Joshua Jackson as Peter Bishop on ‘Fringe.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Television.
Preview:
- Joshua Jackson is the latest addition to the next ‘Karate Kid’ movie.
- Franchise veterans Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio will star alongside Ben Wang.
- The movie will fight its way into theaters this December.
Sony’s forward movement on the ‘Karate Kid’ franchise (spawned by 1984’s first film) has been somewhat confounding; there were twodirect sequels and then ‘The Next Karate Kid’. 2010 brought a rebooted version, and that was followed by Netflix series ‘Cobra Kai’.
Yet the studio’s latest idea is even more unexpected: it is crossing the streams. No, a ‘Karate Kid’/’Ghostbusters’ mash-up is not incoming (though we’d watch that). Instead, Ralph Macchio of the original three films and Jackie Chan from the reboot are teaming up, with ‘American Born Chinese’ lead Ben Wang as the young man who needs some help.
Added to the list? Joshua Jackson, most recently seen on small screens instead of big in the likes of ‘The Affair’ and ‘Fatal Attraction’.
No details were released in The Hollywood Reporter story on his casting, but we could certainly see him playing a charming villain.
What’s the story of the new ‘Karate Kid’ movie?
(L to R) Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi in 1984’s ‘The Karate Kid.’
The movie, which has yet to announce a formal title (besides being a fresh take on the ‘Karate Kid’ film concept), is largely keeping its plot under wraps, but the latest iteration will reportedly bring the story to the East Coast and focus on a teen from China who finds strength and direction via martial arts and a tough but wise mentor.
Macchio’s involvement in the franchise of course stretches back to the 1984 original, where he played scrappy hero Daniel LaRusso, who was trained to fight back (with honor!) against bullies by the late Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi. More recently, he’s been seen trying to keep the Miyagi training spirit alive via his own students in ‘Cobra Kai’.
(L to R) Jackie Chan as Mr. Han and Jaden Smith as Dre Parker in 2010’s ‘The Karate Kid.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.
Chan was Mr. Han, a handyman and master of kung-fu who trains young Dre (Jaden Smith) after he and his mother move to China in the 2010 movie.
How the two characters will end up sharing the screen remains to be seen, but it certainly sounds like they’ll be joining forces to help Wang’s character.
Related Article: Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan to Team Up for New ‘Karate Kid’ Movie
Who is making the new ‘Karate Kid’ movie?
Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in 1984’s ‘The Karate Kid.’ Photo: Columbia Pictures.
Jonathan Entwistle, known for Netflix’s ‘I’m Not Okay with This’ and ‘The End of the F***ing World’, is directing the movie from a script by Rob Lieber, whose past credits include Sony’s ‘Peter Rabbit’ and Disney’s ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day’.
When will the new ‘Karate Kid’ movie be in theaters?
Sony has set a December 13th, release date, with a shoot penciled in for this coming spring.
Joshua Jackson as Peter Bishop on ‘Fringe.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Television.