The Karate Kid Franchise Continues: Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio Team Up to Train a New Generation
In a move that is set to excite fans of the martial arts movie franchise, Dawn reports that Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio are joining forces to train a new karate kid in the latest instalment of the series. The new film, titled Karate Kid: Legends, has been released this week and stars Ben Wang as Li Fong, a Beijing kung fu whizz who moves to New York with his mother.
According to Dawn, Li Fong befriends pizza restaurant owner and retired boxer Victor and his daughter Mia, but their friendship is put to the test when it irks a local karate champion. As a result, Li enters a karate tournament and begins training with his old kung fu teacher Mr Han, played by Chan, and Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso, the protagonist of the original 1984 film The Karate Kid. LaRusso, as fans will know, learned karate from mentor Mr Miyagi.
In an interview with Reuters, which was cited by Dawn, Macchio discussed the concept of the new film, saying: "They presented the concept to me … connecting the Miyagi to the Han family and how that made sense … I was like ‘That’s kind of clever. Okay, so how do we maintain this connective tissue into Li Fong’s story that is organic and truthful’." Macchio also expressed his excitement at working with Chan, saying: "Working with Jackie was like, ‘Woohoo sign me up — when, where?’ And then who’s the kid? If we don’t love this kid, then you have no movie."
This latest instalment of the Karate Kid franchise marks Macchio’s fourth film playing LaRusso, a character he also portrayed in the Cobra Kai television series. Chan reprises the role of Mr Han, a character he first played in the 2010 film The Karate Kid opposite Jaden Smith. In an interview with Reuters, as reported by Dawn, Chan said: "Now we’ve both become a Miyagi," referring to both his and Macchio’s characters becoming mentors. He added: "I remember when I saw the first one. Why him (Macchio)? Why not me?… I want to be The Karate Kid. (Now) We work together."
Ben Wang, 25, who plays Li Fong in the new film, said that Chan’s 2010 film introduced him to the franchise. In an interview with Dawn, Wang said: "Stepping into it, it’s a terrifying thing in a certain way because it’s a beloved franchise and … the fans love it so much so I want to do right by them." He added: "But it’s also a great honour because a lot of people auditioned for this part so I know how special and lucky it is that I get to do this with the two of them."
The new film is set to be a hit with fans of the Karate Kid franchise, who have been eagerly awaiting the next instalment of the series. With Chan and Macchio on board, the film is sure to deliver the same level of martial arts action and heart that fans have come to expect from the franchise. As Dawn reports, the film’s blend of fighting techniques and mentorship is set to inspire a new generation of fans.
The enduring popularity of the Karate Kid franchise is a testament to the timeless appeal of the underdog story and the universal language of martial arts. As the franchise continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how the new generation of fans responds to the latest instalment. One thing is certain, however: with Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio on board, Karate Kid: Legends is set to be a must-see film for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
