Paxton in foretells helm 'Kung Fu'

"Large Love" star Bill Paxton is within discussions to direct "Kung Fu," Legendary Pictures' feature adaptation from the popular David Carradine series that'll be compiled by "Black Swan" scribe John McLaughlin. Such as the series, "Kung Fu" follows the adventures of the Shaolin monk who travels through America armed just with his spiritual training and fighting techinques abilities. Vincent Newman ("Paradise Lost") will produce via his Vincent Newman Entertainment banner. Legendary can also be working carefully with Erectile dysfunction Spielman, who's credited because the co-creator from the "Kung Fu" TV series, which went from March. 1972 to April 1975 on ABC. Warner Bros. is anticipated to distribute the film worldwide because of their lengthy-standing relationship with Legendary Entertainment. Production is anticipated to begin next summer time and also the pic will probably be shot partially in China. Paxton formerly directed the 2001 thriller "Frailty" and Disney's 2005 golf pic "The Finest Game Ever Performed," which starred Shia LaBeouf. However, lnlike most stars-switched-company directors, Paxton's helming career is not a consequence of his success while watching camera. Before his looks in James Cameron's "The Terminator" and "Aliens," Paxton directed the 1980 animated short "Seafood Heads," by which he performed the primary character. While he's been busy the final couple of years with HBO's "Large Love," Paxton lately directed another video clip, "Tattoo," which stars "Frailty" thesp Forces Boothe and veteran character actor James Hong. Additionally to co-writing "Black Swan," which made $329 million worldwide, McLaughlin lately authored the Jason Statham-starrer "Parker" for director Taylor Hackford. Scribe is repped by WME. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com