Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, who starred in various “Karate Kid” films decades apart, will reunite for a brand new film set in the martial arts franchise.
The new film from Sony Pictures, director Jonathan Entwistle and writer Rob Lieber will premiere in theaters on December 13, 2024. Karen Rosenfelt is the producer.
Plot details for the new film are being kept under wraps, but Macchio will reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso, which he played in the original “Karate Kid” film trilogy starting in 1984 and which he reprized in the Netflix series “Cobra Kai.” . Chan will return to the role of Mr. Han, a kung fu master based on Mr. Miyagi who trained Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker in the 2010 remake.
Macchio retained the character of Daniel in “Cobra Kai,” whose sixth and final season was announced earlier this year. Created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, this show is set several decades after the events of the original Karate Kid films and sparks a rivalry between the now middle-aged Daniel and Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka).
It’s unclear how the sprawling story of “Cobra Kai” will factor into the new “Karate Kid” film.
Chan and Macchio made the announcement in a video posted on YouTube, launching a global casting search for a brand new karate kid to star in the film. They invited young actors to submit audition videos to KarateKidCasting.com.
Since 1984, the Karate Kid franchise has become one of Hollywood’s most popular sports sagas. It spawned the Emmy-nominated “Cobra Kai” series and grossed 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 represented by CAA and Jessica Chen. Entwistle is repped by CAA, Grandview, 42 and Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer. Leiber is represented by Verve, Fourth Wall Management and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
Watch the announcement video below.