Key Takeaways:
– Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan are collaborating on a new ‘The Karate Kid' movie.
– Newcomer Ben Wang will play the role of the new ‘karate kid' Li Fong.
– Veteran actor Jackie Chan's enthusiasm and dedication were highly praised by co-star Ralph Macchio.
– The movie is set to be released in 2025 due to delays in producing Cobra Kai Season 6.
Macchio and Chan Rekindle ‘The Karate Kid' Franchise
Hollywood actors Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan are joining forces to create a fresh installment in the iconic ‘The Karate Kid' series. Under Sony's banner, the filming commenced in April 2024 with the duo creating a lot of excitement with their return. They had earlier launched a global casting search for young talents to feature in this much-anticipated flick.
Sharing his experience, Macchio said that working with veteran actor Chan felt like a wonderful opportunity. He appreciated Chan's passion and commitment to the film, noting that Chan approached each day of filming with fresh enthusiasm.
Introducing Ben Wang as the New Prodigy
Ben Wang, a young talent, will be showcased as the new ‘karate kid' Li Fong in the upcoming release. The film will be directed by Jonathan Entwistle, best known for his work in ‘I'm Not Okay with This' and ‘The End of the F***ing World.' Rob Lieber has been recruited to write the script for the film.
In Praise of Jackie Chan
Macchio lauded the efforts of his co-star in a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter. He applauded Chan's heart, soul, and compassion, pointing out how he has continued to bring a youthful zest to the film set, even after decades in the industry. Macchio stated that he looked up to Chan and wished to mirror his approach as his own career evolves.
The Debut Delayed to 2025
The release of this movie was initially slated for this year. However, due to the delay in the production of the Cobra Kai Season 6, the film's release has been postponed to 2025. The showrunners of Cobra Kai are working in collaboration with Jonathan Entwistle and his team to ensure the continuity of the storylines across various iterations of the franchise.
Chan's Enthusiasm Fuels Fans' Excitement
Jackie Chan's energy continues to fuel the anticipation of Karate Kid fans. Despite his 2010 film being considered somewhat underwhelming, the legendary actor's charm and fervor during the recent filming seem to promise much more. At 70, Chan shows no signs of slowing down and continues to thrill his fans.
A New Prodigy Emerges
Chan has been candid about his quest to find a worthy successor. He noted the challenges actors who are proficient in martial arts face when trying to break into the industry. However, it appears that Ben Wang could be stepping into those shoes as he takes on the role of the new child prodigy in the upcoming film.
To get ready for the release, fans can now stream Season 6 of Cobra Kai on Netflix, along with the first three Karate Kid movies on Starz. The 2010 version of The Karate Kid is also available for streaming on Netflix.
