Karate Kid: Legends bridges generations with Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio

Fans of The Karate Kid series rejoiced as the upcoming movie—Karate Kid: Legends—brought together the iconic worlds of the original films and the 2010 reboot. The teaser was released on Tuesday in which Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso and Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han met for the first time. The two seem to share more than their respective mentors’ teachings, which makes this film just as iconic as the franchise itself.

Set to be released in May next year, the upcoming film revolves around Li Fong (Ben Wang), a young martial artist and student of Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), as he prepares for a high-stakes martial arts competition. When Mr. Han realizes his training alone may not help Li succeed, he seeks out Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). LaRusso, the star student of the late Mr. Miyagi, steps in to help.

The film promises to honor the franchise’s legacy by blending its beloved characters with a fresh new storyline and hero. Ben Wang, known for his role in Disney’s American Born Chinese, was cast for his multilingual skills, martial arts expertise, and acting talent.

The Karate Kid franchise is one of the few iconic franchises that has stood the test of time. Ever since its debut in 1984 as a feature film, it has been around in the form of sequels, reboots, animated series, and the hit series Cobra Kai.

The original series was followed by The Karate Kid Part II in 1986, The Karate Kid Part III in 1989, and The Next Karate Kid in 1994. The reboot in 2010 starred both Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith and shifted the setting from the United States to China. The upcoming film is a sequel to the 2010 reboot and connects it to the original franchise.

Fans have already started marking their calendars for May 30, 2025, when the film is set to hit theaters. With Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, and rising star Ben Wang leading the way, Karate Kid: Legends promises to blend nostalgia, thrilling action, and heartfelt moments for audiences worldwide.