On Tuesday evening, Ralph Macchio, Jackie Chan (cast member), and Joshua Jackson graced the “Karate Kid: Legends” red carpet event in New York City.
Macchio takes on his iconic role again alongside Chan, who plays a Kung Fu instructor.
Chan, who has starred in numerous martial arts films, discussed the significant impact that the original Karate Kid had on him.
“At that time, something amusing happened; I was feeling quite down. It seemed action movies weren’t as popular anymore. So, I decided to call it quits. But then, The Karate Kid came along and brought me back into the game. At the same moment, Rocky, specifically Rocky 1, left an incredible impression. Yes, I realized I needed to give my absolute best effort. This renewed my self-confidence, so I continued with relentless practice. One day, a director approached me for a film role which eventually led to my breakthrough as Jackie Chan. Thanks go out to both Rocky and The Karate Kid—the original—one,” stated Chan.
Macchio discussed the significance of representation for the Karate Kid series.
I believe it’s highly significant because it adds diversity to the narrative. The storyline becomes richer and more varied. Being set in New York City—a place where people of all backgrounds converge—it brings an additional layer to the tale. As long as the core messages remain authentic and retain their essence—the spirit of ‘The Karate Kid’—I find joy in continuing that tradition. However, what makes this particularly noteworthy is its inception with Pat Morita. In the original film, addressing issues like the Japanese internment during WWII elevates the movie beyond mere entertainment.
Ben Wang begins as an aspiring kung fu practitioner who moves to New York City along with his mother to enroll in a new school. Shortly thereafter, he faces off against a local karate champion.
Wang discussed how universally relatable “The Karate Kid” really is.
What I adore the most about this series is how this film franchise stands out, in my opinion. It conveys the message that anyone could become the Karate Kid. Knowing the legacy of the franchise through the original movies, the Jaden Smith remake, and now Cobra Kai, it really reinforces that notion for me. Here I am continuing that tradition, emphasizing that very point.
“Karate Kid: Legends” premieres at cinemas this Friday.
