Forty years after Big Trouble in Little China hit theaters, one of its stars is ready to bring the cult classic back to the screen—with a modern twist. James Pax, who played the elemental warrior Lightning opposite Kurt Russell's Jack Burton, has a clear vision for a sequel series that would echo the success of Cobra Kai.
Speaking at a panel celebrating the film's 40th anniversary at Big Lick Comic Con, moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt, Pax shared his pitch. He noted that 20th Century Fox has held the rights for decades without doing anything, yet The Karate Kid got a second life as Cobra Kai. So why not Big Trouble? Pax, who has since become a director and screenwriter, is ready to take the reins himself.
"I'm going to take the helm and be the writer and the director," Pax said. "The next time I see Kurt, I'm gonna tell him: 'Kurt! You wanna partner up with me? I'm gonna write it, I'm gonna direct it, and you're still gonna be the star of it, but we're gonna put some younger guys in it, and make it a sequel, but then there'll be some episodes with prequel in it.' I think he's gonna be very excited."
Pax's idea taps into the same formula that made Cobra Kai a phenomenon. That series, which ran for six seasons and 65 episodes, brought back Ralph Macchio and William Zabka as middle-aged rivals whose old feud reignites when they open competing dojos. It premiered on YouTube Red in 2018 before moving to Netflix, where it found a massive audience.
If Pax gets his way, Big Trouble could follow a similar path—blending nostalgia with new characters and storylines. The original film, directed by John Carpenter, starred Russell as the swaggering trucker Jack Burton, who gets dragged into a supernatural battle in San Francisco's Chinatown when his friend's fiancée is kidnapped. The villain, David Lo Pan (James Hong), is an immortal sorcerer with three elemental warriors—Thunder, Rain, and Lightning—at his command.
Though the movie flopped at the box office in 1986, it has since become a beloved cult classic, celebrated for its mix of martial arts, comedy, and Carpenter's signature style. Pax, who also appeared in Invasion USA, Year of the Dragon, and Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects, has become a convention regular, and fans often ask about a sequel.
Pax's enthusiasm is infectious, but whether a studio will bite remains to be seen. For now, fans can only hope that his pitch reaches the right ears—and that Kurt Russell is as excited as Pax predicts. As the entertainment world continues to mine the '80s for nostalgia, Big Trouble in Little China seems like a prime candidate for a comeback.
For more on the latest in TV and streaming, check out our coverage of DC's grounded Lanterns series and the Highlander reboot buzz. And if you're a fan of classic martial arts, you might enjoy our ranking of the greatest detective novels.
