If you’re a film lover, part of the magic of classic cinema is its timelessness — each revisit offers something new to appreciate. But if you’re a studio executive, classics offer something else: valuable intellectual property to be repackaged and monetized. At this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival, several Chinese film studios announced a major initiative aimed at doing just that — through artificial intelligence.
The “100 Classics AI Revitalization Project”
Dubbed the Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project: 100 Classics AI Revitalization Project, this government-backed effort will use AI to “update” legendary martial arts films starring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and others. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Zhang Pimin, chairman of the China Film Foundation, described the project as a way to give these films a look that “conforms to contemporary film viewing.”
While that might sound like a digital restoration or resolution upgrade, the reality appears to go much further.
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More Than Restoration — Full AI Remakes
The project isn’t just about polishing the picture. It’s about remaking films with AI-generated visuals. At the festival, attendees were shown a trailer for A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Frontier — an AI-powered reimagining of John Woo’s 1986 classic A Better Tomorrow. This new version transforms actor Chow Yun-fat into a cyberpunk-inspired animated figure, with the studio marketing it as “the world’s first full-process, AI-produced animated feature film.”
In short: this isn’t preservation — it’s transformation.
$14 Million Fund to Reshape Film History
Studios are inviting AI animation companies to join the initiative, supported by a fund of 100 million yuan (approximately $14 million) to jumpstart production. The stated goal is to “reshape the visual aesthetics” of these films while “paying tribute to the original work.”
The line between tribute and overhaul, however, seems increasingly blurred.
The Classics Don’t Need Fixing
Among the titles slated for AI treatment are Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury (1972), Jackie Chan’s Drunken Master (1978), and Jet Li’s Once Upon a Time in China (1991) — all of which remain widely available and deeply influential. These films were groundbreaking when they debuted, and they hold up remarkably well today. The choreography still dazzles, the cinematography still punches, and 4K restorations already exist for many of them.
Instead of embracing the elegance of what already works, this initiative risks overwriting history with slick, AI-generated facsimiles that may lack the soul and craft of the originals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AI revitalization project announced by Chinese studios?
The project, officially called the Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project: 100 Classics AI Revitalization Project, is a government-backed initiative aiming to use artificial intelligence to update, reimagine, or recreate classic martial arts films. This includes works featuring iconic actors like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li.
Who is leading the project?
The project is being led by the China Film Foundation, with Chairman Zhang Pimin announcing its goals during the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival. The initiative has state backing and industry-wide involvement.
How is Bruce Lee involved, if he passed away in 1973?
Bruce Lee will not be involved personally, of course. Instead, AI technology will be used to digitally recreate his likeness, voice, and movements for the purpose of revitalizing his films or potentially creating new versions. His classic works, such as Fist of Fury (1972), are among the titles being considered for AI transformation.
Are the films being restored or completely remade?
This is not just restoration. While some improvements may include upscaling or enhancing image quality, the studios are also planning full AI-generated remakes. For example, a reimagined version of A Better Tomorrow with a cyberpunk aesthetic was previewed at the festival.
What technologies are being used in the project?
AI tools for animation, deepfake-style facial recreation, voice synthesis, and visual style transfer are expected to play a central role. The exact platforms and vendors have not yet been publicly disclosed.
What is the budget for this initiative?
Chinese studios have reportedly set aside 100 million yuan (about $14 million USD) to support the early stages of this revitalization project, including partnerships with AI animation companies.
Conclusion
The effort to revive Bruce Lee and other martial arts legends through AI technology is undeniably ambitious — and controversial. While the project claims to honor cinematic heritage by making classic kung fu films “conform to contemporary viewing,” many fans and critics argue that these timeless works don’t need digital reinvention to remain relevant.
AI has the potential to enhance aspects of filmmaking, but when applied to cultural touchstones like Fist of Fury or Drunken Master, it raises important questions about authenticity, artistic intent, and respect for legacy. As the line between innovation and exploitation continues to blur, audiences will ultimately decide whether these AI-driven revivals are respectful tributes — or misguided remakes.
