- The upcoming Karate Kid movie will feature Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, merging the original franchise and its remake.
- Creators of hit Netflix series, Cobra Kai, have been consulted throughout the film’s creative process.
- Over 10,000 applications have been submitted within a day for the casting call of the next Karate Kid.
The forthcoming Karate Kid movie is set to star Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, combining characters from the original film series and the remake. Although not directly involved in the project, Cobra Kai’s creators have provided input during the film’s development process, hinting at the possibility of incorporating elements from the original, the remake, and the Netflix series.
As reported by io9, Cobra Kai creators Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg have been involved since the start of the new Karate Kid movie’s development. In a statement, a source close to the project shared that the creators have seen and provided feedback on all versions of the script, periodically communicating with director, Jonathan Entwistle.
Last week, it was disclosed that the new movie will star Macchio and Chan as their respective martial arts masters. Though the plot remains mostly a secret, the film will reportedly attempt to link The Karate Kid franchise, the 2010 Karate Kid movie, and the Cobra Kai series.
In a video, Macchio and Chan announced their involvement in the movie and that open auditions would be conducted to discover the next Karate Kid. The casting call has gained immense popularity, with over 10,000 applicants applying within a day of the announcement.
Entwistle, known for I’m Not Okay with This and The End of the F***ing World, will direct the movie, which is said to be “positioned as the fusing and continuing of the mythology of the original franchise.” Written by Rob Lieber, the film will center on a teenager from China who learns martial arts and gains guidance from a tough but wise mentor.