Sony Pictures recently announced the title for its much-anticipated legacy sequel to the Karate Kid franchise, naming it Karate Kid: Legends. This sixth film instalment pairs the iconic characters Daniel LaRusso from the 1984 original and Mr. Han from the 2010 reboot, portrayed by Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan respectively.
Joining them in a dynamic new cast is Ben Wang (American Born Chinese) as the lead, alongside Joshua Jackson (Dawson’s Creek), Shaunette Renée Wilson (The Resident), Sadie Stanley (Kim Possible), Ming-Na Wen (The Mandalorian), Aramis Knight (Into the Badlands), Wyatt Oleff (It), and Jennifer-Lyn Christie.
Karate Kid: Legends marks the first film to merge the original Miyagiverse and the 2010 reboot, which included Jaden Smith. The plot remains secretive but revolves around Li Fong, played by Ben Wang, who discovers strength through martial arts under the guidance of mentors LaRusso and Han.
The announcement of the film’s title and logo took place on the social media platform X/Twitter, coinciding with its introduction at Sony’s panel during New York Comic-Con on 18 October. The panel will also spotlight two Marvel films, Venom: The Last Dance and Kraven the Hunter.
Filming for Karate Kid: Legends started in April 2024 and concluded in June, transitioning the project into post-production. The New York Comic-Con presentation will likely offer more insights, possibly including a first teaser trailer, images, or footage.
Interestingly, while the film ties into the universe established by the Cobra Kai series — a legacy sequel that continues the narrative of Macchio’s LaRusso and William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence — creators of Cobra Kai are not involved in the movie. Zabka is also not confirmed to be starring in the film as of yet.
The upcoming movie’s logo stays true to its roots, maintaining the classic font and colour scheme but introducing a modern brushstroke subtitle, “Legends”. This design choice hints at a blend of legacy and fresh elements, promising a deep dive into the franchise’s storied past while ushering in a new generation of martial arts enthusiasts.
Directed by Jonathan Entwistle with a screenplay by Rob Lieber, Karate Kid: Legends is set to premiere in theatres on 30 May 2025.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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