Next Karate Kid Will Have a First

It may seem like Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio appeared on screen together in one of the Karate Kid movies that have spanned nearly three decades, but they didn't. That will change in the next chapter, Deadline reports. No information about the plot has been released officially, but Macchio will reprise his 1984 role as Daniel LaRusso, the karate champ mentored by Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi. Chan will pick up where he left off as Mr. Han, the kung fu master who helped Jaden Smith deter bullies in the 2010 Karate Kid remake. Jonathan Entwistle will direct.

Casting for the title character is a mystery: A global search began Tuesday. The setting this time will be on the East Coast, per the Hollywood Reporter, with the story involving a teenager from China helped by—wait for it—"a tough but wise mentor," per the Hollywood Reporter. Sony expects to start shooting in the spring and plans the release for December 2024. Chan and Macchio announce the star search here. (More Karate Kid stories.)