Ben Wang Becomes the New Karate Kid!

So he is going to be the new Karate Kid: following a casting call in November last year, a suitable person now seems to have been found for the role of the iconic character.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, young actor Ben Wang was able to secure the coveted role and prevail against more than 10,000 competitors. Wang rose to fame with the kung fu series "American Born Chinese" and can also be seen in the current remake of "Mean Girls" in cinemas.

The success of Ben Wang's audition is not only due to his acting skills, but also thanks to his deep connection to the character. The fact that he speaks fluent Mandarin and has experience in various martial arts, including karate, kung fu, gumdo and taekwondo, also played a decisive role in him being chosen.

The new adventure of the "Karate Kid" will revisit the characters of Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio from the earlier films. More details about the plot are still under wraps, but according to initial information, the story will be set on the East Coast and focus on a Chinese teenager. He is trained in the high art of karate by two mentors. The film is being directed by Jonathan Entwistle, known for "I Am Not Okay With This" and "The End of the F***ing World".

On December 13, 2024, we will have the chance to see for ourselves whether Wang will deliver a convincing portrayal of the character after Jaden Smith and Ralph Macchio, because that's when "Karate Kid" is scheduled to open in theaters!