Late last year, actors Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio announced they would return for an all-new Karate Kid feature film. The film will be a sequel to both their original films from 1984 and 2010. However, they (for now) seem to be separate from the highly acclaimed sequel series Cobra Kia on Netflix. A worldwide search of over 10,000 submissions began for the lead role of a Chinese boy growing up on the East Coast.
Now, actor Ben Wang has landed the lead role in the upcoming sequel film. He is best known for starring in the Disney+ series American Born Chinese based on the graphic novel. He had a standout audition that also showcased his mastery of karate, wing chun/kung fu, gumdo, kempo, and taekwondo. Jonathan Entwistle is set to direct the film. Cobra Kai’s final season will hit Netflix later this year.
The Karate Kid is slated to hit theaters on December 13, 2024
Source: The Hollywood Reporter