The Grasshopper's Leap

The latest TV series turned feature film was one of my favorites growing up, and despite only having a 60 episode run in the 70's, if done right, Kung Fu should make a smooth transition.

The series, created by Ed Spielman, ran on ABC from 1972-1975 and tells the story of Kane (David Carradine)-a Shaolin Monk-who finds himself traveling the American West with only his skill in Kung Fu to guide him. The late great character actor Keye Luke as Master Po was my favorite second banana on the show and did some amazing work during its run.

Rumors of a Kung Fu flick have been around for years...Details of the project are of course, sketchy at this point, but as Variety's Pamela McClintock reports things seem well in hand this time out with Warner Bros.-based Legendary Pictures behind the project .

Led by Thomas Tull, Legendary has said from the outset it would take an active role in developing its own projects, in addition to co-financing and co-producing at least 25 Warner pics over a five-year period. Legendary also has a first-look distribution pact with Warners.

Warner Bros. toyed itself with the idea of making a feature based on the martial arts TV series -- which was produced by the studio's TV division -- but rights reverted back to Spielman at least five years ago.

Legendary wouldn't disclose a specific logline for the big screen version of "Kung Fu," but [President] of distribution and marketing Scott Mednick said the film would explore the events on which the TV show was based and the origins of the main characters.

Legendary has optioned a screenplay from Spielman and Howard Friedlander, also a writer on the original series.

It's nice to hear that folks behind the show have such an active part in the process. Their involvement is reassuring because it makes it less likely the flick will be a parody of its former self.