Jackie Chan, the legendary martial arts star, is in talks to return for the new upcoming Karate Kid film from Sony Pictures, according to sources. The film will be directed by Jonathan Entwistle, who is known for his work on Netflix original series like I Am Not Okay With This and The End of the F**ing World.
Jackie Chan is expected to reprise the role of Mr. Han, the mentor of Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) in the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid. The remake followed Dre, a 12-year-old boy who moves to China and learns Kung Fu from Mr. Han to deal with bullies. The film was a huge hit, grossing $359 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. It also earned Jackie Chan a Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Butt Kicker and a People’s Choice Award nomination for Favorite On-Screen Team with Jaden Smith.
It is unclear if Jaden Smith will return for the new film or if it will feature a new protagonist. Sony has stated that the new film will be a return to “the original Karate Kid franchise”, which could mean that it will be connected to the classic films starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, respectively. The original franchise has been revived in the form of Cobra Kai, a Netflix original series that follows Daniel and Johnny as they mentor a new generation of karate students. Cobra Kai has been renewed for a sixth and final season, which has been delayed due to the ongoing WGA strike.
Jonathan Entwistle is a rising director who has made a name for himself with his dark comedy and drama series on Netflix. He is also developing a new Power Rangers franchise for Netflix that will span over both film and television. He has also been working on Fred & Ginger, a biopic about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, starring Margaret Qualley and Jamie Bell, and Hello Tomorrow!, a sci-fi series for AppleTV+.
The new Karate Kid film is slated to release on June 7, 2024, but that date could change depending on the production schedule and the WGA strike situation. The film will be produced by Jerry Weintraub, Will Smith, James Lassiter, Caleeb Pinkett, and Jada Pinkett Smith.