A new movie in The Karate Kid universe is coming to theaters, and the timing couldn't be any better for The Karate Kid 6, which is set to release on the 2025 movie schedule. With Cobra Kai Season 6 on the way to those with a Netflix subscription and audiences eager for more adventures, the timing couldn't be better for another Karate Kid movie.
Below, we've gathered all the information we know about The Karate Kid 6. While some details on this movie still have yet to be released, there's a good bit we do know that can be shared in regards to when it's coming out, who is in it and what the latest adventure in The Karate Kid franchise will focus on. Let's dive in and get into what this upcoming movie is all about.
What Is The Karate Kid 6's Release Date
The Karate Kid 6 is on the way, and while there's still a lot to be revealed about this upcoming movie, we do know its release date. As was officially revealed by Sony Pictures, this new film in the franchise is slated to arrive on May 30, 2025.
What Is The Story About?
According to THR, The Karate Kid 6 will feature the story of yet another teen being trained in the art of karate. The movie will reportedly head to the East Coast, which is actually where Daniel LaRusso was from before he moved to the sunny state of California. There's a note that a new teen character will come from China and find strength and direction from a wise mentor. Whether that mentor is Jackie Chan's Mr. Han, Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso or both remains to be seen, though the THR article confirms both actors are on board for the film
One thing that seems likely is that the movie won't emulate The Karate Kid Part III, considering Ralph Macchio's low opinion of the movie. Personally, I'd love to see that Rocky crossover movie Macchio once heard pitched, but I highly doubt that's going to happen.
Who Is In The Cast Of The Karate Kid 6
The Karate Kid 6 originally seemed it was disconnected from the Netflix series Cobra Kai since the showrunners knew little about it, so it was strange when THR confirmed that Ralph Macchio would be joining the production alongside Jackie Chan. What's strange is that there was speculation that the original movies and reboots movies existed in separate universes, but given that Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso will presumably both be in the upcoming feature, it would appear that they aren't. Macchio told CinemaBlend that he still had questions about the new movie ahead of his casting announcement, but perhaps all was made clear to him afterwards.
Who Is Playing The Next “Karate Kid”?
A global casting search was put out searching for the next star of The Karate Kid, but there are some specific parameters actors needed to meet to be considered. Surprisingly, acting experience was preferred, but not a requirement. As for the look, the casting website said they were looking for a Chinese or mixed-race Chinese person who's 15-17 years old and fluent in English. Knowing Mandarin would be a good help, and apparently, they were searching for a male. It went without saying that if the actor had any martial arts experience, they would jump up in the list as well. After some time, it was finally revealed that actor Ben Wang won the role of the lead character, Li Fong. While the mid-twenties actor is a bit older than what the production was looking for, he already had some prestige in Hollywood and was fresh off the Disney+ series American Born Chinese.
Who Else Is New To The Karate Kid Universe?
In addition to Ben Wang, We’ve learned that actors Joshua Jackson, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen, Aramis Knight, Wyatt Oleff, and Jennifer-Lyn Christie were cast as well. Of course, details are scant on who their characters are exactly, but we are still very excited to see The Karate Kid 6 cast in action.
Who Is Directing The Karate Kid 6
The Karate Kid 6 has brought on director Jonathan Entwistle to tackle this movie, according to the previously mentioned THR article. Entwistle gained a lot of acclaim for his work on Netflix projects, though ironically, he never worked on Cobra Kai. Those with a Netflix subscription may best know Entwistle's work if they watched I Am Not Okay With This or The End Of The F**king World. Both movies were noted for their strengths as coming-of-age stories and incorporating dark humor, so it's interesting to hear Entwistle involved in The Karate Kid. I would definitely consider the franchise one that hits on coming-of-age quite heavily, but dark humor? That's a different story.
Will Other Former Actors From The Karate Kid Franchises Appear?
At first, the only confirmed castings for The Karate Kid 6 were Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio. With that said, both men hail from two different parts of the Karate Kid universe, and it seems logical that we'll see other characters from their respective universes appear in this movie.
For example, it's possible that Jaden Smith's Dre Parker could spring up, or we may finally see Hilary Swank return after never getting an invite for Cobra Kai. Speaking of which, I'm sure there are a number of people who would love to see William Zabka or other stars from the Netflix series who helped make it a success.
Of course, there are more details yet to be revealed about The Karate Kid 6. Chances are more details will be released as we get closer to the release date. It's even possible that Jackie Chan or Ralph Macchio might share a few more secrets along the way, as they seem to be the biggest ambassadors for the movie so far.
The Karate Kid 6 is currently scheduled to release on May 30, 2025. That's still quite a ways away, so be sure to check out the previous movies on Netflix in the meantime and keep an eye out for what else may be announced.
