December 18, 2024 | 5:24pm
MANILA, Philippines — Action star Jackie Chan and the original “Karate Kid” Ralph Macchio join forces in the franchise’s newest entry, “Karate Kid: Legends.”
A trailer released by Columbia Pictures sees a gray-haired Mr. Han (Chan reprising his role from 2010’s “The Karate Kid) overseeing a martial arts school in the middle of New York City.
“Our traditions are rooted in history — kung fu, karate — the tree grows strong,” narration by Mr. Han goes over clips of Ben Wang’s Li Fong training.
Li moved to New York from Beijing with his mother, played by Ming-Na Wen, and struggles to fit into his new environment.
The trailer then shows a taxi pull up to the iconic home of Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), where Mr. Han proclaims he is looking for Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso.
“In life, you have only one question: Is it worth fighting for?” goes the narration, as Mr. Han tells Daniel, “Li means to me what you meant to Sensei Miyagi.”
Quick clips show both Mr. Han and Daniel training Li for a competition, merging both kung fu and karate for an ultimate martial arts showdown.
WATCH: Jackie Chan teams up with Ralph Macchio in new ‘Karate Kid’ movie
“Two branches, one tree,” says Daniel as he hands Li his original headband from 1984’s “The Karate Kid,” and the trailer ends with more action clips slipped between the three actors’ names.
Macchio played Daniel LaRusso in the first three “The Karate Kid” movies during the 1980s, opposite the late Pat Morita; the latter appeared in a fourth movie with Hilary Swank.
Chan appeared in a 2010 remake set in China as the kung fu mentor to Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker. The 2010 movie was Chan’s last American live-action film until this new entry.
The popularity of “The Karate Kid” franchise saw a resurgence due to spin-off sequel series “Cobra Kai,” where Macchio reprised his famous role. The series approaches its finale.
Relative newcomer Wang recently starred in the series “American Born Chinese” and the musical film adaptation of “Mean Girls.”
“The End Of The F***ing World” and “I Am Not Okay With This” showrunner Jonathan Entwistle will direct a script from screenwriter Rob Lieber.
“Karate Kids: Legends” is currently set for a mid-2025 release date. — Video from Columbia Pictures Philippines’ YouTube channel
RELATED: ‘Snow White’ trailer shows expansion of Disney’s iconic film
Be the first to comment