Karate Kid Movie Preview
All you need to know about the big crossover of "Karate Kid" and "Cobra Kai"
The Karate Kid returns! 14 years have passed since the last film remake of the classic "Karate Kid". Back then, Will Smith's son Jaden played the titular role. Now a new movie is in the making. So it's about time we had a closer look at the project!
This is What the Karate Kid is All About
The story is similar to the previous movies, but there are also minor differences. Young Li Fong moves to the US east coast with his mother. There, he is trained by two mentors in the fine art of karate and has to put his newly acquired skills to the test in a tournament. More details are still under wraps. However, it is known that the new movie will combine the worlds of "Karate Kid" and the sequel series "Cobra Kai".
Cast & Crew
A key role in the new "Karate Kid" film will be played by young actor Ben Wang, who succeeded in securing the coveted role of Li Fong. Wang prevailed against 10,000 other candidates. His fluency in Mandarin and his experience in various martial arts such as karate, kung fu, haidong gumdo and taekwondo are likely to have played a decisive role.
Back in November 2023, it was announced that Jackie Chan as Mr. Han and "Karate Kid" veteran Ralph Macchio in his signature role as Daniel LaRusso would be standing in front of the camera together. The two actors announced this in a video on YouTube. In recent years, the "Karate Kid" franchise has gained new popularity, particularly thanks to the successful spin-off "Cobra Kai" on Netflix. In it, Ralph Macchio already returned to his old role. Jackie Chan, on the other hand, was seen as the mentor in the 2010 reboot.
The cast will be joined by the likes of Ming-Na Wen, known from "The Book of Boba Fett" and "Mulan". Joshua Jackson, Shaunette Renee Wilson and Wyatt Oleff will also be taking on roles. In addition, there are rumors that Jaden Smith may make an appearance as Dre Parker.
The new movie will be directed by Jonathan Entwistle, who became known for his work on the Netflix series "I Am Not Okay With This". The screenplay was written by Rob Lieber, who was also responsible for "Peter Rabbit" and "Goosebumps 2".
"Karate Kid" will be released in movie theaters on May 30, 2025.
Other Projects from the "Karate Kid" Universe
While "Cobra Kai" on Netflix is approaching its end with the sixth season, creators Hayden Schlossberg, Josh Heald and Jon Hurwitz are already thinking about further projects in the "Karate Kid" universe. The possibility of a "Mr. Miyagi" prequel, which would shed light on the background story of the iconic mentor character, appears to be particularly promising. Although there are no further details yet, the project seems to be at the top of the creators' wish list. It is not yet known whether the project will be realized as a series on Netflix or as a film.