“Kung Fu” is coming to the big screen.
The ’70s TV series — about a Shaolin monk who used his martial arts skills to fight baddies in the Wild West — recently was assigned a new director for an upcoming movie adaptation, Variety reported. (It’s “One Last Dance” director Max Makowski, in case you were wondering.)
The project doesn’t have its star yet, but the news got RedEye thinking: Who is Hollywood’s ultimate fighter? Take a look at our mini-tournament of fury, with top seeds Jet Li and Jackie Chan with first-round byes. See if you agree.
ROUND 1
3. JASON STATHAM
He kicks butt in: The “Transporter” movies
VS
6. MILLA JOVOVICH
She kicks butt in: The “Resident Evil” movies
WINNER: Statham. Jovovich uses too much firepower for our taste. We’ll take Statham’s knuckles and wingtips.
4. STEPHEN CHOW
He kicks butt in: “Kung Fu Hustle”
VS
5. TONY JAA
He kicks butt in: “Ong-bak: The Thai Warrior”
WINNER: Tough call, but Jaa gets the nod for his crazy stunt work and legs of steel. Chow gets props for his sense of humor, though.
ROUND 2
1. JET LI
He kicks butt in: “Hero,” “War”
VS
5. TONY JAA
WINNER: Jet Li wins running away. When you can take apart Mel Gibson’s gun with your bare hands (“Lethal Weapon 4”), you’re a badass.
2. JACKIE CHAN
He kicks butt in: “Rumble in the Bronx”
VS
3. JASON STATHAM
WINNER: In another upset, we’re picking Statham. Chan is the master of the physically impossible, but Statham takes down a room full of henchmen with a fire hose in “Transporter 2.” What’s not to love?
FINAL ROUND
1. JET LI
VS
3. JASON STATHAM
ULTIMATE FIGHTER
FINAL ANSWER: Li. He’s got the cool name, the crazy moves and the star power. He’s the kind of fighter you’d buy the DVD just to watch a second time. And a third. And so on.
