Martial arts icons Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio team up on screen for the first time in Karate Kid: Legends, blending kung fu and karate to mentor a new young fighter in the latest evolution of the beloved franchise.
The Karate Kid legacy lives on in a powerful new chapter as Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio join forces in Karate Kid: Legends, released this week. The film introduces Ben Wang as Li Fong, a kung fu prodigy from Beijing who moves to New York with his mother and soon finds himself entangled in a martial arts rivalry.
When Li’s growing friendship with a local pizza shop owner, Victor, and his daughter Mia sparks tension with a neighborhood karate champion, he is drawn into the world of competitive fighting. To prepare for the challenge, Li is trained by not one, but two legendary mentors: Jackie Chan’s Mr Han and Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso—bridging the worlds of kung fu and karate in a cinematic first for the franchise.
“They presented the concept... connecting the Miyagi to the Han family and how that made sense,” said Macchio. “That was the challenge at first—figuring that out. Working with Jackie was like, ‘Woohoo sign me up—when, where?’”
Macchio returns as LaRusso for the fourth time on film, continuing the journey of a character he also reprised in the hit series Cobra Kai. Meanwhile, Chan steps back into the role of Mr Han, whom he first portrayed in the 2010 reboot opposite Jaden Smith.
"Now we've both become a Miyagi," Chan quipped. "I remember when I saw the first one... I want to be 'The Karate Kid'. Now we work together."
For 25-year-old Ben Wang, stepping into the iconic franchise was both daunting and deeply meaningful. “It’s a terrifying thing in a certain way because it’s a beloved franchise… but it’s also a great honour. I know how special and lucky it is that I get to do this with the two of them,” Wang said.
With nostalgia, action, and a message of mentorship at its core, Karate Kid: Legends promises to inspire a new generation while honouring the spirit of the originals.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would...
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringin...
Deep in the ancient forests of southern China, researchers have discovered a small, shy snake with an extraordinar...
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Anim...
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Was...
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringing together government representatives, city leaders, urban planners, international organisations, businesses and civil society to discuss the future of sustainable urban development.
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Animation Festival in Baku, where filmmakers and audiences from around the world gathered to celebrate the growing influence of animated cinema.
Georgia is positioning itself as a future energy bridge between the Caspian and Europe, backed by major infrastructure plans and growing EU support. But behind the ambitious pitch lies a far more complicated political reality.
Uzbekistan’s Department for Combating Economic Crimes says it has uncovered a large-scale fraud and corruption scheme linked to labour migration to South Korea, with estimated damages reaching $90 million.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran loomed over U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, as signs emerged that the conflict is causing a shift in alliances across the Middle East.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
Thousands of fans turned out in Iran's capital Tehran for a massive farewell ceremony on Wednesday night for their national football team, wishing them success before their departure for the World Cup 2026 matches co-hosted by the United States and Mexico.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was fighting for his political survival on Thursday (14 May) after Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, saying he had “lost confidence” in Starmer’s leadership.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump are holding high-level talks in Beijing on Thursday, following a ceremonial welcome, with both leaders highlighting cooperation despite ongoing tensions.
A drug addiction counsellor who supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to the actor’s fatal overdose has been sentenced to two years in federal prison in Los Angeles.
The Eurovision Song Contest opened in Vienna on Tuesday amid heightened political tensions, as Israel competed in the first semi-final despite a boycott by five European broadcasters over the war in Gaza.
Azerbaijan’s Eurovision team are confident singer Jiva will secure a place in the contest’s final after performing in the second semi-final in Vienna on Thursday evening (14 May).
The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival has officially opened on the French Riviera, once again transforming Cannes into the global centre of cinema, fashion, and entertainment.
British pop star Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics, seeking at least $15 million in damages over allegations that her image was used without permission to promote television sets.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment