Jackie Chan Impressed by Will Smith’s Son
Will Smith’s son impressed Jackie Chan with his dedication during the filming of The Karate Kid.
Jaden Smith, 11, assumes his first leading role in the film – a remake of the 1984 cult movie – and Jackie insists the youngster was an eager student not only on set, but when learning about the entire filmmaking process. He said: “He took the training very seriously. I was very impressed with him. Jaden had a lot of respect for me as his teacher, even off the set. “He is as professional as many adult actors who have been in the business for years.”
Martial arts legend Jackie Chan, 55, plays maintenance man Mr. Han in the film, who befriends Jaden Smith’s character, Dre Parker, after he moves to China. Filming for the film took place in locations, including the Great Wall of China, where Jackie Chan and the film’s fight coordinator Master Wu were able to impart some valuable lessons to Jaden Smith.
Jaden Smith told People magazine: “I trained every day for four months with Master Wu. We did a lot of stretching, and Jackie taught me to ask, ‘My left or camera left?’ That helped.” Jaden Smith’s newly learned lessons have continued into the young actor’s home life too, according to Jackie Chan. He added: “His dad told me that Jaden had changed. When he takes his shoes off, he doesn’t throw them in the corner, but puts them away neatly!”
