Smith to star in ‘Karate Kid’ remake

Q: I really enjoyed Jaden Smith’s performance in “The Pursuit of Happyness.” Does he have any more projects coming up? — Shirley K., Lady Lake, Fla.

A: The 11-year-old son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith wowed audiences with his dramatic performance in the 2006 tearjerker. Next up for Jaden is the remake of the 1984 martial-arts classic, “The Karate Kid,” which opens this June. Jaden plays the role of Dre Parker, a young boy who moves to China with his mother (played by Taraji P. Henson) and is bullied by kids at school. Dre seeks help from Mr. Han (played by Jackie Chan), a maintenance man who is secretly a kung fu master.

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Q: What is the name of the young actor who played the main character in the movie “Witness,” and has he been in any other movies? What is he doing now? — Patricia H., Newport, Tenn.

Erin Karpluk A: Lukas Haas, 33, played the young Samuel Lapp, an Amish boy who witnesses the brutal murder of an undercover police officer in a railway station restroom. Lukas has since played characters on the big and small screen, including the feature films “Mars Attacks!” “Everyone Says I Love You” and “Material Girls,” and TV shows “24,” “Entourage” and “Criminal Minds.” He recently wrapped the movie “Inception,” a big-budget sci-fi thriller with Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard and Ellen Page. It’s scheduled for release in July.

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Q: I love the SOAPnet show “Being Erica,” and am anxious for its return. When does Season Two start? — Avis S., Venice Fla.

A: Season Two of the Canadian time-traveling dramedy started Jan. 20. Just like the first season, in every episode, Erica Strange (played by Erin Karpluk) goes back in time to relive a regret from her past in order to come back and make a positive change in her present. I spoke recently with Erin, who gave me some clues as to what to expect this season: “The show is much sexier and edgier this season, and more forwardthinking. Erica uses what she has been learning and applies it in her own life, and also uses it to try to help others.”

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Q: What happened to the show “Find My Family”? Will it be coming back, and if so, when? I love that show. — Carrie F., Englewood, Fla.

A: The reality show “Find My Family,” which features reunions of long-lost family members — usually one member was given up for adoption and now wants to find his/her birth family, or vice versa — debuted on ABC in late November. The show is slated to return this year; however, according to a representative for the show, no decisions have been made as to exactly when.

Check my Web site often (www.celebrityextraonline.com), as I’ll keep readers posted on the status of the show as soon as I hear something. You also can find lots of other up-to-the-minute celebrity news and interviews on the site.

Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; or e-mail her at letters@cindyelavsky.com. For more news and extended interviews, visit www.celebrityextraonline. com and twitter.com/Celebrity_Extra.

(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.