Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, who starred in separate “Karate Kid” films decades apart, will reunite in an all-new film set in the martial arts series.
The new film, produced by Sony Pictures, directed by Jonathan Entwistle and writer Rob Lieber, will debut in theaters on December 13, 2024. Karen Rosenfelt is producing.
Details of the new film are still being kept under wraps, but Macchio will reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso, which he played in the original “Karate Kid” film trilogy that began in 1984 and was brought back in the Netflix “Cobra Kai” series. Chan will return to the role of Mr. Han, the Kung Fu master inspired by Mr. Miyagi, who trained Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker in the 2010 remake.
Macchio has maintained the character of Daniel in Cobra Kai, which announced its sixth and final season earlier this year. Created by Josh Heald, John Horowitz and Hayden Schlossberg, the show takes place several decades after the events of the original “Karate Kid” films, sparking a rivalry between Daniel and the now middle-aged Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka).
It’s unclear how the sprawling “Cobra Kai” story will factor into the new “Karate Kid” movie.
Making the announcement in a video posted to YouTube, Chan and Macchio launched a global search for a new Karate Kid to lead the film, inviting young actors to submit audition tapes to KarateKidCasting.com.
Since 1984, the “Karate Kid” series has become one of Hollywood’s most beloved sports stories, spawning the Emmy-nominated “Cobra Kai” series and grossing more than $430 million at the global box office.
Macchio is repped by Untitled Entertainment, Buchwald, Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller & Gellman, LLP and Jill Fritzo PR. Chan is repped by CAA and Jessica Chen. Entwistle is repped by CAA, Grandview, 42 and Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer. Lipper is repped by Verve, Fourth Wall Management, Sloane, Offer, and Weber & Dern.
Watch the announcement video below.
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