Info in Movie News | Following the success of Cobra Kai in expanding the Karate Kid universe, a new movie titled Karate Kid: Legends is set to take the franchise in a broader direction. The movie will not only reunite Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, but also bring Jackie Chan back in his role as Mr. Han from the 2010 version of Karate Kid. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, Karate Kid: Legends is scheduled for release on May 30, 2025, and will serve as a meeting point between two generations of Karate Kid which were previously considered separate.
New Story, Old Connections
As reported by Screenrant, one of the appealing elements of Karate Kid: Legends is the introduction of a new character, Li Fong, played by Ben Wang. The plot reveals that Li is a student of Mr. Han's, but along the way, he will also receive guidance from Daniel LaRusso. This opens up the opportunity to see how the two central Karate Kid characters' teaching philosophies evolve, and how they interact in training a new student.
The movie also has the potential to explore the relationship between Mr. Han and Mr. Miyagi. In the released trailer, there are indications that they shared a past together. Director Jonathan Entwistle's comments further reinforce this theory, as he mentions that the Han and Miyagi families have been linked for a long time. Probably, such a connection can bep associated with The Karate Kid Part II, which indicates that the founder of Miyagi-do Karate, Shimpo Miyagi, lived in Hong Kong before returning to Okinawa to begin his training as a self-defender.
Avoiding Cobra Kai's Mistakes
Even though the movie features endless references to Mr. Miyagi in this movie, Karate Kid: Legends seems to be more prudent with the handling of this character. In Cobra Kai, the frequent references to Miyagi often troubled audiences due to one reason; Stephen's presentation made Ak something more than a simple story but the overuse of the legend overshadowed the real development of the other characters of the TV series which led to some anticlimaxes.
One of the concerns is the use of deepfake or de-aging technology to virtually bring back the role of Mr. Miyagi. Jackson apparently employed this technology in the sixth season of Cobra Kai to put Pat Morita in some places, raising a matter of discussion among the fans. With great expectations, the movie Karate Kid: Legends will not use a similar technique, instead, it will use the characters' interactions and the story development to explore Miyagi's legacy.
With a fresher approach and not solely relying on nostalgic elements, Karate Kid: Legends has a great opportunity to be the movie that connects two generations and takes the Karate Kid universe in a broader, more relevant direction for modern audiences. The rapport of Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han in a single storyline sounds appealing and it also brings a certain level of unpredictability, as the entrance of a new character, like Li Fong, opens up potential for greater future story development.
According to the release date of May 30, 2025, Karate Kid: Legends is still scheduled to be a new epic chapter in the Karate Kid history.
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