Following Sony Pictures announcement that a newKarate Kidmovie is finally heading into production, with an open casting opportunity made available for the lead role, it seems that there has been a staggering amount of interest from youngsters hoping to be the next Daniel LaRusso.
It was reported earlier in the week that, for the first time, originalKarate KidstarRalph Macchioand 2010 reboot star Jackie Chan will appear together in a new film, bringing together LaRusso and Mr. Han in a story that will be the “fusing and continuing” of the franchise’s mythology. Helmed by Jonathan Entwistle, the movie will also feature a brand new star as the title character, who will be chosen from the open casting call.
As perThe Hollywood Reporter, it appears that the casting could be a tougher than originally anticipated, with over 10,000 applications being made within a day of the casting call going live. According to the report, submissions have not been limited to just the U.S. and Canada, with hopefuls from countries as far apart as India, Australia, South Africa, Singapore and Sweden being received. The casting call notice provided a little insight into the character that will lead the new movie. It reads:
“We are looking for the NEXT KARATE KID. Li Fong: Looking for an actor to portray Chinese or Mixed-Race Chinese and between 15-17 years old. He speaks fluent English. Conversational Mandarin is a strong plus. He’s smart, scrappy and a skilled martial artist. Any sort of Martial Arts, movement, gymnastics, and/or dance experience is a strong plus.”
Related:New Karate Kid Movie Will Star Both Ralph Macchio & Jackie Chan
The Karate Kid was Reborn with Cobra Kai.
The Karate Kidfranchisebegan in 1984, with Macchio playing Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who moves to California and finds himself being bullied. Seeking the help of Mr. Miyagi – played by the late Pat Morita – Daniel learns not only the art of karate, but a few life lessons along the way. The film culminates with Daniel facing Jonny Lawrence of the Cobra Kai dojo in a tense tournament showdown.
Karate Kid
By the end of the ‘80s, another two movies centering on Macchio’s Daniel had been released, and these were followed in 1994 byThe Next Karate Kid, which saw Hilary Swank taking over the “troubled teen” role in the franchise and becoming the new student of Miyagi. The film was not very well received and the franchise appeared to have reached its conclusion.
In 2010, the inevitable reboot came about, with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan leading the new version of the story. This time, the film was set in China, and reimagined the original movie in a new cultural setting. The film was a box office success, but as with most reboots, did split the fan base thanks to the changes made to the story. Once again, it seemed that the franchise was set to live on through memories of its former glory, but almost a decade later, the underdog came good yet again.
Cobra Kaidebuted on YouTube Red in 2018 and picked up on the story of Johnny Lawrence, who reopens the Cobra Kai dojo and reignited his former rivalry with Daniel LaRusso. The success of the show soon caught the attention of Netflix, and the show found a new home there.The sixth and final seasonis currently being written, and it was previously teased that there could be potential spin-offs coming down the line.
While it is currently unknown whether there will be any direct crossover betweenCobra Kaiand the newKarate Kidmovie other than Macchio’s appearance, fans will be eager to find out as more information is revealed.The Karate Kidis scheduled to release in December 2024.
