Legends Cinemacon Trailer Shows Daniel LaRusso & Mr. Han Training The Next Generation

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

A new trailer for Karate Kid: Legends has been unveiled at CinemaCon. The next movie in the long-running franchise sees Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) teaming up with Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), the latter of whom was introduced in the 2010 Karate Kid movie starring Jaden Smith. This time around, Daniel and Mr. Han will be helping Li Fong (Ben Wang). Karate Kid: Legends‘ story is set in the aftermath of Cobra Kai, which recently released its final season on Netflix.

Now, at CinemaCon 2025, where ScreenRant was in attendance, the studio shared two scenes and a trailer for Karate Kid: Legends. Macchio and Wang came out on stage before the footage was presented, with Macchio sharing that “It is an honor to be back in theaters as Daniel LaRusso.” While he has appeared in recent years as Daniel via Cobra Kai, he has not been in any of the franchise’s movies since 1989’s The Karate Kid Part III. Check out the details from the two scenes and the trailer below:

First scene: Li opens his door at home and finds the window open. He looks around but doesn’t see anyone. “Mom?” he calls out. Then someone attacks him with a pot. They start fighting in the kitchen. The scene takes place at night and is quite dark in his kitchen. The attacker kicks Li into a light switch, turning the lights on and off, and back on. “Now you see me, huh?” Mr. Han jokes. Li’s mom comes home.

Second scene: Mr. Han visits Miyagi-Do’s dojo in California. He knocks on the door, “Hello?” He sees no one so he walks in and sees Miyagi’s photo on the wall. “Hello, old friend. It’s been a long time.” Daniel walks in and asks if Mr. Han knew Miyagi. Mr. Han says, “I did not come looking for Sensei Miyagi. I came looking for you.” He shows Daniel a photo of him and Miyagi from the dojo in 1985. Mr. Han knew of Daniel all this time. He wants Daniel to come to New York to train Li on “Miyagi karate.”

The trailer opens on a dojo with Li and Mr. Han. Then it shows Li and his mother moving to New York. Li wants to join a dojo, but his mom won’t allow it. A bully fights Li and beats him up. Mr. Han wants Li to learn how to fight so he doesn’t end up like Li’s brother — assuming something bad happened. Mr. Han then goes to California to find Daniel LaRusso and bring him to New York. All three of them meet, and Daniel says, “Let’s make a karate kid.” We see them all train, with Li learning kung fu and karate — two branches, same tree. The final fight appears to take place on a mat on top of a skyscraper.

What This Means For Karate Kid: Legends

Mr. Miyagi Continues To Impact The Franchise’s Future

CinemaCon’s look at Karate Kid: Legends further solidifies how Mr. Miyagi will be the connecting force between Daniel and Mr. Han. Mr. Miyagi’s legacy is poised to carry on through Li, as both Daniel and Mr. Han teach him “Miyagi karate.” By helping Li learn to defend himself through Mr. Miyagi’s teachings, the wise mentor’s teachings can continue to endure and ensure that Li will be able to chart a better path for himself. What happened to his brother sounds ominous, but hopefully karate will help Li avoid a similar fate.

All 17 Fights Between Karate Kid Characters In Cobra Kai, Ranked

Many of Cobra Kai’s best fights were those between original Karate Kid characters. However, some of these matches rank far better than others.

Li’s story of moving to a new place with his mother, being beaten up by a bully, and learning karate from great teachers to defend himself and grow as a person does sound incredibly reminiscent of the first Karate Kid movie. Nevertheless, the franchise’s template has undeniable staying power, and Cobra Kai’s success is proof of that. Learning from both Daniel and Mr. Han is one way that the movie will seek to distinguish itself from some of its predecessors, with action and heart that can create a riveting story.

Our Take On The Karate Kid: Legends Trailer

It Raises Questions Despite The Hype

Ben Wang as Li Fong doing a high kick in Karate Kid: Legends (2025)

While Karate Kid: Legends remains one of the most anticipated movies of 2025, the footage does make me question some aspects of the upcoming story. “Let’s make a karate kid” is a bit too on the nose for me, almost akin to Will Smith saying, “What are we, some kinda Suicide Squad?” in Suicide Squad. Some elements of Li’s story feel almost too close to Daniel’s original story as well. That being said, Cobra Kai has proven that the franchise can remain fresh, and I have hope that Karate Kid: Legends will be able to do the same.

Source: Sony