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Back to the 80s: The Last Dragon remake to star Samuel L. Jackson
11.08.08 (4:41 pm)   [edit]
As we go along, I will let you in on some of my "guilty pleasures" from the 80's (as if an 80s obsession is not enough in itself). The Last DragonI have already let you in on one in my post on The Karate Kid which you should check out if you have not before. Another of my specific "guilty pleasure" movies from the 80s is 1985's The Last Dragon. Now I read in the Hollywood Reporter that a remake is in the works and it will star Samuel L. Jackson as the main bad guy "Sho'Nuff."

Here is a link to the full article from the Hollywood Reporter and below I have included an excerpt from the Leslie Simmons article:

Having most recently played a dirty cop in Lakeview Terrace, Sam JacksonSamuel L. Jackson is set to star as a bad guy again in Columbia Pictures' remake of Berry Gordy's 1985 cult classic The Last Dragon.

Jackson will play Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, a role played in the original by the late Julius Carry, whose spiel included asking ego-driven questions like "Am I the baddest mofo lowdown around this town?" Sho'NuffEach time his gang of thugs answered, "Sho 'nuff!"

Davis Entertainment's John Davis and Gordy's son Kerry Gordy are producing. Penning the screenplay as well as producing is Dallas Jackson, who heads up the urban family label DJ Classicz with Davis. Wu-Tang Clan's RZA is co-producing.

The updated plot will be along the same lines of the original, centering on young martial arts student Leroy Green in his quest through the streets of New York to achieve the highest level of martial arts accomplishment, known as the Last Dragon. Those who achieve the high ranking possess the Glow, making them the greatest fighter alive.

The project, announced by Columbia presidents Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, will take a new look at "Last Dragon" coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Motown next year. "We're thrilled to be working with Kerry Gordy as he continues his father's legacy, and we're confident that he along with John and Dallas are the perfect team to develop the project," Belgrad said. "They will capture everything that people love about the original while also bringing a fresh edge to the remake."

The original, which also starred one-namers Taimak and then-Prince protégé Vanity, was released in March 1985 by TriStar Pictures and received lukewarm reviews by critics like Roger Ebert, who gave it 2 1/2 stars and said it was a "great near-miss."

Despite the reviews, "Last Dragon" did well at the box office, grossing nearly $26 million. It soon became a cult classic for scenes like Bruce Lee follower Green remaining so loyal to the martial arts star that he eats his popcorn in a movie theater with chopsticks.

"I'm a huge fan of the original and look forward to bringing Sho'Nuff into the 21st century," Jackson said.


I am not quite sure how I feel about this. Sho'NuffI have seen the original so many times I cannot even count and I enjoy all of the bad acting and cheesiness. Sam Jackson is a great choice to try to replicate the "Sho'Nuff" character, but I don't think anybody could be as good as Julius Carry was in the original.

Here is a video to some scenes featuring the "Sho'Nuff" character.

Here is a link to watch the entire scene in the movie theater which is not shown in its entirety in the above video. What a great bad guy character they created!

It's sad, but true, that I can recite many of the lines from this film. Whether it is lines by "Sho'Nuff" played by Carry, the main character "Leroy Green" played by Taimak, his little brother "Richie," the other bad guy "Eddie Arcadian," or the beautiful "Laura Charles" played by Vanity as well as some of the other minor characters. I can just start reciting them almost as easily as I can the lines from Caddyshack (which says a lot). I can even remember the slogan that Leroy's Dad used for his pizza place, "Just direct-a your feets-a to Daddy Green's Pizza."

The film has a mix of comedy (both intentionally and unintentionally), action with carefully choreographed martial arts fighting, and even a little romance. VanityIt also has a pretty girl (Vanity) which always helps. It even had the DeBarge song "Rhythm of the Night" in it which will rank in my top 200 songs of the 80s list when that gets published.

Like I said, the dialogue is pretty cheesy and the acting is pretty bad, but there is something about this movie that I just really enjoy. Maybe it is the quest for "the glow" Leroy with the glowwhich represents the greatness that was inside of us all along. I thought I was alone in my appreciation of The Last Dragon, but to my surprise it sounds like it is actually a cult classic. Here is a link to sort of a trailer for the movie well worth watching which gives you a little better glimpse into what it is about.

That does not do it justice. I would recommend watching this film to any fan of kung-fu movies or just cheesy 80s movies in general. I am not sure how many times you will have to watch before you really start to enjoy it as I still do, but give it at least one try. No matter how good the remake is or how good Sam Jackson is as "Sho'Nuff," I just don't think it has a chance of replacing the original to me.

That will do it for another issue of Kickin' it Old School. Thanks for reading about one of my "guilty pleasures." I am sure I will be sharing others and, believe me, they won't all be karate related. The fact that the first two movies I shared happened to have that connection is purely a coincidence. If you are interested in reading more of my 80's related issues, please click there for a summary. You can always click on the Archives in the upper left hand column or use the blogbar Search Box in the right hand column to find any other issues you may have missed. If you are a fan of Kickin' it, please pass the word and let others know to give it a try (and of course come back often!). Peace and much love.

Check this out: Here is a funny video of Thomas Wilson who played "Biff" brilliantly in the Back to the Future movies. Wilson still acts a little, but also is a comedian. "Biff's Question Song" is pretty funny as it describes what a recognizable character from an iconic movie might go through on a daily basis. Enjoy!

Quote of the day: "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." -Mahatma Gandhi

Download this: Since it was featured in the original film The Last Dragon, I am going to go with "Rhythm of the Night" by DeBarge



 


posted by: Ladyg (reply)
post date: 11.09.08 (9:49 am)

That was a cult classic, sho nuff, I don't see Samuel Jackson playing that role but with the proper makeup, I amm sure he will get into charater.



posted by: deanna (reply)
post date: 11.09.08 (8:08 pm)

OMG, I LOVED this movie. My little brother was into martial arts movies when we were younger so he would watch this movie all the time (along with Enter the Dragon). When I watch it now I laugh at every scene cause, like you said, the acting is very cheesy! Im not sure if I will see the remake though. It might be interesting but then it will take away from the original and I never want to forget the original. Great post! :)



posted by: bawdy (reply)
post date: 11.09.08 (10:21 pm)

You're right, the movie is pretty cheesy and pretty dated now, but good fun still.



posted by: pretensions (reply)
post date: 11.11.08 (6:14 pm)

I've never seen nor heard of this movie, OS, but really enjoyed the Youtube vid - hilariously cheesy! I'll keep an eye out for the remake when it comes to S'pore! (or when I go where it's playing)



posted by: OldSchool (reply)
post date: 11.11.08 (7:50 pm)

Reply to: pretensions
Hi P, I would recommend seeing the original. It is pure 80s cheese, but like I said, one of my guilty pleasures. I would definitely say to see the original before any remake. You should be able to find a copy of the DVD available online somewhere.



posted by: squirrelzone (reply)
post date: 11.11.08 (7:55 pm)

Loved the videos! I can't see Samuel Jackson playing that part either. If he does you know there's going to be a lot of profanity like only Samuel Jackson can do.



posted by: T-ROKKK (reply)
post date: 12.10.08 (6:26 am)

"I'm gettin sick and tired about hearing these bull s**t superman stories about the waasa legendary Bruce Leroy cathin bullets with his teeth, catches bullets with his teeth, N**gga
please." Aint no way Samuel Jackson is going to be able to pull off lines like that



posted by: Kawika (reply)
post date: 12.24.08 (12:07 am)

Unless this Remake is going to be a really really good movie, they should not remake the
film. The original Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon was made for the 80's era and reflects a
certain culture/nostalgia that cannot be recreated unless they change the whole character/
demeanor of the movie. The music that accompanied the movie was also a big part/contributing factor of the tone of the movie. That movie was great and I am not going to sit there idle while the
directors/writers and filmmakers create a sub-par/crappy remake. There is no business
remaking a movie like this. Maybe these filmmakers should come up with an original idea once
in a while instead of making one crappy remake after another. Seriously, most likely this
new remake is going to be average at best. They should make a sequel if anything...that
might be interesting if they did it right. Also, how many movies can Samuel L. Jackson be
in. He is a good actor but it seems like he is in every other movie that comes out.Anyways,
either produce a really really good quality remake, create a sequel, or don’t bother at all.



posted by: OldSchool (reply)
post date: 12.24.08 (7:44 am)

Reply to: Kawika
Very well said. I agree 100%.




posted by: (reply)
post date: 01.12.09 (4:56 am)

The best movie that they ever made i used to watch it 5 times when i was a kid, who do you think should of play Bruce Leroy? i'd say Nick Cannon.



posted by: TheOne (reply)
post date: 01.29.09 (12:26 am)

Reply to: Ladyg
i think busta rhyhmes would play a better sho'nuff. watch his 2008 Dangerous video



posted by: shortyeerock09 (reply)
post date: 02.24.09 (4:10 am)

Reply to: OldSchool
I think Pooch Hall from the CW's tv show "The Game" would be perfect as Leroy Green. He's young, fresh, up and coming, has a great body, a background in boxing and practices martial arts. He is a very talented actor and could truly bring this character to life. I absolutely LOVED the original and watched it atleast twice a week as a kid. I honestly can't see anyone else playing Bruce Leroy Green. Pooch Hall...Pooch Hall! Oh and please don't put any rappers or musicians in this role. It would sooo kill it for many people.




posted by: Nupe (reply)
post date: 03.22.09 (4:41 am)

Good Point for Pooch Hall



posted by: Alvin (reply)
post date: 06.13.09 (6:58 am)

Some of you guys must not know who's behind this movie. Well as a true Last Dragon fan I've looked it up. RZA, yes a RAPPER is the one bringing this whole thing to life. And before we go bashing rapper/actors, lets not forget the #1 actor in the world right now, Will Smith, was and still is a RAPPER. These parts should go to the best person for the job. Sam Jackson is proven to entertain. He's a good choice. Kawika had a good point too. This movie is going to have to cater to a new generation, which means less cheese and more quality. LeRoy is going to have to be a little cooler. And yes, there is an unknown rapper that I've heard may have the part locked. Ozy Reigns has a very good mixtape out called the Last Dragon, where he used clips from the film between his songs. Good piece of work. I heard that's how he caught the producers attention. His music video is on youtube and yes he is talented. Face it, many rappers are good actors because their creativity is just different than other artists. Look at rappers like Mos Def and Ice Cube. They are entertaining to watch.



posted by: Black Mike (reply)
post date: 12.20.09 (1:46 am)

i luv this movie growing but chosen people with martial arts background and who r they going to chose to play the girl, i say rihinna would be perfect or beyonces, either one but who will play leroy, has to be someone who can act and the storyline needs to change, i think their should be a background between sho'nuff and leroy, like they were once students of the same master but shonuff thought he was better and bounce or they were rivals who fought in a world karate championship and leroy one, shonuff was upset and wanting revenge cuz he thought he should have won, something like that would be good, rather shonuff in the movie theater and starting beef, in harlem, a person like that desire a shot in the face, lol. but seriously, anybody agree with me

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