New Karate Kid Movie To Include Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan

Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan are teaming up for a new Karate Kid movie. Both actors starred in separate installments of the fan-favorite franchise, which has also spawned the spinoff series Cobra Kai on Netflix. This time, both of Macchio and Chan's characters will interact together in this new take on Karate Kid, which comes from director Jonathan Entwistle (The End of the F***ing World, I'm Not Okay with This) 
with a script by Rob Lieber (Peter Rabbit, Alexander and the Terrible). A global casting search is being held to find the titular Karate Kid, who will be a Chinese kid from the East Coast who finds strength and direction through the mentoring they get from their instructors. A video featuring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan was released for the global talent search, which you can see below.

Plot details on this new Karate Kid are being kept under wraps by Sony Pictures, but we do know the film will be released in theaters on December 13, 2024. Ralph Macchio starred as Daniel LaRusso in the original The Karate Kid and its successors, The Karate Kid Part II and The Karate Kid Part III. Cobra Kai saw Macchio reprise the role, where he also served as Executive Producer for the six-time Emmy-nominated comedy series. Jackie Chan played Mr. Han, a Mr. Miyagi-type figure for Jaden Smith's Dre Parker, in 2010's The Karate Kid remake. In 2016, Chan became the first Chinese actor to be honored with an Academy Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the film industry.

Cobra Kai ending with Season 6

The new Karate Kid movie comes just in time, as Netflix's Cobra Kai is set to conclude with Season 6. In a statement from the showrunners, they promised that the series will end on a high note with its biggest season yet, but revealed that the stories of Daniel and Johnny will once again come to a close.

"Reacquanting the world with The Karate Kid universe has been our humble honor," the producers said in a statement. "Making Cobra Kai has allowed us to join the same hallowed dojo once inhabited by the great Robert Mark Kamen, John Avildsen, Jerry Weintraub, and all the amazing original cast memebrs. It has also enabled us to play sensei, expanding the original storylines and birthing new generations of underdogs. We've never once taken this opportunity for granted."

"Our day one goal with Cobra Kai has always been to end it on our terms, leaving the Valley in the time and place we've always imagined. So it is with immense pride and thankfulness that were are able to announce that achievement," the statement continues.

A release date has not been announced for Season 6.