I can’t believe we’re still seeing new Karate Kid movies, but here we are, and the latest installment has just dropped its first trailer.
Now, brace yourselves if this makes you feel a tad ancient: The Karate Kid celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year. Despite its age, the franchise is still very much alive and kicking. Remember the reboot in 2010 with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan? Let’s just say it didn’t win too many hearts. Fast forward to 2018, when the original cast returned for the Cobra Kai series. Surprisingly, it’s been a hit, amassing 60 episodes over six seasons. And now, we have Karate Kid: Legends coming up. This upcoming film looks to connect the dots between the classic 1984 movie, the 2010 reboot, and possibly Cobra Kai, since Ralph Macchio himself is reprising his iconic role.
The trailer, which you should definitely check out, seems decent enough. There isn’t much to nitpick, honestly. It does fall into the trap of pretending to be all epic and intense about a series that’s been delightfully cheesy over the years (yes, looking at you, Ghostbusters fans). But if you can overlook that, it looks like it could be quite entertaining. Jackie Chan returns as Mr. Han from the 2010 version, with Ralph Macchio back as Daniel LaRusso. We’re also meeting a new character, Li Fong, played by Ben Wang. The legendary Ming-Na Wen is set to join in, though her role remains a secret for now.
For those eagerly anticipating Karate Kid: Legends, mark your calendars for May 30 next year. If you’re itching for more Karate Kid content, don’t worry! Cobra Kai season six, part three hits Netflix on February 13, so you don’t have to wait too long before immersing yourself back into this cinematic universe.