Karate Kid is an upcoming American martial arts film directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Rob Lieber. Serving as the sixth installment in The Karate Kid franchise, the film stars Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, who return to their iconic roles from previous films. The cast also includes Ben Wang as the main lead, along with Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen, Aramis Knight, and Wyatt Oleff. This marks the first film in the series not produced by Jerry Weintraub, who passed away in 2015.
Karate Kid Release Date
Following the release of the fourth film, The Next Karate Kid (1994), the franchise saw only one additional film, a 2010 remake of the original, featuring Jackie Chan as Mr. Han. The television series Cobra Kai, which began in 2018, served as a direct sequel to the original four films and saw Ralph Macchio reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso from the first three movies. In September 2022, it was confirmed that a new feature film was in development, with the casting of Chan and Macchio announced in November 2023. Filming commenced in April 2024. The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 30, 2025.
Karate Kid Cast
- Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso
- Jackie Chan as Mr. Han
- Ben Wang as Li Fong
- Joshua Jackson as Victor
- Shaunette Renée Wilson as Ms. Morgan
Karate Kid Plot
Given the return of Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, the plot of the 2025 Karate Kid movie could bridge the worlds of their respective characters, Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso. Here’s a possible plot:
The movie centers around a young, talented martial artist named Alex (played by Ben Wang), who is struggling to find his place after moving to a new city. He encounters Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), a wise and skilled martial artist who becomes his mentor. At the same time, Alex crosses paths with Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), who is now a well-known figure in the martial arts community due to his dojo’s success.
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As Alex trains under Mr. Han, he learns about balance, discipline, and the true spirit of martial arts. However, Alex soon finds himself targeted by a rival dojo led by a ruthless sensei who sees Alex’s potential as a threat. This rivalry brings Mr. Han and Daniel together, combining their knowledge and experience to help Alex prepare for an upcoming high-stakes martial arts tournament.
Throughout the film, themes of mentorship, resilience, and the bridging of different martial arts philosophies play out as Alex grows not just as a fighter but as a person. In the climax, the tournament serves as a stage for Alex to demonstrate his growth and for Mr. Han and Daniel to reflect on their own journeys and the legacy they are passing on.
This storyline would honor the legacy of both characters while introducing new dynamics and conflicts for the next generation.