The Karate Kid remake ended up being better and bigger than anyone could have anticipated. In addition to earning largely positive reviews from critics, the movie was a box office hit, bringing in $55 million during its opening weekend in 2010 and pulling in over $350 million internationally by the time it left theaters. While a sequel has been in development since the remake's success, it's surprising that Colombia Pictures hasn't been working harder to try and get it done. Today they took a major step forward by bringing on a new writer, according to Variety.

Zak Penn, who is best known for writing the scripts for major superhero movies like Elektra, The Incredible Hulk and X-Men: The Last Stand, has been hired by the studio to rewrite the script for the untitled Karate Kid sequel. The studio had originally made a deal with Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris just a few weeks after the first movie's release, however, it seems that Penn is taking over the project completely. The story behind the new film is being kept under wraps, but there is an expectation that both Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, who played Dre Parker and Mr. Han, respectively, will be reprising their roles (no deals have been made yet). Overbrook Entertainment, Will Smith's production company, is on board the film, as is producer Jerry Weintraub. Penn's most recent work has been on the small screen, as he is credited as the creator of the television show Alphas, which will be starting its second season in July.

Penn is as hit or miss as they come, so who knows what we can expect from him on this. Are you excited for The Karate Kid 2 or whatever it ends up being called? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.