AI’s Hands Reach Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan — And It’s Not as Terrible as You Think
Old-school kung fu meets new tech.
What if your favourite kung fu legends could leap off the screen with a sharper kick and a clearer punch — thanks to AI? At the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, the China Film Foundation revealed an ambitious plan to do just that: digitally resurrect 100 classic martial arts films using artificial intelligence.
According to Variety, this groundbreaking Kung Fu Film Heritage Project isn’t just about cleaning up old footage. It’s a full-scale restoration mission, enhancing image, sound, and production quality while fiercely preserving the soul of these iconic films. Imagine Fist of Fury, Drunken Master, or The Big Boss in stunning new clarity, yet still carrying the spirit that made them legendary.
Chair Zhang Qilin explained, "From Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan… these films have shown the world the vitality and spirit of the Chinese people. They are our cinematic calling cards."
With a hefty RMB 100 million ($13.9 million) budget, the first phase targets ten films for priority restoration. As Canxing Media’s Tian Ming put it, "AI is the brush, but creativity is the soul."
For fans and cinephiles alike, the project promises a spectacular reboot of a timeless genre, inviting the world to rediscover kung fu cinema’s unmatched legacy.
