The Karate kid Franchise is introduced to a new generation.

Almost 40 years after the release of the original film, Sony Pictures announced in September 2022 that the sixth film in The Karate Kid Franchise was in the works. Karate Kid: Legends is set to hit theaters on May 30, 2025 – and fans can expect to see both new and old faces in the next installment of their favorite martial arts drama.

Mean Girls“Ben Wang plays Li Fong, a new kung fu prodigy who struggles to fit in after moving from Beijing to New York City. Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio will reprise their roles as Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, respectively. Macchio, who also stars in the Netflix spin-off series Cobra Kai, confirmed this to PEOPLE Karate Kid: Legends will be “canonical” and stay true to the rest of the “Miyagi-Verse.”

“Mr. Miyagi (played by the late Pat Morita in the original films) was the secret, and that’s why we used Miyagi everywhere Cobra Kai Show, and he will be present somewhere in other chapters too,” the actor said in July 2024 during the Cobra Kai Premiere.

He added: “For me it was all about conveying and sharing the honesty and truth of Daniel LaRusso and what his mentor Miyagi meant to him.”

Ahead of the film’s release in 2025, here’s everything you need to know about it Karate Kid: Legends.

what is Karate Kid: Legends around?

The upcoming film will be set in the same universe as the original Karate kid films, as well as the 2010 reboot that starred Jaden Smith. However, it tells the story of a completely new karate kid, played by Wang.

“After a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong is forced from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother,” the official synopsis reads. “Li struggles to let go of his past while trying to fit in with his new classmates, and even though he doesn’t want to fight, trouble seems to find him everywhere.”

The plot description continues: “When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren’t enough. Li’s Kung Fu teacher Mr. Han hires Original.” Karate kid Daniel LaRusso calls for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, combining their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.

Who is in the cast of Karate Kid: Legends?

The film already has a star-studded cast. In addition to Macchio and Chan, the cast also includes Joshua Jackson (marking his return to film after a nearly decade-long hiatus), Sadie Stanley and Wyatt Oleff, Shaunette Renée Wilson and Ming-Na Wen – the original voice of Mulan.

Wang, who plays the new karate kid, said Weekly entertainment in December 2024 that he first fell in love with marriage art films when he saw the 2010 remake.

“I was the target audience when this film came out,” he said American-born Chinese said the actor. “I was exactly the same age as the character. The whole film takes place in Beijing, and I have just returned from a year-long stay in Beijing.

Wang continued, mentioning his legendary co-star: “Also, I grew up watching Jackie Chan movies. He’s the first memory I have of knowing what an actor is. It was all of my favorite things in one place.”

What did Jackie Chan say about returning? The Karate Kid Franchise?

Despite only joining the franchise with the 2010 remake, Chan has established himself as an iconic part of it The Karate kid Universe. Director Jonathan Entwistle narrated EW that on set, that rush hour The actor had lots of “tiny ideas”.

“He was like the magical Dumbledore to us on set, and that’s how he is in the film,” said the director. “He was always looking for an opportunity to either roll on the floor, roll across a table or jump off a staircase – he would just say, ‘I’ll do that.’ None of us have ever had a choice. It was like Jackie had an idea and we just filmed it because it was Jackie and it was always going to be great.”

Fans excited about Mr. Han’s return to the screen are equally upset by the reported absence of Smith, who starred alongside Chan Dre Parker in the 2010 remake. The rapper was not listed in any casting announcements and has not commented on the upcoming film.

Who is directing? Karate Kid: Legends?

Karate Kid: Legends It was directed by Jonathan Entwistle, best known for his work on the hit Netflix series The end of the damn world And I don’t agree with thatin which Oleff also played the main role.

Entwistle said EW that he read the script for the first time in 2022 and was looking forward to bringing together two main characters from the film Karate kid Universes that are not yet connected. “One of the things that really excited me when I first read it was the idea of ​​connecting the Jackie Chan character of Mr. Han with Daniel LaRusso, both from the films and later with the, what (his figure) became Cobra Kaisaid the director.

He continued: “Without giving too much away, I can say that Mr. Han and Mr. Miyagi are the connection to Daniel. The Han family and the Miyagi family have always been connected. And there is a mention of it within the Karate kid Film canon for those who want to search for it.

Entwistle posted a photo of the film clapperboard on Instagram in April 2024 with the caption “Day One 🥋 🍕”, announcing the start of filming. He also marked the end of filming on Instagram in June 2024 with a group photo of the cast and crew.

How is Karate Kid: Legends attached to Cobra Kai?

Karate Kid: Legends takes place after the events in Cobra Kai Season 6 finale (which will premiere in 2025 and conclude the series).

Entwistle said EW that he was in contact with the show’s creators during production Karate Kid: Legends and that even after all these years, Macchio is still at the center of keeping the franchise true to its roots.

“I loved the idea that the films and the series could all be part of a family,” said the director. “Obviously, after all these years, Ralph is really, really close Cobra Kaiand they were involved in small steps along the way. Everything we talked about made it into the film in one way or another.”

Is there a trailer for? Karate Kid: Legends?

The Karate Kid: Legends The trailer was released on December 17, 2025 and showed how Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso will meet.

When asked how he knew Mr. Miyagi, Han replies, “I didn’t come looking for Sensei Miyagi. I came looking for you.”

When will Karate Kid: Legends be released?

Karate Kids: Legends will be released in theaters on May 30, 2025.

Where can I watch this? Karate kid Franchise?

You can stream The Karate Kid, The Karate Kid Part II, The Karate Kid Part III And The next karate kid on Netflix as well as all six seasons of the series Cobra Kai.

The Karate Kid The 2010 remake starring Chan and Smith is also available on Netflix, but is leaving the platform on December 31, 2024.