BEIJING – Jackie Chan says his serious role in “The Karate Kid” was a pleasant break from his usual action-comedy parts.

Chan’s turn as the stern Mr. Han — like the Mr. Miyagi character — in the remake of the ’80s hit, has won praise from reviewers, including The Associated Press.

He told reporters in Beijing on Wednesday that such parts are rarely offered to him in the U.S., where audiences are more used to seeing him in jokey, lighthearted roles in films such as the “Rush Hour” series.

“I’m very happy to take on a different role. It’s not just a comedy, but a serious role,” Chan said.

Sony’s new version of 1984’s “The Karate Kid” debuted at No. 1 for the weekend with a whopping $56 million box office take, according to studio estimates. Costing just $40 million to produce, the film far exceeded the studio’s expectations.

Will Smith, whose 12-year-old son Jaden stars in the movie, said he hopes that success will extend to China, where the film opens nationwide on Tuesday.

Advertisement

Megan Fox’s on-again, off-again is back on

LOS ANGELES – Megan Fox is off the market. Again.

A spokeswoman for the 24-year-old actress says Fox is engaged to her longtime boyfriend, actor Brian Austin Green.

Publicist Dominique Appel declined to elaborate.

Fox was previously engaged to Green, 36, whom she has been dating for several years.

The two appeared together in an online video protesting California school budget cuts earlier this year. Fox can next be seen in the film “Jonah Hex,” opening Friday.

Advertisement

Driving American pie-eyed?

LOS ANGELES – Actor Chris Klein was arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of drunken driving after he was spotted weaving across lanes on a Southern California highway, authorities said.

The 31-year-old “American Pie” star was pulled over while driving through Sherman Oaks on the Hollywood Freeway, the California Highway Patrol said in a statement. CHP Officer Patrick Kimball said Klein was booked and released on his own recognizance.

A request for comment was left with Klein’s agent and his manager.

Klein was fined $1,800 and ordered to perform 150 hours of community service in 2005 after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor drunken driving charge in north San Diego County.

Klein played the character of Chris “Oz” Ostreicher in 1999’s “American Pie” and in the 2001 sequel. He was also featured in the 1999 film “Election.”

Advertisement

Turns out, Mom’s got talent

Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe isn’t the only one in the family with talent.

In a segment that aired Tuesday night, her mom, Alice Tan Ridley, auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” and wowed the audience with her performance.

An NBC spokeswoman confirms the 58-year-old Ridley tried out for the reality show in late April. Her rendition of the Etta James classic “At Last” brought the audience to their feet, and the judges unanimously voted to send her through to the next round in Las Vegas.

NBC says it doesn’t believe the judges knew who Ridley was before the taping.

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.