The search for the next Karate Kid is underway!
On Tuesday, Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan announced they'll be starring together in an upcoming Karate Kid movie and are currently looking for a new teen protagonist — played by Macchio, now 62, in the original 1984 film and Jaden Smith in the 2010 reboot that co-starred Chan, 69.
"Hi everyone! We've got big news," Chan began in their video, before Macchio jumped in with, "We're starring in a new Karate Kid movie together."
"That's big news, but we even have bigger news," Chan continued. "We're looking for the next Karate Kid."
"That's right — the global search for the star of our new film starts right now. So let's wax on, wax off, everybody," Macchio said near the end of the clip, quoting Mr. Miyagi's (played by the late Pat Morita) famous line in the original movie.
The video then directed hopeful stars to KarateKidCasting.com to get more information about the search and how to submit for consideration.
While plot details are being kept under wraps for now, the film will be directed by Jonathan Entwistle from a screenplay by Rob Lieber, and will be produced by Karen Rosenfelt, according to a press release. It is scheduled to hit theaters Dec. 13, 2024.
In the original Karate Kid films, Macchio's character Daniel LaRusso is a bullied high-school student whose life changes when he's taught self-defense skills and valuable life lessons by wise karate sensei Mr. Miyagi. He applies what he learns to protect himself and beat opponents who challenge him in competition.
Macchio returned as Daniel in the TV series Cobra Kai, where his rivalry with longtime opponent Johnny Lawrence is reignited 35 years later. In 2021, Macchio earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding comedy series as one of the show's executive producers.
Meanwhile, Chan starred opposite Smith in 2010's The Karate Kid, where he played Mr. Han, a kung fu master and mentor to Smith's character, Dre Parker.
"Kids see the show and then tell their parents, 'Hey, you should check this out. It's really cool,' " he said at the time. "To go through the ebbs and flows of popularity for 36-plus years and now be in a place where parents, kids and even grandparents are sharing the same excitement is really special."
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