We’ve known for a while that Jackie Chan and Jet Li were planning to collaborate in a first-time cinematic showdown loosely based on an ancient Chinese legend. But now we’re starting to see just how "loosely" that may be, as the pic’s first major co-star has been announced — "Sky High"’s teenage superhero, Michael Angarano.
Not to knock Angarano or anything; the kid’s got over forty screen appearances under his belt, dating back to 1995, and he’s only nineteen years old. Those roles include parts in "Lords of Dogtown," "Dear Wendy," and "Will & Grace," where he played Jack’s sperm donation-spawned son. But the "J & J Project/Kings of Kung Fu?" That’s supposed to be the coolest Jet vs. Jackie square-off since…Chan faced off with Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon." Or when Li fought himself in "The One."
The Hollywood Reporter’s got some further details on Angarano and where his character fits in: "Angarano will play a troubled 17-year-old wannabe kung fu warrior who, after a humiliating defeat at the hands of a street gang, is sent back in time to ancient China on an impossible mission to set free the imprisoned Monkey King (Li) and return to him his all-powerful staff."
Angarano in the Sundance entry "Snow Angels"
Also giving the project a decidedly fluffier feel is director Rob Minkoff, the family fare specialist who brought us "Stuart Little," "Stuart Little 2," "The Haunted Mansion," and that great segment from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" entitled "Tummy Trouble."
According to IMDB, there are a few other names officially in the cast — Chinese singer-actresses Ruby Lin and Yifei Liu.
Minkoff will work off a script adapted by John Fusco ("Young Guns," "Hidalgo") with production starting this May.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
