what the company says is nearly half of the US population. The app has become a focus of national security fears in the United States, with a proposed ban seeing American TikTok users flock to another Chinese app, Rednote, where they were welcomed as digital "refugees". A conduit for Chinese social media memes and fashion trends, TikTok hosts over 1.7 million videos about Labubu. - Labubumania - Cultural exports can "improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services", CFR's Kurlantzick told AFP. "I don't know how much, if at all, this impacts images of China's state or government," he said, pointing to how South Korea's undeniable soft power has not translated into similar levels of political might. While plush toys alone might not translate into actual power, the United States' chaotic global image under the Trump presidency could benefit perceptions of China, the University of Maryland's Yang said. "The connection many make between the seeming decline of US soft power and the potential rise in China's global image may reflect how deeply intertwined the two countries are in the minds of people whose lives are impacted by both simultaneously," she told AFP. At the very least, Labubu's charms appear to be promoting interest in China among the younger generation. "It's like a virus. Everyone just wants it," Kazakhstani mother-of-three Anelya Batalova told AFP at Pop Mart's theme park in Beijing. Qatari Maryam Hammadi, 11, posed for photos in front of a giant Labubu statue. "In our country, they love Labubu," she said. "So, when they realise that the origin of Labubu is in China, they'd like to come to see the different types of Labubu in China."

News18

an hour ago

• News18

Coldplay To Re-release Albums On Eco-Friendly Vinyl Made From Recycled Plastic Bottles

Coldplay To Re-release Albums On Eco-Friendly Vinyl Made From Recycled Plastic Bottles | SHOWBIZ Last Updated: June 20, 2025, 20:15 IST Movies Videos Coldplay is re-releasing nine of their previous albums on vinyl records made from recycled plastic bottles. These special EcoRecord LPs are said to reduce carbon emissions by up to 85% compared to traditional vinyl. Watch this video to know more. bollywood news | entertainment news live | latest bollywood news | bollywood | news18 | n18oc_moviesLiked the video? Please press the thumbs up icon and leave a comment. Subscribe to Showsha YouTube channel and never miss a video: Showsha on Instagram: Showsha on Facebook: Showsha on X: Showsha on Snapchat: entertainment and lifestyle news and updates on: homevideos Coldplay To Re-release Albums On Eco-Friendly Vinyl Made From Recycled Plastic Bottles | SHOWBIZ CNN name, logo and all associated elements ® and © 2024 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, LP LLLP, displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them. © Copyright Network18 Media and Investments Ltd 2024. All rights reserved.

News18

3 hours ago

• News18

Here Is Why Simone Ashley's Role In F1 Did Not Make It To The Final Cut

In the sports drama F1, Simone Ashley was cast in an important supporting role and the announcement of her being a part of the film was made last year. Simone Ashley's character in the upcoming sports drama F1 was expected to be her big breakthrough role. In an unexpected development, it has now emerged that her entire role has been edited out of the film. Joseph Kosinski, the director of the Brad Pitt starrer, revealed that her role did not make it to the final cut. During the same chat, he also expressed his wish to work with the actress again. In an interview with People, Joseph Kosinski said, 'It happens on every film, where you have to shoot more than you can use. There were two or three storylines that ultimately didn't make it into the final cut." Further, the filmmaker lauded Simone, calling her 'an incredible talent, incredible actress, incredible singer." Moving ahead, he also expressed his wish to collaborate with Simone again as he added, 'I would love to work with her again." Simone Ashley's popularity skyrocketed after her role in Netflix shows Sex Education and Bridgerton. In the sports drama F1, she was cast in an important supporting role and the announcement of her being a part of the film was made last year. However, the first teaser and trailer of the film had no glimpses of Simone and fans were quick to notice her absence. In July 2024, Variety confirmed Simone Ashley's involvement in Joseph Kosinski's F1. The actress was spotted shooting at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit in Northampton, England and the details about her role in the film were under wraps. Earlier this year, in May, Simone Ashley spoke to Elle about her experience of working in the most anticipated film. She said, 'I have a very small part, but I'm grateful to be in that movie. I got to experience many Grand Prix. I don't think I'll ever do anything like that again." While it seems Simone Ashley will not be seen in FI, the actress is yet to comment on the development. Set against the thrilling backdrop of Formula One, the high-octane drama will be released in theatres on June 27.