Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio announce new Karate Kid for December 13, 2024; casting call lands 10K submissions for lead role

A new Karate Kid movie is in the works with two stars coming together from different universes of the franchise. Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio are set to make another Karate Kid film which is set for December 13, 2024 release. Both actors reprise their respective roles of Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso.

As per Deadline, “Macchio reprises his role as Daniel LaRusso, the karate champion moulded by Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi, with Chan as Mr. Han, the kung fu master who helped Jaden Smith fend off bullies in Sony’s 2010 Karate Kid remake.” While the details of the plot are kept under wraps the report states that it will continue the mythology of the original franchise.

The Hollywood Reporter reported that Jonathan Entwistle, best known for his well-regarded and award-winning teen television dramas I’m Not Okay with This and The End of the F***ing World, will direct the untitled project.

A global search for the lead actor role was launched on November 21 and till now over 10K submissions have landed. Chan and Macchio unveiled the video on Tuesday to announce the global search for the titular role Li Fong which they plan to begin in March and wrap up in June of 2024. As per the official website, the makers are looking at Chinese or mixed-race Chinese in the age range of 15-17 years old. As per THR, the submissions for the lead role have come from across the globe, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., India, Australia, Singapore, Finland, Sweden and South Africa.

Five Karate Kid movies have been made since 1984, including a Netflix series Cobra Kai.