Ralph Macchio is officially hyped about the new Karate Kid movie, calling it a fast-paced, action-packed ride loaded with “next-level martial arts.”
The 63-year-old actor, who became a pop culture icon as Daniel LaRusso back in the 1984 original, says the upcoming film Karate Kid: Legends takes everything fans loved about the franchise and kicks it up a notch, literally.
Opening up in a recent chat with People, Macchio said what sets this film apart is its martial arts style, which takes heavy inspiration from classic Hong Kong cinema. “The fight (scenes), the cameras are really wide lenses inside the fights,” he explained. “There’s humor laced throughout, and there was always humor in ‘The Karate Kid’ films, but the original films we made were kind of cinema magic, very romantic. Wide, long takes, dialogue scenes that breathe.”
But don’t expect it to be a nostalgia-only trip. This time around, everything’s tighter, faster, and a lot more modern. “This is a quicker pace for this generation,” Macchio said. “But laced with humor, excitement, and next-level martial arts, Ben Wang is a rock star in the movie.”
Karate Kid: Legends brings a new face into the spotlight, 24-year-old Ben Wang, who plays a Beijing-born student stepping into the world of martial arts under the guidance of not just one, but two legendary mentors. Ralph Macchio reprises his role as Daniel LaRusso, while Jackie Chan, now 70, returns as Mr. Han, the character he first played in the 2010 reboot of The Karate Kid. Yes, Jackie’s back, and the energy is wild.
The film is a mash-up of everything fans love-the emotional core of the original trilogy, the reboot’s action, and even the tone of the hit spinoff Cobra Kai. Macchio’s return isn’t just a cameo or a random legacy character thrown in for fan service. It’s a continuation of a story that started four decades ago-and one that he’s clearly passionate about keeping alive.
Talking about his experience from the original 1984 film, Macchio got reflective. “From the original, every day working with Pat Morita, it was a blessed partnership, and it still resonates,” he shared. “And the reason I’m in this movie is to pay that legacy forward. Shedding a little piece of Miyagi forward. It’s never the wrong thing to do in Daniel LaRusso’s eyes and in Ralph Macchio’s eyes.”
While Macchio might be the anchor, Ben Wang is taking the lead this time-and even he admits it’s a big responsibility. “He’s been this character for 40 years,” Ben said, “and so coming into it, I felt an obligation to honor that legacy.” But instead of pressure, Macchio offered freedom. “He had a call with me very early on where he said, ‘This is your character, and you should feel free to do with him what you’d like. That really freed me up to play, and I think that’s one of the coolest things that any sort of star has ever done for me.”
With both Macchio and Jackie Chan guiding the next Karate Kid and Ben Wang stepping up with major energy, Karate Kid: Legends is shaping up to be more than just another sequel. It’s a full-circle moment with fresh blood, fast kicks, emotional beats, and a little bit of that old-school charm that made the original so iconic.
It’s clear that this isn’t just about flashy fight scenes or throwing in nostalgia for the sake of it. This is a movie that’s aiming to connect generations-fans who grew up with Mr. Miyagi’s wisdom and kids just discovering the power of crane kicks and self-discipline. Macchio and Chan aren’t just passing the torch; they’re making sure it stays lit in the most badass way possible.
