Kung Fu (2021 TV series) explained

Developer:Christina M. Kim
Music:Sherri Chung
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:3
Num Episodes:39
Location:Langley, British Columbia
Camera:Single-camera
Runtime:41–42 minutes[1]
Network:The CW
Related:Kung Fu (1972 TV series)

Kung Fu is an American martial arts action-adventure television series that premiered on The CW on April 7, 2021, and ended on March 8, 2023. Set in the present, it is an adaptation of the 1970s series of the same title. It is produced by Warner Bros. Television, as was the original series and . Executive producers include Christina M. Kim (developer of The CW series), Ed Spielman (creator of the original series), Greg Berlanti, Martin Gero, Robert Berens, and Sarah Schechter. It is one of a few American network dramas to feature a predominantly Asian American cast, including veteran actor Tzi Ma.[2] The second season premiered on March 9, 2022, while the third season premiered on October 5 in the same year. In May 2023, the series was canceled after three seasons.

Premise

Set in the present day, the series follows a young Chinese American woman whose personal issues force her to leave college and make a life-changing journey to an isolated monastery in China. On her return to America three years later, 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, especially those being threatened 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.

This version is a re-imagining, rather than a reboot, of the 1972 television series starring David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine, the fugitive monk traveling the American Old West.[3]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Episodes

Season 3 (2022–23)

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.[4] In October 2018, it was announced that Sleepy Hollow executive producer Albert Kim was redeveloping the series and that Fox had given the project a put pilot commitment.[5] In November 2019, it was announced that the reboot had moved to The CWwhich is home to the majority of the Arrowverse shows, all of which are produced by Berlantiand would be written by Christina M. Kim and Martin Gero.[6] The series received a pilot order by the network.[7] 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.[8]

This was the third attempt of a Kung Fu reboot. According to PrimeTimer, "two different incarnations of this project have been set up in recent years at Fox, both featuring a female protagonist. Mega producers Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television were behind both projects, but neither went to pilot." The first reboot attempt had a main character named Lucy Chang, a Buddhist monk and kung fu master who traveled through America in the 1950s in search of the man who stole her child years before. The second reboot attempt was about a young Chinese-American woman who inherits her father's kung fu studio, only to find out it's a secret center dedicated to helping members of the Chinatown community who have nowhere else to turn.[9]

On May 3, 2021, The CW renewed the series for a second season.[10] On March 22, 2022, The CW renewed the series for a third season.[11] Kung Fu was canceled on May 11, 2023, after three seasons.[12] Producers Warner Bros. Television had attempted to shop the show to other outlets in anticipation of the cancellation, but were unsuccessful.[13]

Casting

In January and February 2020, Deadline reported the casting of the reboot with Tzi Ma and Kheng Hua Tan as Jin Shen and Mei-Li, Jon Prasida as Ryan Shen, Shannon Dang as Althea Shen, Eddie Liu as Henry Yan, and Olivia Liang as the character Nicky.[14] [15] [16] In March 2020, Gavin Stenhouse and Gwendoline Yeo were cast as Evan Hartley and Zhilan.[17] Tony Chung was cast as Dennis Soong on October 6, 2020.[18] On November 18, 2020, Yvonne Chapman was cast as Zhilan in a recurring capacity.[19] In February 2021, Ludi Lin and Bradley Gibson were cast as Kerwin and Joe Harper in recurring roles.[20] [21] On August 26, 2021, Chapman was promoted to series regular for the second season.[22] On January 6, 2022, Vanessa Yao, Annie Q. and JB Tadena joined the cast in recurring roles for the second season.[23] On July 7, 2022, it was announced that Chapman is set to return as series regular while Tadena was promoted to a series regular for the third season.[24] On July 27, 2022, Ben Levin and Kim Rhodes were cast in recurring capacities for the third season.[25]

Pre-production

The main actress Olivia Liang mentioned she avoided martial arts prior to this role due to stereotypes and would only learn when she got paid. She later embraced the sport after being cast and supported bringing depth to Asian characters with a martial arts background.[26] [27] [28]

Filming

Principal photography for the first season began on October 16, 2020, and concluded on April 27, 2021, in Langley, British Columbia.[29] Filming for the second season began on September 20, 2021, and concluded on March 15, 2022.[30] Filming for the third season began on July 18, 2022, and concluded on December 20.[31]

Broadcast

Kung Fu premiered on April 7, 2021, on The CW.[32] In Canada, the series airs on CTV 2, simulcast with The CW.[33] The second season premiered on March 9, 2022.[34] The third season premiered on October 5, 2022.[35] The series finale aired on March 8, 2023.

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 86% based on 21 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10. The website's critic consensus states, "Kung Fu early episodes could use a little more focus, but beautifully choreographed fight scenes and a likable cast—led by Olivia Liang's star-making performance—inspire hope for a bright future."[36] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100 based on 10 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[37]

Sam Stone of Comic Book Resources reviewed the series and stated that "nuances of each character relationship are explicitly laid out in conversation rather than hinted at or more organically woven into the show as if the characters aren't aware of their own backstories." While the fight choreography was well received, it relied on too much slow motion. CBR saw potential in the show with the cast as long it could overcome "bad habits" as the show progresses.[38] Jennifer Griffin of TV Pulse Magazine was more critical and also agreed that there was too much exposition in the first episode. It relied on the predictable formulaic superhero format that Greg Berlanti has incorporated in previous CW shows. While having a mainly Asian-American cast was praised, the review goes on to say "Like America herself, the series needs to show its characters a little more love, and demonstrate a determination to look beyond formula, cliches, and stereotypes for that which truly connects us, as TV viewers, as superhero fans, but mostly as human beings."[39] Robert Lloyd of LA Times wrote that the pilot was very busy with a messy exposition, which also reinforced Asian stereotypes.[40] Max Gao of Vulture rated the first episode 4 out of 5 and said, "It wouldn't be a CW show without a classic love triangle—and Kung Fu has set up a brilliant one."[41]

Ratings

Season 3

Home media

Season 1 of
episodes		DVD release dates
Region 1Region 2Region 4
113November 2, 2021
Season 2 of
episodes		DVD release dates
Region 1Region 2Region 4
213September 20, 2022

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kung Fu. Amazon. March 10, 2022.
  2. How a New 'Kung Fu' Series Is Reclaiming Much More Than the Martial Arts. Time. April 23, 2021. April 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210422003709/https://time.com/5953090/kung-fu-cw-asian-representation/. live.
  3. Web site: Zirogiannis . Marc . The Rebirth of "Kung Fu" . Tae Kwon Do Life Magazine . March 24, 2021 . March 24, 2021 . March 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210324104132/https://tkdlifemagazine.com/2021/03/24/the-rebirth-of-kung-fu/ . live .
  4. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Kung Fu' Female-Led Series Reboot From Greg Berlanti & Wendy Mericle Set At Fox As Put Pilot. Deadline Hollywood. September 28, 2017. May 25, 2020. March 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200301054840/https://deadline.com/2017/09/kung-fu-female-tv-series-fox-greg-berlanti-wendy-mericle-put-pilot-1202178645/. live.
  5. Web site: 'Kung Fu' Sequel Drama From Albert Kim & Berlanti Prods. Set At Fox As Put Pilot. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. October 10, 2018. April 7, 2021. January 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122124826/https://deadline.com/2018/10/kung-fu-drama-albert-kim-greg-berlanti-fox-put-pilot-1202479763/. live.
  6. Web site: Female-Led Kung Fu Reboot in Works at the CW. TV Shows. en. November 6, 2019. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115195809/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/female-led-kung-fu-reboot-in-development-the-cw/. live.
  7. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Kung Fu' & 'The Republic Of Sarah' Get Pilot Orders At the CW. Deadline Hollywood. January 30, 2020. May 25, 2020. April 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200423091950/https://deadline.com/2020/01/kung-fu-the-republic-of-sarah-pilot-orders-the-cw-greg-berlanti-marc-webb-1202847367/. live.
  8. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Kung Fu' Reboot & 'The Republic of Sarah' Get CW Series Orders for 2020–21 Season. Deadline Hollywood. May 12, 2020. May 25, 2020. May 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200516015828/https://deadline.com/2020/05/kung-fu-republic-of-sarah-the-cw-new-series-order-2020-21-season-1202932713/. live.
  9. Web site: EST. Jean-Maxime Renault Friday February 28, 2020, at 2:04AM. February 28, 2020. Pilot Script Review of Kung Fu. March 27, 2021. primetimer.com. en. April 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210410225459/https://www.primetimer.com/pilots/pilotpreviews/kung-fu. dead.
  10. Web site: 'Kung Fu' & 'Stargirl' Renewed At The CW. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. May 3, 2021. May 3, 2021. May 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210503174408/https://deadline.com/2021/05/kung-fu-stargirl-renewed-at-the-cw-1234748891/. live.
  11. Web site: The CW Renews Seven Scripted Series: 'The Flash', 'Kung Fu', 'All American', 'Nancy Drew', 'Superman & Lois', 'Walker' & 'Riverdale' Returning. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. March 22, 2022. March 22, 2022. February 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210203211446/https://deadline.com/2022/03/the-cw-renewals-the-flash-nancy-drew-kung-fu-1234984336/. live.
  12. Web site: Bell . BreAnna . May 11, 2023 . 'The Winchesters,' 'Kung Fu' Both Canceled at The CW . May 11, 2023 . Variety . en-US . May 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511204138/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-winchesters-kung-fu-canceled-the-cw-1235608193/ . live .
  13. Web site: 'Kung Fu' Canceled By The CW After 3 Seasons. Nellie. Andreeva. Denise. Petski. May 11, 2023. May 11, 2023.
  14. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Kung-Fu': Tzi Ma & Kheng Hua Tan To Co-Star In the CW Reboot Pilot. Deadline Hollywood. January 30, 2020. May 25, 2020. March 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200304010401/https://deadline.com/2020/02/kung-fu-tzi-ma-kheng-hua-tan-cast-the-cw-reboot-pilot-1202862221/. live.
  15. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Kung Fu': Jon Prasida, Shannon Dang & Eddie Liu To Co-Star In the CW Reboot Pilot. Deadline Hollywood. February 18, 2020. May 25, 2020. April 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200421021629/https://deadline.com/2020/02/kung-fu-jon-prasida-shannon-dang-eddie-liu-to-co-star-in-the-cw-reboot-pilot-1202865838/. live.
  16. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Kung Fu': Olivia Liang Cast As The Lead Of the CW Reboot Pilot. Deadline Hollywood. February 26, 2020. May 25, 2020. May 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200507110501/https://deadline.com/2020/02/kung-fu-olivia-liang-cast-the-lead-the-cw-reboot-pilot-1202868906/. live.
  17. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Kung Fu': Gavin Stenhouse & Gwendoline Yeo Join the CW Reboot Pilot. Deadline Hollywood. March 9, 2020. May 25, 2020. March 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200310153633/https://deadline.com/2020/03/kung-fu-gavin-stenhouse-gwendoline-yeo-join-the-cw-reboot-pilot-1202877907/. live.
  18. Web site: 'Kung Fu': Tony Chung Joins the CW Reboot Series. Denise. Petski. Deadline Hollywood. October 6, 2020. October 6, 2020. October 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201008215109/https://deadline.com/2020/10/kung-fu-tony-chung-the-cw-reboot-series-1234592375/. live.
  19. Web site: Antonio Jaramillo Joins 'Snowfall'; 'Kung Fu' Casts Yvonne Chapman. Denise. Petski. Deadline Hollywood. November 18, 2020. November 18, 2020. November 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201118215945/https://deadline.com/2020/11/antonio-jaramillo-snowfall-kung-fu-yvonne-chapman-1234613931/. live.
  20. Web site: Ludi Lin Joins The CW's 'Kung Fu' Reboot. Deadline Hollywood. Dino-Ray. Ramos. February 18, 2021. February 18, 2021. February 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210218180100/https://deadline.com/2021/02/ludi-lin-the-cw-kung-fu-1234696063/. live.
  21. Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost's Bradley Gibson To Recur On 'Kung Fu' Reboot ; Quentin Plair Joins 'Roswell, New Mexico'. Deadline Hollywood. Dino-Ray. Ramos. February 22, 2021. February 22, 2021. February 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210222230745/https://deadline.com/2021/02/bradley-gibson-kung-fu-reboot-quentin-plair-rosewell-new-mexico-the-cw-1234698585/. live.
  22. Web site: 'Kung Fu': Yvonne Chapman Upped To Series Regular For Season 2. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. August 26, 2021. August 26, 2021. August 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210826214115/https://deadline.com/2021/08/kung-fu-yvonne-chapman-promoted-series-regular-season-2-1234822892/. live.
  23. Web site: 'Kung Fu': CW Reboot Adds Vanessa Yao, Annie Q. & JB Tadena To Season 2 Cast. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. January 6, 2022. January 6, 2022. January 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220106213601/https://deadline.com/2022/01/kung-fu-cw-reboot-annie-q-jb-tadena-vanessa-rao-season-2-cast-1234905311/. live.
  24. Web site: Kung Fu Season 3: Yvonne Chapman Returning as Zhilan, JB Tadena Upped to Series Regular. TVLine. Keisha. Hatchett. July 7, 2022. July 13, 2022. en-US. July 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220710182014/https://tvline.com/2022/07/07/kung-fu-season-3-yvonne-chapman-zhilan-returning-jb-tadena-series-regular/. live.
  25. Web site: 'Kung Fu': Ben Levin & Kim Rhodes Join Season 3 Of CW Series As Recurring. Deadline Hollywood. Sofia. Behzadi. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727171542/https://deadline.com/2022/07/kung-fu-ben-levin-kim-rhodes-season-3-cw-series-recurring-1235079006/. live.
  26. Web site: Associated Press . April 5, 2021 . Early in her career, 'Kung Fu' star, Olivia Liang vowed to only learn martial arts for a role if she was paid to do so. She kept that promise. . March 4, 2022 . Twitter . en . March 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220304090253/https://twitter.com/apentertainment/status/1379135496975220739 . live .
  27. Web site: April 20, 2021 . A new 'Kung Fu' debuts at a crucial time for Asian Americans . March 4, 2022 . AP NEWS . en . March 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220304090253/https://apnews.com/article/cw-new-kung-fu-olivia-liang-cf547d0bddb58f36e6fa31c7af819179 . live .
  28. Web site: May 26, 2021 . Why Kung Fu's Olivia Liang Was "Anti-Learning Martial Arts" Before Landing Her Role . March 4, 2022 . E! Online . March 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220304090254/https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1273824/why-kung-fus-olivia-liang-was-anti-learning-martial-arts-before-landing-her-role . live .
  29. News: DGC BC Production List . . April 23, 2021 . April 26, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210426014914/https://www.dgc.ca/assets/Uploads/BritishColumbia/AvailsProductionLists/Documents/Production-List.pdf . April 26, 2021.
  30. Web site: DGC BC Production List. Directors Guild of Canada. April 1, 2022. April 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220402025726/https://www.dgc.ca/assets/Uploads/BritishColumbia/AvailsProductionLists/Production/Production-List.pdf. April 2, 2022. live.
  31. Web site: DGC BC Production List . . January 13, 2023 . January 14, 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230114005606/https://www.dgc.ca/assets/Uploads/BritishColumbia/AvailsProductionLists/Production/Production-List.pdf . January 14, 2023.
  32. Web site: The CW Sets Premiere Dates For 'Kung Fu', 'Republic Of Sarah' & Return Of 'Dynasty', 'Legends Of Tomorrow', 'In The Dark'; New Slots For 'Batwoman', 'Charmed'. Deadline Hollywood. Erik. Pedersen. February 24, 2021. February 24, 2021. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224200138/https://deadline.com/2021/02/cw-premiere-dates-kung-fu-republic-of-sarah-dynasty-legends-of-tomorrow-batwoman-charmed-1234700057/. live.
  33. Web site: Kung Fu. https://web.archive.org/web/20210404202300/https://www.ctv.ca/shows/kung-fu. dead. April 4, 2021. April 7, 2021. CTV.
  34. Web site: The CW's Midseason Schedule Teams Superman & Lois With Naomi, Sets Dynasty, Charmed and Kung Fu Returns. TVLine. Matt Webb. Mitovich. November 5, 2021. November 5, 2021. November 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211105180247/https://tvline.com/2021/11/05/superman-and-lois-season-2-premiere-date-cw-midseason-schedule/. live.
  35. Web site: CW Announces Fall Premiere Dates Including Debut Of 'The Winchesters' & 'Walker Independence'. Deadline Hollywood. Lynette. Rice. July 5, 2022. July 5, 2022. July 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220705200817/https://deadline.com/2022/07/cw-fall-premiere-dates-2022-1235058118/. live.
  36. kung_fu_2021. Kung Fu. tv. 1. March 21, 2022.
  37. kung-fu-2021. Kung Fu. tv. 1. July 20, 2021.
  38. Web site: Kung Fu Is a High-Kicking, Uneven Reimagining of the Martial Arts Classic . Sam . Stone . March 23, 2021 . March 26, 2021 . . April 16, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210416221629/https://www.cbr.com/kung-fu-review/ . live .
  39. Web site: Kung Fu Pilot Review: 'Berlanti's Superhero Formula Gets in the Way of A Better Story'. Jennifer. Griffin. March 23, 2021. March 26, 2021. TVPulse. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325064157/https://tvpulsemag.com/mustread/reviewsandrecaps/kung-fu-pilot-review-berlantis-superhero-formula-gets-in-the-way-of-a-better-story/. live.
  40. News: Lloyd . Robert . April 7, 2021 . Strangely drawn to stereotypes, 'Kung Fu' stumbles out of gate . April 14, 2021 . . April 14, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210414042136/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-04-07/kung-fu-cw-review . live .
  41. Web site: Kung Fu Series Premiere Recap: Fate Has Brought You Here for a Reason. Vulture. Max. Gao. April 7, 2021. September 11, 2021. limited. April 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210410071445/https://www.vulture.com/article/kung-fu-series-premiere-recap-season-1-episode-1-pilot.html. live.

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