Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan to reprise Karate Kid roles for new movie
Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio will reprise their beloved Karate Kid roles for a new film.
The actors, who both starred in the acclaimed martial arts franchise decades apart, will both star in a new instalment in the saga from Sony Pictures.
The as-yet-untitled feature will be directed by The End of the F***ing World's Jonny Entwistle with a script from Peter Rabbit's Rob Lieber.
A global search is on to find an actor for the film's lead role, with Chan and Macchio appealing to the masses to audition in a new YouTube video.
Related: Cobra Kai recasts iconic Karate Kid character
After announcing that they will be starring together in the production, Macchio shared details on the hunt for the next Karate Kid.
"The global search for the star of our new film starts right now, so let's wax on wax off everybody," before a link to the application website appears.
Casting information reveals that Sony needs a 15- to 17-year-old actor to portray "Chinese or Mixed-Race Chinese" character Li Fong.
The studio states "any sort of martial arts, movement, gymnastics, and/or dance experience is a strong plus" and knowledge of conversational Mandarin, though the character speaks fluent English.
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Acting experience is "preferred but not required", and any hopefuls must be available from March to June 2024. Any actors interested in the opportunity have been urged to email KarateKidCasting@sony.com with their name, a recent photo, a short bio, and where they are based.
The Karate Kid was released in 1984 with Macchio in the lead role as Daniel LaRusso, a Brooklyn native who moves to California and strikes up an unlikely friendship with karate champion Mr Miyagi, played by Pat Morita.
Chan entered the franchise in 2010 as Mr Han, a maintenance man and kung fu expert who takes Jaden Smith's Dre Parker under his wing after he is bullied by classmate Cheng (Zhenwei Wang).
The franchise has inspired a number of sequels and spin-offs including the acclaimed TV series Cobra Kai, which also stars Macchio and began in 2018.
The as-yet-untitled new Karate Kid film will be released in late 2024.
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