WILL SMITH'S 'KARATE KID' GETS NEW NAME?: Jackie Chan says producers don't want to use original title.

      *Jackie Chan told a film Web site that his forthcoming update of the "Karate Kid," from producer Will Smith, will carry a different name in order to avoid unfair comparisons to the original.

       "They don't want to call it 'Karate Kid' any more," Chan told FirstShowing.com. "They want to call it 'The Kung Fu Kid.'"

       The Web site said further, "[Chan] quickly changed topics and unfortunately didn't add any more as to why this change was being made. Our guess is that since this remake is a Chinese co-production and being shot in Beijing, it's much more relevant today to use kung fu as opposed to karate (which isn't as popular as it was back in the 80's) and also more appropriate considering karate actually has its historical roots in kung fu. As in, story updates and Chinese influence caused them to change the title to be more culturally relevant and accurate."

      As previously reported, Smith's Overbrook Entertainment is remaking the 1984 film with his son Jaden in the lead role originated by Ralph Macchio, and Chan replacing the late Pat Morita as Mr. Myiagi. Harold Zwart, helmer of "Pink Panther 2," is reportedly in line to direct.