Jackie Chan Is in Talks to Return to the Karate Kid Franchise

The Karate Kid franchise seeks to build its own multiverse and will mix the 80s classic with the 2010 revival. Starring Jaden Smith, the film directed by Harald Zwart told a new version of the original story, in a different setting and with a new mentor, played by none other than martial arts legend Jackie Chan.

Last year, Sony Pictures announced that a new film that sought to revive the original saga was in development, and could feature the return of Ralph Macchio, who recently helped revive the franchise with Cobra Kai. But it seems that the project will be much more ambitious than fans imagined. DiscussingFilm reports that Chan is currently in conversations with the studio to be part of the new movie to play Mr. Han once again, which will somehow end up uniting both legacies.

For now, this project has no connection with the Netflix series, the one that began airing in 2018 on YouTube Red and was later acquired by the streaming platform where it ended up becoming a global phenomenon and repositioned the world of Karate Kid at the top of cinematic franchises. Currently, the series is on hiatus with the production of its sixth and final installment due to the writer’s strike in Hollywood, but it is expected to arrive on Netflix soon to bring closure to the stories of Daniel Laruso, Johnny Lawrence and the new generation of fighters.

However, if Macchio does finally show up in the new movie, there will be a lot more about Larusso’s life to tell. In addition, the actor revealed that he would like to develop other projects within the franchise, such as a prequel focused on Mr. Miyagi, the iconic character played by Pat Morita.

Related: Cobra Kai Cast and Character Guide

Karate Kid: A Story of Success

Released in 1984, the first installment in The Karate Kid saga was a smash hit, grossing $130 million at the box office against a budget of $8 million, as well as receiving positive reviews both from the critics and the audience. Its reception and good performance allowed it to have a sequel in 1986, and in 1989 a third part with Larusso as the protagonist again. In 1994, Hilary Swank became Miyagi’s new apprentice in the fourth part, which to this day continues to be widely criticized by fans despite the fact that many would like to see the character in Cobra Kai.

24 years passed before the world got the chance to be fascinated once again with the story of Daniel, now as an adult and reuniting with his first great enemy, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), who ended up becoming the true star of the series, proving that there are always at least two versions of the same story. Cobra Kai also introduced a new generation of protagonists led by Xolo Mariduena, Tanner Buchanan, Jacob Bertrand, Mary Mourser and Peyton List. The series also saw the return of big names in the franchise like Martin Kove, Thomas Ian Griffith, and Yuji Okumoto.