The delicate art of movie pairing

Chow Yun-Fat, the fleet-footed airborne warrior from “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” will soon be seen as a stealthy, powerful monk out to save the world in “Bulletproof Monk.”

Based on an underground comic book, “Monk” stars Chow as a mysterious figure who safeguards an ancient scroll that holds the key to unlimited power. But the monk is getting old, so he finds a new scroll-keeper in an unlikely candidate -- a streetwise kid named Kar, played by Seann William Scott (“American Pie”).

“Bulletproof Monk,” which opens Friday, is the latest example of a string of films that have paired veterans with young stars. This past weekend, Adam Sandler played opposite Jack Nicholson in “Anger Management,” while Steve Martin (known better for his 1980s comedies) teamed with Queen Latifah in “Bringing Down the House.”

With moviegoing demographics becoming increasingly diverse, studios hope to maximize potential by teaming up white actors with hip black or Asian stars, as they did with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson for “Shanghai Noon” and its sequel. Similarly and more successfully, longtime Hong Kong action star Chan joined Chris Tucker in the “Rush Hour” movies. Somewhat more riskily, Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett will play mismatched cops in this summer’s “Hollywood Homicide.”

Chow’s appeal, as evidenced by “Crouching Tiger’s” worldwide gross of $213.5 million, has not yet translated to mainstream recognition.

Scott has turned in energetically amusing performances in several youth-oriented comedies. Their prospects as a duo are uncertain, but with studios eager for movies to play across all age and ethnic groups, you can be sure they’ll continue to search for teams that potentially pack more punch than individuals.

-- Lorenza Munoz