In the golden era of Hong Kong martial arts films, action stars painted legends of the jianghu (martial world) with their flying fists and flashing blades. Today, as technology makes quantum leaps, AI is quietly reshaping the essence of kung fu, giving birth to an entirely new martial realm delineated by algorithms.
On June 19, the launch ceremony for the "Kung Fu Film Heritage Project: AI Revitalization of 100 Classics" was held at the Shanghai International Film Festival. At the event, Tian Ming, Chairman of Shanghai Canxing Culture & Media Co., Ltd, issued an open invitation to the world's top AI animation companies.
Preserving heritage through cutting-edge technology
Zhang Pimin, chairman of the China Film Foundation, delivered the opening remarks. He stated that from Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan, from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Wolf Warrior, generations of kung fu films have showcased the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people to the world. Today, AI and other cutting-edge technologies are bringing unprecedented opportunities and transformations to the film industry.
"Using AI to reinvent kung fu cinema represents an innovative exploration aligned with this trend," he said. Through the Kung Fu Film Heritage Project, the initiative aims to empower culture with technology and revitalize classics through AI, thereby further enhancing the quality and international influence of Chinese martial arts films.
First batch of ten iconic IPs backed by 100 million yuan fund
Tian emphasized that AI is merely a "new paintbrush" - the true core remains human creativity and contemporary interpretations of Eastern storytelling. In addition to opening up 100 classic Hong Kong kung fu films for creative adaptation, to accelerate implementation, Canxing has initially selected ten of the most influential masterpieces, including:
- A Better Tomorrow
- Swordsman
- Once Upon a Time in China
- King of Beggars
- Police Story
- Project A
- Fist of Fury
- Once a Thief
- My Father Is a Hero
- A Chinese Ghost Story
These films will undergo comprehensive upgrades across three key dimensions: image restoration, character redesign, and animated reinterpretation. Simultaneously, the original assets will be made available to global AI studios for reference and utilization. A larger film library will be unlocked in subsequent phases.
Tian further guaranteed, "Full IP licensing for 100 kung fu films, with massive amounts of film material freely available for use." Moreover, Canxing will invest 100 million yuan to participate in funding select projects, sharing in profit distribution, guaranteeing co-branding rights, and opening channels for derivative creative development.
"AI is a new weapon"
At the event, renowned martial arts star Yu Rongguang was invited to speak. Drawing from his journey of beginning martial arts training at age six and becoming an action actor, he reflected on the evolution of Chinese kung fu cinema.
"In the early days of martial arts training, masters would physically discipline their students. Even during the golden age of kung fu films when I was fortunate enough to break through, we had to risk our lives to create movies that would be remembered forever," Yu recalled.
While acknowledging that AI cannot replace genuine martial arts skills, he believes it provides unprecedented technical support for the creation, dissemination, and preservation of kung fu films. "This represents a fusion of technology and culture, an exploration of cinema's future possibilities."
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalist: Kong Wenqiong; English Editor: Darius)
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