Well, considering that Charlie will be 'free game', I could see some enterprising writer/director/producer deciding to announce that they are 'bringing Charlie Chan into the 21st Century', and change him up to suit their leanings.
I envision that somebody will decide to remake him into a Bruce Lee like action hero. They get to keep all of the 'words of wisdom', but they make him 'hot' for the female demographic, and a martial arts superstar to bring in the 18-45 year old male demographic.
Not how I would go with the character, but doubtless someone will.
M.M. you are probably right...karate chops a plenty (you don't see those too much any more :). I believe that was what they'd planned when Lucy Lu was considering a Chan movie as his granddaughter, around 2006.
In my humble opinion, it will take someone like Guy Ritchie (of the recent Sherlock Holmes films) to produce a true Charlie Chan film. You got any pull? :wink:
Sorry, no pull here. But once public domain kicks in, if any enterprising independent filmmaker with a gift for gab can convince somebody to bankroll their own film version of the character, they’ll be in the clear to do so.