Shanghai: AI-Enhanced ‘Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project’ Announced For 100 Titles

A collection of Chinese studios are reportedly advancing A.I -generated remasterings of as many as 100 Hong Kong martial arts and action classics. Among the 100 titles to be restored using A.I. include in part classics like Fists Of Fury, Once Upon A Time In China, and Drunken Master.

“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,” said China Film Foundation chair Zhang Qilin. “They are our cinematic calling cards to the world.”

This news out of Variety on Thursday with reports out of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival where the government-endorsed initiative, announced by Caixun Media chair, Tian Ming, was launched in part with a presentation of “A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border,” reportedly billed as the world’s first fully AI-produced animated feature film.

“AI is the brush, but creativity is the soul,” Tian said. “Classic kung fu films embody China’s spiritual backbone. We’re inviting global partners to join this cultural and technological reboot.”

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Lead image via Criterion