What are some of the worst casting choices ever made, in your opinion?

[Rumann Koch]

David Carradine in the 1986 movie Kung Fu: The Movie (based on the 1970s TV series Kung Fu).

I remember watching this obvious white guy masquerading as a Chinese martial arts badass. But every time he was forced to 'fight' it was shown in ultra slow-motion! Carradine had no martial arts training whatsoever, but relied on controlled movements he had learned during his earlier training as a dancer.

It has been said that Bruce Lee himself had come up with the idea of a Shaolin Monk wandering the American West armed only with his Kung Fu skills. In fact Lee auditioned for the lead role of Kwai Chang Caine but lost it to Carradine because TV executives were worried that his Chinese accent was too thick for American audiences!

[P47P47]

Originally Posted by Rumann Koch

I remember watching this obvious white guy masquerading as a Chinese martial arts badass.

The character was supposed to be the son of an American (of European ancestry) man and a Chinese woman. I guess he mostly resembled Dad.

Oh, well, Warner Oland was Charlie Chan and Peter Lorre was Mr. Moto.

[Rumann Koch]

Originally Posted by P47P47

The character was supposed to be the son of an American (of European ancestry) man and a Chinese woman. I guess he mostly resembled Dad.

You're right - I forgot about that (I was quite young when it premiered).

In the pilot episode it is explained that Caine's beloved mentor, Master Po, is murdered by the Emperor's nephew. Caine retaliates by killing the nephew, and with a price on his head Caine flees China to the western United States where he seeks to find his family roots and, ultimately, his half-brother, Danny Caine.