Wax on, kick off! Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio join forces in Karate Kid: Legends

A fresh chapter in the beloved Karate Kid franchise hits theaters today with Karate Kid: Legends, uniting action icons Jackie Chan as Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, the character from the original 1984 movie. The movie blends kung fu and karate in a thrilling new story.

A Familiar Heart in a New Tale

The film centers on Li Fong (Ben Wang), a talented Chinese teenager grappling with the loss of his older brother, a skilled kung fu fighter. When his mother, a doctor (Ming-Na Wen), takes a job in New York, they leave Beijing for a fresh start. Like past Karate Kid protagonists, Li struggles to fit into an unfamiliar world. In New York, he meets Mia (Sadie Stanley), who works at her father Victor’s (Joshua Jackson) struggling pizzeria. Victor, a former boxer, owes money to O’Shea (Tim Rozon), a loan shark running a karate dojo, whose top student, Connor Day (Aramis Knight), is Mia’s ex-boyfriend, sparking tension with Li.

Masters Unite

As conflicts escalate, Li enlists his kung fu mentor, Mr. Han, who seeks help from Daniel LaRusso. The two masters team up to train Li in a unique blend of kung fu and karate. The story builds toward a citywide tournament in New York, with rules designed to prevent fatalities while showcasing stunning martial arts. True to the franchise’s spirit, Li not only learns but teaches, coaching Victor in kung fu for a critical boxing match.

A Fusion of Martial Arts

Karate Kid: Legends merges ancient Chinese kung fu with Japanese karate, creating a dynamic new fighting style. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, with a script by Rob Lieber, the film was shot in Montreal from April to June 2024. The cast includes Shaunette Renée Wilson, Danny McBride, and Jennifer-Lynn Christie.

The sixth film in the Karate Kid series builds on the 2010 remake starring Chan while weaving in nostalgia with Macchio’s iconic return, promising a mix of heart, action, and legacy for fans old and new.