Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio return to 'Karate Kid' franchise

"Karate Kid: Legends," starring Jackie Chan, one of China's most renowned kung fu stars, will open in Chinese theaters on June 7, aiming to revive one of Hollywood's most beloved martial arts franchises.

A still from "Karate Kid: Legends." [Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment]

Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, "Karate Kid: Legends" follows Ben Wang as Li Fong, a kung fu prodigy who moves to New York City with his mother. There, he finds comfort in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. That is until he attracts the unwanted attention of a formidable local karate champion. To defend himself, Li trains under kung fu master Mr. Han and the legendary Daniel LaRusso, merging their distinct styles to prepare for the ultimate martial arts showdown.

At the premiere in New York on May 27, 71-year-old Jackie Chan told reporters he still performs his own stunts, though with less intensity than in his earlier days. Chan emphasized the audiences' demand for authenticity and reflected on his career-long mission to prove himself as an actor rather than just a fighter. 

The sixth installment in "The Karate Kid" franchise reunites Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, reprising their iconic roles - Daniel LaRusso from the original trilogy (1984-1989) and Mr. Han from the 2010 remake. Together, they mentor Li Fong, combining traditional karate with Chinese kung fu in the new adventure. 

"Bringing these two legends together is beyond a producer's dream," producer Karen Rosenfelt said of uniting Chan and Macchio. "What's fresh and unique about this movie is that both Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso are training a Chinese, Mandarin-speaking boy. It is a story about family and recovering what's important. It works as a standalone if you have never seen a 'Karate Kid' film, and it's also a love letter to those who were there for 'The Karate Kid' in 1984."

Macchio noted, "I've been careful over the years with protecting this franchise, protecting this character. The evolution of these characters, the themes in the original movie, they still stand the test of time and win over each generation."

The film explores how Chinese kung fu and Japanese karate interact through technical fusion and a dynamic exchange of philosophies. Chan said his return to the "Karate Kid" series is driven by his hope to use cinema to promote Chinese culture globally.

He noted that karate actually evolved from Chinese kung fu, emphasizing that despite their different names, martial arts are deeply connected. By combining kung fu and karate, he said the film not only celebrates cultural heritages but also spreads a message of unity and compassion - something the world urgently needs.

Chan observes that more young people are discovering kung fu in new ways. He continues to experiment with blending different styles - from boxing to Wing Chun to acrobatics - to keep the art form dynamic. "I often tell my disciples and fellow martial artists in China that our kung fu must evolve, " he said.

With its explosive fight choreography and heartfelt homage to Karate Kid icon Mr. Miyagi, the new film delivers a fresh yet nostalgic experience. It captivates both new audiences and longtime fans, with strong earnings. As of June 2, the film earned $47.67 million globally since it hit theaters on May 30, all before the official release in China on June 7.

A still from "Karate Kid: Legends." [Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment]

After an extensive global search, Ben Wang was cast as the new Karate Kid. Wang first discovered the franchise through the 2010 film, a story that mirrored his own move from Beijing to New York. This personal connection drew him to the role and he did most of his own stunts, demonstrating his potential as a rising star.

"It gets me emotional," Wang said. "This idea of going somewhere completely new and having to start over and finding people who help you along the way. And that's what these movies are really about. Behind kung fu and karate and all that cool stuff, it's about finding your way, learning to fit in, and finding good teachers."

The film's fresh narrative approach allows the cast and crew to balance innovative storytelling with respect for the franchise's 40-year legacy. "What we've made is definitely a movie with heart, humor and action," Entwistle said. "It's about fighting for your family, or learning what to fight for, and I think that's the most important message. But it's wrapped up in a real martial arts film, a real action-adventure film, with lots of heart and lots of big scenes of people learning what it means to grow up."