In September 2022, Sony announced a new “Karate Kid” film in the ever-growing franchise. Earlier today, the company released the first official poster for “Karate Kid: Legends.” Returning franchise stars Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan are shown hovering above the series’ newest protégé.
The Plot of “Karate Kid: Legends”
“Karate Kid: Legends” will have the aging duo of Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) and Mr. Han (Chan) training a brand new character played by Ben Wang. The tagline reads “Legends are forever,” with Wang in a classic fighting pose. This film will stick to the format of its predecessors; an aging master(s) trains a young, often troubled, student in the art of karate.
Given the franchise already consists of five feature films, the 1989 series “The Karate Kid,” and six seasons of “Cobra Kai,” this formula is obviously working. However, that isn’t to say the movie has nothing new to offer. The sixth film will merge the original 1980s films starring Macchio with the 2010 remake starring Chan.
Meaning the franchise’s various entities are now confirmed to be in a connected universe. And that this film takes place after the events seen in all the previous entries. Presumably setting Wang up to be the next Karate kid, shouldering the series like Daniel LaRusso has done off and on.
“Karate Kid: Legends,” will also star Ming-Na Wen (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Joshua Jackson (“Dr. Death”), and Sadie Stanley (“Cruel Summer”). It is directed by Jonathan Entwistle (“I Am Not Okay With This”) from a script by Rob Lieber (“Peter Rabbit”).
The film was originally slated for release in December 2024 but was pushed back to May 30, 2025. We’ll keep you posted on updates about “Karate Kid: Legends,” as they become available.
