At the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, Chinese cinema took a major leap into the future with the unveiling of two ambitious AI-driven projects designed to preserve and reimagine martial arts storytelling. Spearheaded by the China Film Foundation and its partners, the Kung Fu Film Heritage Project includes a large-scale restoration of 100 classic martial arts films using artificial intelligence, alongside the debut of A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border—the world’s first fully AI-produced animated feature.
The restoration initiative will digitally remaster iconic kung fu titles, enhancing visuals, sound, and production quality while remaining faithful to each film’s original spirit. Among the first slated for AI restoration are Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury and The Big Boss, Jet Li’s Once Upon a Time in China, and Jackie Chan’s Drunken Master.
“This is more than restoration—it’s cultural preservation,” said Zhang Qilin, chairman of the China Film Foundation. “These films, from Bruce Lee to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, showcase the essence and vitality of the Chinese spirit. They are our cinematic ambassadors to the world.”
Backed by a budget of RMB100 million (approx. $13.9 million), the project will initially focus on ten key titles. Canxing Media chair Tian Ming emphasized AI’s role as a creative tool: “AI is the brush, but creativity is the soul. These classics are the spiritual backbone of Chinese cinema.”
Premiering at the same event was A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border, a futuristic reimagining of John Woo’s classic crime saga. Developed by Quantum Animation, the film represents a groundbreaking shift in animation production—crafted entirely using AI, from script and character modeling to animation and final rendering.
“This feature was made by just 30 people,” said producer Zhang Qing. “AI has collapsed the wall between imagination and execution. What once took years now takes months.”
Cyber Border blends martial arts action with sci-fi aesthetics and serves as a proof-of-concept for AI-led storytelling. Zhang also challenged Chinese creators to expand traditional IPs into interactive forms such as globally competitive fighting games. “Why are the top fighting games not Chinese, when they all borrow Chinese moves? We should be building the next Street Fighter from our own legends—Wong Fei-hung, Nezha, and more.”
The launch event also paid tribute to key contributors in martial arts cinema. Honorees included actor Yu Rongguang, screenwriter Zhang Tan, and veteran producer Yuan Hong.
“I’ve dedicated 40 years to kung fu cinema,” said Yuan. “If I have any strength left, it belongs to this project.”
Zhang Tan added, “Kung fu films are stories of growth, spirit, and honor. With AI, we’re not erasing history—we’re giving it a second wind.”
SOURCE: Variety
