China to Restore 100 Kung Fu Films Using AI

China has launched a $14 million initiative to restore 100 classic martial arts films featuring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. Artificial intelligence will be employed for this purpose, reports Variety.

The China Film Foundation announced the “Kung Fu Legacy” project at the Shanghai International Film Festival. Films such as “Fist of Fury,” “The Big Boss,” “Once Upon a Time in China,” and “Drunken Master” will undergo restoration using AI. The initiative aims to enhance image and sound quality while preserving the integrity of the original narratives.

Organizers described the project as a “long-term commitment to reviving the cultural and cinematic heritage of Chinese martial arts cinema.”

“From Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan, from ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ to ‘Wolf Warrior’ — these films have showcased the vitality and spirit of the Chinese people to the world. They are our cinematic calling card to the globe,” stated China Film Foundation Chairman Zhang Qilin.

The event also featured the premiere of the new film “A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border.” Artificial intelligence was utilized at all stages of the film’s creation, from scriptwriting to animation modeling and rendering.

In July 2024, Hollywood announced a strike over the use of AI.

In October, Nicolas Cage urged young actors not to succumb to pressure from employers and to resist the use of AI and EBDR to alter or manipulate their performances.