Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio are teaming up for a brand-new “Karate Kid” movie set to hit theaters on December 13, 2024. The story behind the new film is shrouded in mystery, especially with who the new Karate Kid will be. That’s because Chan and Macchio are on the lookout for a fresh face to lead the movie. In doing so, they’ve kicked off a global casting search, inviting aspiring karate kids to submit audition tapes at KarateKidCasting.com.
This project is directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Rob Lieber, with Karen Rosenfelt in the producer’s chair. This will be the first time Chan and Macchio share the screen together under the Karate
For fans of the original trilogy, Macchio will reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso, the karate champ we all rooted for in the ’80s. Chan, on the other hand, is reprising his role as Mr. Han, a kung fu master reminiscent of the legendary Mr. Miyagi. He starred in the 2010 remake opposite Jaden Smith as the karate kid.
Now, if you’re a die-hard “Cobra Kai” follower, you know Macchio’s been keeping the Daniel LaRusso flame alive in the series, which announced its sixth and final season. The show, a brainchild of Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, brought back the old rivalry between Daniel and Johnny Lawrence, played by William Zabka.
Since 1984, the “Karate Kid” franchise has become a Hollywood favorite, pulling in over $430 million globally. It’s not just the movies; the Emmy-nominated “Cobra Kai” series has kept the flame alive for a whole new generation.
This collaboration between Chan and Macchio is a dream come true for fans who’ve been waiting for these two legends to share the screen. With Entwistle, known for his work on “The End of the F***ing World,” at the helm, we can expect a fresh take on the martial arts universe.