Sony Pictures has selected Ben Wang, widely recognized for his role in the Disney+ series American Born Chinese, to take on the character Li Fong in the upcoming Karate Kid installment.
The upcoming Karate Kid installment will see the return of Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, reprising their iconic roles from earlier films.
While specific plot details remain tightly guarded, the new film will shift its setting to the East Coast, focusing on a Chinese teenager who discovers inner strength and guidance through martial arts under the mentorship of a seasoned mentor, possibly even two.
Jonathan Entwistle, acclaimed for his work on dramas such as I’m Not Okay With This and The End of the F***ing World, is set to direct the film, with Rob Lieber, known for scripts like Sony’s Peter Rabbit and Disney’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, penning the screenplay. Karen Rosenfelt will serve as the producer.
Scheduled for release on December 13, 2024, Sony aims to breathe new life into the Karate Kid franchise, which debuted in 1984 with unexpected success. The original film starred Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, a newcomer to California who finds himself excelling in karate under the tutelage of Mr. Miyagi, played by the late Pat Morita, who received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal.
Wang, currently featured in the Mean Girls musical movie, is represented by Stewart Talent, Artists First, and Schreck Rose.
