"Karate Kid: Legends": Poster and Trailer Released!

With "Karate Kid: Legends", a major crossover awaits us next year that will unite the worlds of "Cobra Kai" and "Karate Kid" with Jackie Chan. Now there's a first poster and a trailer.

The poster was published on the film's official X account. The focus is on the new Karate Kid, embodied by Ben Wang. Meanwhile, Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han are ready to be mentors for the next generation.

The exclusive trailer was presented at least to visitors to the New York Comic Con. According to industry magazine Deadline, the first scene of the trailer began in a martial arts academy. This is where Jackie Chan as Mr. Han recruits the new Karate Kid. It quickly becomes clear that the story will return to the training and life lessons that have already played a central role in previous films. A little later, Ralph Macchio is also seen as Daniel LaRusso - along with a portrait of the late Mr. Miyagi.

The message conveyed by the new teaser trailer is particularly exciting. Quote:

"When families unite, a new legacy begins."

These words suggest that "Karate Kid: Legends" will focus more on family themes.

In addition to Ben Wang, Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, we will also get to see "The Book of Boba Fett" actress Ming-Na Wen, Joshua Jackson, Shaunette Renee Wilson and Wyatt Oleff. The film is directed by Jonathan Entwistle, who is known for his work on the Netflix series "I Am Not Okay With This". "Karate Kid: Legends" will be released in cinemas on May 30, 2025.

All Karate Kid Films at a Glance

The "Karate Kid" series, which began in 1984, has developed into a real cult classic and now spans several films and the successful "Cobra Kai" series. The films focus on the story of Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who learns martial arts from Mr. Miyagi, a Japanese karate master, in order to assert himself against his adversaries. The central theme of the movies revolves around discipline, self-control and overcoming challenges – not only in the ring, but also in life.

The Beginning: "The Karate Kid" (1984)

The first "The Karate Kid" film, directed by John G. Avildsen, was a huge success and made its mark on a generation of viewers. Ralph Macchio played Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who struggles with bullying and social pressure after moving from the East Coast to the West Coast. He befriends Mr. Miyagi (played by Pat Morita), an elderly janitor and karate master who not only teaches him karate, but also gives him valuable life lessons along the way.

The climax of the movie is the All Valley Karate Tournament, in which Daniel competes against his nemesis Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka). Johnny is trained by John Kreese, the tough and merciless leader of the Cobra Kai dojo. The movie became famous for Daniel's iconic "crane technique" and the emotional victory in the tournament.

The Sequels: "Karate Kid Part 2" (1986) and "Karate Kid Part III" (1989)

The success of the first film was followed by two direct sequels. In "The Karate Kid Part 2", Daniel travels with Mr. Miyagi to Okinawa, where the plot focuses more on Miyagi's past and his conflicts. Daniel learns new aspects of karate and faces a new enemy, Chozen Toguchi, a local karate champion. The film shifts the focus from the USA to Japan and explores the philosophy of karate in greater depth.

In "The Karate Kid Part III", the action returns to the US, where Daniel and Mr. Miyagi are once again threatened by John Kreese and a new villain, Terry Silver. Kreese and Silver attempt to break Daniel in another karate tournament and force him back into the Cobra Kai dojo. Although the movie did not reach the popularity of the first part, it still developed a loyal fan base.

A New Attempt: "The Next Karate Kid" (1994)

In "The Next Karate Kid" (1994), the franchise attempted to reinvent itself. Pat Morita returned as Mr. Miyagi, but instead of Ralph Macchio, Hilary Swank took on the lead role as Julie Pierce, a young student who learns karate from Miyagi. Although the movie was not as successful as its predecessors, it remains a part of the Karate Kid universe.

The Remake: "The Karate Kid" (2010)

In 2010, a remake of the original was released with the title "The Karate Kid", starring Jaden Smith as Dre Parker and Jackie Chan as his teacher Mr. Han. Although the plot was similar to the first movie, the remake moved the action to China and focused on Kung Fu instead of Karate. The movie was well received and offered a fresh take on the classic story for a new generation of viewers.

"Cobra Kai" – The Sequel as a Series

With "Cobra Kai", the "Karate Kid" franchise experienced a true renaissance in 2018. The series, which originally launched on YouTube Premium and was later picked up by Netflix, continues the story of the films, but from a new perspective. The focus is now on Johnny Lawrence and his take on the events of the original films. After years of disappointment and a failed career, Johnny reopens the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting old conflicts between him and Daniel LaRusso.

The series manages to combine nostalgic elements with modern themes and appeals to both old fans of the movies and a new generation of viewers. William Zabka and Ralph Macchio return in their iconic roles as Johnny and Daniel and deliver impressive performances. The series shows that no one is clearly good or evil and shows the characters in a new light.

Over the course of six seasons, Cobra Kai develops into a complex story of rivalry, forgiveness and personal growth. In addition to Johnny and Daniel, the series introduces a new generation of karate students, including Johnny's son Robby Keene and Daniel's daughter Samantha LaRusso. Miguel Diaz, one of Johnny's first students, also develops into a central character in the story.

Cobra Kai managed to maintain the dynamics of the original movie while exploring deeper themes of masculinity, family responsibility and personal maturity. The series became a worldwide success and received numerous awards.