Kung Fu (2021 TV series)

Kung Fu is an upcoming American martial arts action-adventure series that is set to debut on The CW in the 2020–21 television season. This version is a modern-day adaptation of the original version of Kung Fu and the third television series after Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, and as with the aforementioned programs, it is being produced by Warner Bros. Television with executive producers Christina M. Kim (the creator of the updated version), Ed Spielman (the creator of the original series), Greg Berlanti, Hanelle Culpepper, Martin Gero, and Sarah Schechter.

Kung Fu
Genre
Created by
Based onKung Fu
by Ed Spielman
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Production locations Langley, British Columbia
Camera setupSingle-camera
Production companies
DistributorWarner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original networkThe CW
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Chronology
Preceded by
Related showsKung Fu (1972 TV series)

Premise

Set in the present day, the series follows a young Chinese-American woman whose personal issues forced her to leave college and make a life-changing journey to an isolated monastery in China. Upon her return to America, she starts using her martial arts skills and Shaolin values to protect her community when her hometown of San Francisco is plagued by ongoing crime and corruption run by the Triad, all while dealing with her estranged family and searching for the assassin who killed her Shaolin mentor and is now targeting her.

Cast

Main
  • Olivia Liang as Nicky Chen, a college dropout and a outsider to her family who is an expert in martial arts, which she uses to stop a growing criminal problem that has overtaken her community.
  • Tzi Ma as Jin Chen, Nicky's father, a restaurant owner who is upset over his daughter's choices, while at the same time keeping secrets that could destroy their establishment due to the Triad's grip on the local community.
  • Kheng Hua Tan as Mei-Li Chen, Nicky's mother, who helped her husband in the restaurant business and is also not too happy with Nicky, and like her husband is also keeping secrets that could threaten the family.
  • Jon Prasida as Ryan Chen, Nicky's estranged brother who is a quick-witted medical student.
  • Shannon Dang as Althea Chen, Nicky's larger-than-life older tech-savvy sister who is newly engaged with plans of having the perfect wedding and life.
  • Eddie Liu as Henry Chu
  • Gavin Stenhouse as Evan Hartley, a highly successful assistant district attorney who still has feelings for Nicky.
  • Vanessa Kai as Pei-Ling, a skilled fighter, spiritual guide, and mentor to Nicky Shen, one of dozens of monks that lived and trained in an all-female Shaolin temple buried deep in the mountains of Yuanyang province.
  • Tony Chung as Dennis Soong

Recurring
  • Yvonne Chapman as Zhilan

Production

Development

In September 2017, it was reported that Greg Berlanti and Wendy Mericle were developing a female-led reboot of the series for Fox.[1] In November 2019, it was announced that the reboot had moved to The CW – which is home to the majority of the Arrowverse shows, all of which are produced by Berlanti – and would be written by Christina M. Kim and Martin Gero.[2] The series received a pilot order by the network.[3] It was announced on May 12, 2020, that The CW had given Kung Fu a series order; a poster featuring Liang and social media accounts was set up the same day.[4]

Casting

In January and February 2020, Deadline reports the casting of the reboot with Tzi Ma and Kheng Hua Tan as Jin Chen and Mei-Li, Jon Prasida as Ryan Chen, Shannon Dang as Althea Chen, Eddie Liu as Henry Chu, and Olivia Liang as the character Nicky.[5][6][7] In March 2020, Gavin Stenhouse and Gwendoline Yeo were cast as Evan Hartley and Zhilan.[8] Tony Chung was cast as Dennis Soong on October 6, 2020.[9] On November 18, 2020, Yvonne Chapman was cast as Zhilan in a recurring capacity.[10]

Filming

Principal photography for the first season began on October 16, 2020 and is scheduled to conclude on April 26, 2021 in Langley, British Columbia.[11]

References
  1. Andreeva, Nellie (September 28, 2017). "'Kung Fu' Female-Led Series Reboot From Greg Berlanti & Wendy Mericle Set At Fox As Put Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  2. "Female-Led Kung Fu Reboot in Works at the CW". TV Shows. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
  3. Andreeva, Nellie (January 30, 2020). "'Kung Fu' & 'The Republic Of Sarah' Get Pilot Orders At the CW". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  4. Andreeva, Nellie (May 12, 2020). "'Kung Fu' Reboot & 'The Republic of Sarah' Get CW Series Orders for 2020–21 Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie (January 30, 2020). "'Kung-Fu': Tzi Ma & Kheng Hua Tan To Co-Star In the CW Reboot Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  6. Andreeva, Nellie (February 18, 2020). "'Kung Fu': Jon Prasida, Shannon Dang & Eddie Liu To Co-Star In the CW Reboot Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  7. Andreeva, Nellie (February 26, 2020). "'Kung Fu': Olivia Liang Cast As The Lead Of the CW Reboot Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  8. Andreeva, Nellie (March 9, 2020). "'Kung Fu': Gavin Stenhouse & Gwendoline Yeo Join the CW Reboot Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  9. Petski, Denise (October 6, 2020). "'Kung Fu': Tony Chung Joins the CW Reboot Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  10. Petski, Denise (November 18, 2020). "Antonio Jaramillo Joins 'Snowfall'; 'Kung Fu' Casts Yvonne Chapman". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  11. "DGC BC Production List" (PDF). Directors Guild of Canada. October 16, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020.
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