Sony Pictures is looking to revive the Karate Kid franchise. Discussion Film announces that the studio is in talks with Jackie Chan, the 69-year-old martial arts legend, to reprise his role as the titular teacher. The film is currently untitled, but already has a 2024 summer release date. Back in 2010, Chan starred alongside Jaden Smith. Chan played Mr. Han the maintenance man who teaches Dre Parker, Smith’s character, the art of kung fu after he is bullied.
The film was shot across China at the time but it is uncertain if the upcoming film will return to the country for filming. It is also unclear whether or not Jaden Smith will be returning to the franchise. While the plot has been kept under wraps, Sony has previous described the upcoming reboot to be “the return of the original Karate Kid franchise. The original 1984 Karate Kid starred Ralph Macchio as the disciple Daniel LaRusso, who trains under Pat Morita’s maintenance man and Karate master Mr. Miyagi.
Three sequels followed the original in years 1986, 1989 and 1994. Decades later the TV series Cobra Kai sees Macchio and William Zabka reprise their roles as rivals Daniel and Johnny Lawrence. Later in 2010, Chan and Smith’s reimagination of the film grossed close to $360 million USD globally against a $40 million USD budget. The studio has not yet revealed the extent of Chan’s role in the film, but the next Karate Kid is slated to premiere on June 7, 2024.
