Jaden Smith is the Karate Kid
Jaden Smith made his movie debut in 2006, acting with his dad, Will Smith. This summer, Jaden gets his first starring role in a re-imagining of a classic '80s movie, The Karate Kid (rated PG). Here’s the scoop on the new Karate Kid (rated PG), which opens in theaters June 11.
Jaden plays Dre Parker, a kid from Detroit who moves to Beijing with his mom when she gets a new job (can you imagine changing to a new school halfway around the world? Scary!). At his new school, Dre gets bullied for liking a classmate, and he only knows a little karate to defend himself. Then he meets a maintenance man, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who is a secret master of kung fu. Mr. Han agrees to mentor Dre in kung fu using his unconventional teaching methods.
We caught up with Jaden to find out more about his character, his best subject in school and his book recommendations (you may have heard of them. . .).
Q: Tell us about your character in Karate Kid.
Jaden: My character’s name is Dre Parker. He has to move from his home in Detroit when his mom gets a job in China. Dre wants to be tough all the time. He tries to be the macho, tough-kid type when he goes to China. But instead he gets beats up because he likes this girl. He learns that violence is not the answer.
Q: What do you like about him?
Jaden: I liked his ability to stand up to a bully.
Q: In real life, do you think you would be friends with Dre?
Jaden: Yes, we would be friends because I like his courage. And he’s kind.
Q: Which scene was the most fun to shoot? Which scene was the hardest?
Jaden: The tournament at the end of the movie was the most fun and the hardest to shoot, because I had to constantly fight every day. It was exhausting. But it was also really cool.
Q: What is your favorite subject in school? Why?
Jaden: Math because I am amazing at it.
Q: If you were going to recommend three books to a friend, what books would you recommend?
Jaden: There’s actually four: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. The whole Twilight series [for ages 12 and up] is really good.
Jaden also has this to say to you, Splotters: “Follow your dreams.”
Great advice, Jaden!
Will you be checking out The Karate Kid? Have you ever watched the original movie? Let us know what you think in the Comments.
— Kelli, Scholastic Staffer
Photos courtesy Columbia Pictures
My mom will not let me watch th karate kid until i watch the organial one.
Comment #1 | Posted by: Abby on June 11, 2010 at 08:29 AM
cute likey likey!!!!!!!!!
Comment #2 | Posted by: misscteness on June 11, 2010 at 09:50 AM
works hard to do karate!!!
Comment #3 | Posted by: misscuteness on June 11, 2010 at 10:00 AM
I've watched the original and it was good so I hope this one will be as great. Jaden Smith sounds like a really nice kid. :)
Comment #4 | Posted by: 6belieber on June 11, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Yes I have. It was great!
Comment #5 | Posted by: Victoria on June 11, 2010 at 10:39 AM
well 2 bad for you. And that boy is cute tooo!!!
Comment #6 | Posted by: Asya on June 11, 2010 at 11:14 AM
how old is he?
He looks so young and hes read TWILIGHT!!!!
Comment #7 | Posted by: Emily on June 11, 2010 at 11:32 AM
how did you do that mode
Comment #8 | Posted by: i like you. on June 11, 2010 at 11:43 AM
wow! I think the karate kid movie is going to be awesome I have seen all three of them I think I wonder if this one will be even better I really want to see it thanks so much for the advice I will always remember that
Comment #9 | Posted by: hippydippy1234 on June 11, 2010 at 11:57 AM
oh my gosh I can't wait to see the karate kid movie thanks for the advice I will always remember that especially sense I have always wanted to follow my dreams anyway too.
Comment #10 | Posted by: hippydippy1234 on June 11, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Jaden is so cute.i have not watched his new movie yet but waiting to rent movie
Comment #11 | Posted by: miss hug on June 11, 2010 at 01:14 PM
Hey I wanna see The Karate Kid. I wanna see the new episode of Pretty Little Liars!!!
Comment #12 | Posted by: Me on June 11, 2010 at 02:49 PM
I want to see that movie soooo bad......... I cant wait to see the grapics is the movie
Comment #13 | Posted by: Me on June 11, 2010 at 02:49 PM
I wanna see the Karate Kid
Comment #14 | Posted by: Me on June 11, 2010 at 02:50 PM
I love pretty little liars and cant wait to see the new episode either
Comment #15 | Posted by: iluvcheeks2010 on June 11, 2010 at 02:58 PM
Karate Kid is probably a good movie for a family. I don't know why it is PG13 though. I would love to see this with my mom, dad and brother I think they will love it! (: DAKOTA COMMENTED
Comment #16 | Posted by: Dakota on June 11, 2010 at 03:29 PM
looks good
Comment #17 | Posted by: soccermvp on June 11, 2010 at 03:57 PM
PG13???? why?????
Comment #18 | Posted by: green is the new black on June 11, 2010 at 04:24 PM
I'm so gonna see this movie how awesome!!!!!
Comment #19 | Posted by: ladygurl123 on June 11, 2010 at 06:42 PM
i it starstruck i love you Jaden so much you are cuter then Justin bieber
Comment #20 | Posted by: starstruck on June 11, 2010 at 06:51 PM
Why is it called Karate kid if he lives in CHINA and does kung fu?
Comment #21 | Posted by: micah on June 11, 2010 at 06:57 PM
I watched the movie and it is really good and Jaden Smith is very cute i like!!
Comment #22 | Posted by: chocolatetv on June 11, 2010 at 07:27 PM
i am going 2 go see rite away
Comment #23 | Posted by: musicdiva9 on June 11, 2010 at 08:08 PM
i love that video jaden made with justin beiber!!!it was amazing!i can not wait 2 see the movie!jaden is very cool.
Comment #24 | Posted by: kamryn on June 11, 2010 at 10:11 PM
jaden smith is very cool.i wish he was my brother so that i could play with him.i do not have any siblings.i hope that soon i would have a brother like jaden smith.it would also be cool 2 meet jaden smith in person.i love jaden's dance moves.i love the karate kid!!!!!!!!!!
Comment #25 | Posted by: kamryn on June 11, 2010 at 10:18 PM