One aspect of Karate Kid: Legends looks much better than the other movies in the franchise which feature Daniel LaRusso. Daniel LaRusso, portrayed by Ralph Macchio, was the protagonist of the original Karate Kid movie and is perhaps the most iconic character in the franchise. Even though Macchio has appeared in the Netflix series Cobra Kai, the upcoming Karate Kid: Legends is exciting because it will mark the first time he has appeared in a Karate Kid movie since 1989’s The Karate Kid Part III.
Karate Kid: Legends will also feature the return of Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han, who appeared in the 2010 reboot movie. The story of Karate Kid: Legends will follow Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han, who work together to train a new student, Li Fong. The film will be directed by Jonathan Entwistle, and will be released in theaters on May 30, 2025. The first trailer for Karate Kid: Legends built up anticipation for the film, and proved that the fight choreography in the film will be much better than previous Karate Kid movies.
Karate Kid: Legends’ Fight Choreography Already Looks Better Than The OG Films
The Fight Choreography In Karate Kid: Legends Looks Impressive
The trailer for Karate Kid: Legends teases the story of the film and offers brief glimpses of some of the fight scenes that will be included in the movie. Not only will Li Fong face many different opponents in the film, but the trailer also shows Daniel and Mr. Han fighting a group of people. Even though it will be exciting to see Daniel and Mr. Han show off their skills, the most impressive fight choreography in Karate Kid: Legends will likely come from Li Fong’s fights.
The trailer for Karate Kid: Legends shows Li Fong facing several different opponents in a supposed tournament. However, it also offers a brief glimpse at a fight which takes place in an alleyway. In the scene, Li jumps off a dumpster and grabs hold of a ladder, then launches himself off a wall before kicking the boy who is chasing him. This moment all seems to be filmed in one take without any cuts, which proves that Karate Kid: Legends will have impressive fight choreography.
The Fights Were Never Really The Best Thing About The Original Karate Kid Movies
The Karate Kid Movies’ Fight Scenes Are Nothing Special
Even though all the Karate Kid movies have been about karate or kung fu, the fight choreography in the original films was not really that impressive. Daniel LaRusso’s crane kick in the final fight of the original Karate Kid movie may be iconic, but it would be a stretch to say any of the franchise’s early films have revolutionary fight choreography. In fact, some of the fight scenes in the original films are actually quite bad. However, fight choreography in movies has improved a lot over the years, so Karate Kid: Legends could have the best fight scenes yet.
The emotions exhibited by Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence in their fight made the climax of The Karate Kid a riveting watch.
Despite the fight scenes in the original Karate Kid movies not being great, the character relationships ensured that viewers remained invested. The emotions exhibited by Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence in their fight made the climax of The Karate Kid a riveting watch. In all of Daniel LaRusso’s Karate Kid movies, the relationship between him and Mr. Miyagi is so heartwarming that viewers are always rooting for them in fights, even if the choreography is not anything special.
Karate Kid: Legends’ Fights Can Set The Sequel Apart From Previous Karate Kid Films
Karate Kid: Legends Is The Start Of A New Era For The Franchise
It would be disappointing if Karate Kid: Legends did not have the best fight choreography in the franchise. The original Karate Kid movies may be classic films, but their fight scenes have not aged well. The fight scenes were much better in the 2010 Karate Kid movie, but Karate Kid: Legends’ fights still need to be more impressive to justify it being made. If Karate Kid: Legends is meant to begin a new era for the long-running franchise, then its fight scenes need to impress audiences.
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Is Karate Kid: Legends Connected To Cobra Kai?
Karate Kid: Legends is the next movie in The Karate Kid movie franchise, and here’s how it connects to Cobra Kai and how that shared universe works.
However, as was the case in the original films, it is equally important that audiences feel connected to the characters in Karate Kid: Legends. This shouldn’t be a problem, as both Daniel LasRusso and Mr. Han are popular figures in the franchise. However, it is also important that audiences relate to Li Fong, who is a new addition to the franchise. If viewers don’t root for Li Fong in his fights, then none of Karate Kid: Legends’ fight scenes will impress audiences.
Karate Kid: Legends (2025) is a sequel to Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The film sees Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles, continuing the legacy of martial arts mentorship and rivalry in a new era of challenges and apprentices.
- Release Date
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May 30, 2025
- Cast
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Ralph Macchio
, Jackie Chan
, Ben Wang
, Joshua Jackson
, Ming-Na Wen
, Sadie Stanley
, Aramis Knight
, Wyatt Oleff
, Shaunette Renée Wilson
, David Robitaille - Character(s)
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Daniel LaRusso
, Mr. Han
, Li Fong
, Victor - Director
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Jonathan Entwistle
- Writers
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Robert Mark Kamen
, Christopher Murphey
, Rob Lieber - Studio(s)
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Columbia Pictures
, Jerry Weintraub Productions
, Overbrook Entertainment
, Sony Pictures Entertainment - Distributor(s)
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Sony Pictures Entertainment