Posted on

We finally know something about the new Karate Kid movie

We finally know something about the new Karate Kid movie

We’ve known for months that the Senseis, played by Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, would be teaming up for a new film set in the USA Karate kid Universe. But in a world where the Netflix show Cobra Kai exists, what exactly is this film? Well, today at New York Comic Con, Sony finally pulled back the curtain a bit on what we now know is the movie Karate Kid Legends.

The film stars Ben Wang as Li Fong, a new student who somehow learns martial arts from the likes of Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) and Mr. Han (Chan). Joshua Jackson, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Ming-Na Wen, Aramis Knight, Sadie Stanley, Wyatt Olef and Jennifer-Lyn Christie are also in the film. Chan and Macchio sent in a video to introduce the film’s first trailer, which was only shown in the room, but said that since New York City plays such a big role, it was the perfect location for it.

What we can learn, or at least see, from the trailer is that Mr. Han appears to be taking the lead between the two old characters. He talks about traditions rooted in history, mentioning both kung fu and karate. We see him and LaRusso meeting, and LaRusso assumes he’s looking for Mr. Miyagi. “I didn’t come looking for Mr. Miyagi,” Han says. “I came looking for you.”

We get footage of Li (Wang) running around New York, getting jumped on the subway, and training with Mr. Han. Fighting breaks out in the streets as Li is pursued by an unknown assailant. Later, as the action reaches its climax and we cut through various training montages with Li and Mr. Han, the trailer climaxes with Li fighting in several matches at a tournament. “Two branches, one tree,” LaRusso says, indicating that he and Han will combine their efforts for something.

So we basically know what we could tell from the announcement, but not much else. It’s about the two sensei somehow teaming up. They have a shared history that LaRusso doesn’t know about. The focus is on Li as a student. The headquarters is near New York City. Above all, this final part presents the answer to the big question: what will the characters become? Cobra Kai, what seems to end before appear? Probably not, but anything is possible.

And while the trailer hasn’t been released publicly yet, we’ve received a poster.

We will learn much more about the world The Karate Kid as Cobra Kai returns to Netflix on November 15th with the second part of the final season. The final episodes of the series leading up to this film will follow early next year.

Karate Kid Legendsdirected by Jonathan Entwistle, opens May 30, 2025.

Want more io9 news? Find out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe in film and television, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.