In addition to confirming they will unite for the new movie, the two stars from separate 'The Karate Kid' movies announce a global search for the next Karate Kid in the new film.
- Nov 22, 2023
AceShowbiz - Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio are joining forces for a new "The Karate Kid" movie. In a double dose of nostalgia, the two actors have confirmed that they will reprise their roles from separate "Karate Kid" movies in the upcoming film.
To announce their return to the franchise, Chan and Macchio appear in a video together where they also inform fans about the global search for the next Karate Kid. "Hi, everyone! We've got big news," Chan begins in the clip.
"We're starring in a new 'Karate Kid' movie together," Macchio continues, before Chan adds, "That's big news. But we even have bigger news. ... We're looking for next Karate Kid."
"That's right. The global search for the star of our new film starts right now," Macchio adds, "So let's wax on, wax off everybody." He's quoting the famed "Karate Kid" line from Mr. Miyagi, played by the late Pat Morita.
Chan begs to differ, suggesting, "You mean, check it on, check it off, hang it up." Macchio then comes with a solution, "Maybe the new Karate Kid will have to do it all. I'm excited. You excited?" to which his new co-star responds, "I'm very very excited."
Those eying to land a role in the new "Karate Kid" movie can visit karatekidcasting.com for more details of the casting process.
Macchio will reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso, whom he portrayed in the 1984 movie and its two sequels, "The Karate Kid Part II" in 1986 and "The Karate Kid Part III" in 1989. There's another sequel, "The Next Karate Kid" (1994), but Macchio was not involved in it, although Morita returned as Miyagi. It starred Hilary Swank as one of Miyagi's new students.
Chan, meanwhile, starred in the 2010 remake of the same title "The Karate Kid", which featured Jaden Smith as the young martial art prodigy. It received generally favorable reviews, but a planned sequel has never come to fruition because Chan said the initial script did not work well.
Sony Pictures announced last fall that a new "Karate Kid" movie is in development for a 2024 release. However, when asked by EW in September, Macchio said he knew absolutely nothing. "I have no other information," he said, before adding. "I think that [will be figured out] in the near future, or I may have nothing to do with it."
