The Karate Kid (2025)

The Karate Kid (Working Title) is an upcoming American martial arts drama film. It serves as a continuation of The Karate Kid franchise, with Jackie Chan^[2] and Ralph Macchio starring.^[3] The film is slated to release in theaters on May 30, 2025^[1], and marks the first time the series returns to the big screen since 2010.^[4]

Synopsis

Li is a skilled fighter and a student in Beijing who has his life uprooted when his mom decides that they're moving to Brooklyn for a work opportunity. Li is grappling with a past tragedy and bumping up against his doctor mother, who is dealing with the same tragedy but in an altogether different manner. While his mom is against violence and Kung Fu, Li finds purpose by training Victor in the art and finds himself back in the ring as well.^[2]

Plot

Cast

• Jackie Chan^[5][2] as Mr. Han^[3]
• Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso^[3]
• Ben Wang as Li Fong^[6][7]
• Joshua Jackson as TBA^[8]
• Ming-Na Wen as TBA^[8]
• Sadie Stanley as TBA^[8]

Production

Pre-production for the film, without the inclusion of American writers and actors who are still on strike, began on August 7, 2023, with an expected shoot date of September 4, 2023, in Montreal, Canada.^[2] Ultimately, production and filming was postponed as Sony launched a global casting campaign to find their teenaged lead.

Karate Kid started pre-production in Montreal, QC, Canada, on January 8, 2024. They have an expected shoot date of April 1, 2024.^[9] The start of production was commemorated with a social media post featuring a slate board and the movie's lead, Ben Wang.^[10] Filming wrapped on June 24, 2024.^[11]

Release

Sony announced the film on September 16, 2022, with their expected release date being June 7, 2024.^[4] On July 28th, 2023, Sony postponed the release of the film until December 13, 2024, due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike.^[12] The film would have released the same month as the 40th anniversary of the original, The Karate Kid, had it not been delayed from June to December.

It was then delayed from 2024 to May 30, 2025 so that it would not clash with the final season of Cobra Kai.

Reception

Gallery

Images

Videos

Notes and Trivia

• The canonicity of the 2010 film The Karate Kid was debated amongst fans, with many believing it to be a remake that disregards the original continuity because it didn't feature the original story or cast and focuses on Kung Fu and not karate. However, due to Jackie Chan reprising his role as Mr. Han and appearing alongside Ralph Macchio reprising the role of Daniel LaRusso, the upcoming film officially makes a 2010 remake canon with the original films and, by default, Cobra Kai.
• The film was officially announced on September 16, 2022. At the time, a cast, crew, synopsis, and proper film title were unknown.^[4]
• On August 17, 2022, Cobra Kai executive producer Jon Hurwitz confirmed that while he and the guys would love to make Karate Kid and Cobra Kai movies, the upcoming film isn't from them or focused on The Karate Kid cast. He added that he didn't know much about it, but wished them well.^[13]
• An August 10, 2022, a report allegedly listed a casting call for the lead character in The Karate Kid.
  • The 17-year-old teen named Li is described as, "small for his age, but tough, smart, and scrappy as well as a skilled fighter who has had his life uprooted to Brooklyn, New York," and focuses on, "Li dealing with a past tragedy that drives a wedge between himself and his mother."^[14]
  • Additionally, he would be the one training someone, a classmate named Mia's father, Victor, in Kung Fu.^[14]
• Various reports surfaced in early 2023 claiming that Jackie Chan is, or has been, in talks to join the cast of the 2024 film, most likely reprising his role as Mr. Han from the 2010 remake. This goes hand-in-hand with other reports stating that Kung-Fu would be the martial art focused on in the film.^[15] These were later proven true and he joined the cast as Mr. Han.
• The films logo was revealed at the Sony CES2024 Press Conference on January 9, 2024.^[16]
• On February 12, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that actor Ben Wang had been cast in the role of Li Fong.^[7]
  • This comes after over 10,000 people applied for the role in the first 24-hours. According to studio insiders, Wang delivered a, "standout audition that demonstrated his deep connection to the character. It also helped that he is fluent in Mandarin and highly skilled across many forms of martial arts, including karate, wing chun/kung fu, gumdo, kempo and taekwondo."
• On March 9, 2024, Ming-Na Wen, Joshua Jackson, and Sadie Stanley joined the cast.^[8]
• On April 26, 2024, it was reported by Deadline that the film had been pushed back for a new release in May of 2025.^[1]

References