The Karate Kid franchise is making a triumphant return to the big screen with Karate Kid: Legends, a film that celebrates its rich legacy while introducing a fresh protagonist. Entertainment Weekly has released the first look at the upcoming movie, featuring iconic figures Jackie Chan as Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, alongside newcomer Ben Wang as Li Fong, the series’ next martial arts star.
Karate Kid: Legends centers on Fong, a teenager navigating a challenging new life in New York City after moving from Beijing with his mother, played by Ming-Na Wen. The full synopsis reads, “When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition — but his skills alone aren’t enough. Li’s kung fu teacher Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.”
The first-look images reveal a glimpse of the trio strategising over a map of New York City’s boroughs and Li undergoing rigorous martial arts training. The visuals highlight the film’s commitment to balancing heartfelt storytelling with action-packed sequences. Director Jonathan Entwistle shared that the movie connects the 2010 reboot universe, featuring Chan, with the original Karate Kid timeline, “I can say that Mr. Han and Mr. Miyagi are the connection to Daniel. The Han family and the Miyagi family are connected all the way back to the old times. And there is a mention of this within the Karate Kid movie canon for those people who want to go looking for it.”
The film’s cast extends beyond the central trio. Sadie Stanley stars as Li’s love interest, while Joshua Jackson plays her father, Victor. Shaunette Renée Wilson, Aramis Knight, Wyatt Oleff, Danny McBride, and Jennifer-Lyn Christie round out the ensemble, with their roles yet to be fully disclosed.
While Karate Kid: Legends draws heavily from the beloved Miyagiverse, it also builds on the foundation laid by the Cobra Kai series, which explored the lives of LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence decades after their initial rivalry.
Entwistle collaborated with the Cobra Kai creators to ensure continuity and expand the franchise’s world, saying, “I’ve had some really detailed conversations with the Cobra Kai team about just cool stuff that we can do in the movie and can make this whole thing feel holistic. And obviously, Ralph is really, really close to it after all those years on Cobra Kai, and they’ve been involved in little steps along the way. Everything we talked about made it into the movie in some way or other, either through Ralph or through the conversations. We’re really excited that we’ve added another piece to the overall universe.”
For fans of martial arts cinema and long-time followers of the Karate Kid saga, Karate Kid: Legends offers an exciting mix of nostalgia and fresh energy. With the return of familiar faces, a dynamic new protagonist, and an engaging storyline, the film aims to honour its legacy while paving the way for a new generation.
Karate Kid: Legends opens in cinemas on 30 May 2025.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.
Kevin Low
