Ralph Macchio was aged 63 when this film was released — twelve years senior to Pat Morita at the time Karateçi uşaq (1984) premiered.
Because this film is set after the events in Cobra Kai (2018), its original release date was postponed by five months to accommodate the release of the Cobra Kai series finale.
This film represents the first occasion on which two distinct Karate Kid narratives will intersect, bringing together Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso — from the original films and Cobra Kai (2018) — and Jackie Chan's Mr Han, from The Karate Kid (2010), to interact with one another.
On 21 November 2023, Sony published a video featuring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan in which they announced that both would be returning for the new film and that there would be a worldwide casting search for the new titular 'Karate Kid'.
Although it premiered three months after the series finale of Cobra Kai (2018), the film’s narrative is set three years after that finale.
During an interview, Wenwen Han, who portrayed Meiying in The Karate Kid (2010), said she had been open to returning to the role for this film. In the end, she did not feature in the film.
The film originated with a screenplay penned by Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris (Kung Fu Panda (2008)), and later received a fresh draft from Zak Penn (The Incredible Hulk (2008)).
Breck Eisner had been lined up to direct the film, but he pulled out due to a scheduling clash to helm The Last Witch Hunter (2015), which stars Vin Diesel.
William Zabka: Returning as Johnny Lawrence, once more playing the antagonist he first portrayed in Karateçi uşaq (1984), The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and Cobra Kai (2018).
Ralph Macchio insisted on including a line in the film that reads, "Anytime I have the chance to spread a piece of his legacy, it's never the wrong choice," he told HuffPost in an interview. "It's always paramount that Miyagi is woven into the fabric of Daniel LaRusso. Reprising this role means paying that legacy forward," Macchio added. "It's about spreading that wisdom and knowledge in a good way, in a positive way."
In spite of his years, Jackie Chan carried out every one of his own stunts.
This is the first Karate Kid Legends film not to be produced by Jerry Weintraub, who died in 2015.
Jonathan Entwistle's feature-film directorial debut. He was born the same year the original film The Karate Kid was released — 1984.
The first — and, as of 2025, the only — film in the franchise to receive a PG-13 classification.
This marks the first time the Karate Kid lead is of Asian heritage, with Ben Wang portraying Li Fong. He follows Miguel Diaz (Hispanic), Dre Parker (Black), Julie Pierce (female Caucasian) and, of course, Daniel LaRusso (male Caucasian). Unlike Daniel, Julie, Dre and Miguel, Li Fong is already a highly skilled martial artist at the film’s outset and does not need to be taught the fundamentals. He also begins the story with an established, long-standing relationship with his master, Mr Han, whereas the earlier protagonists typically start their arcs by first meeting their sensei/shifu.
Contrary to earlier rumours, Hilary Swank and Jaden Smith did not return to portray Julie Pierce from The Next Karate Kid (1994) and Dre Parker from The Karate Kid (2010), respectively, in this film.
Jackie Chan remarked that joining forces with Ralph Macchio felt like the fulfilment of a long-held dream. "Whenever I see him, it's as if a dream has come true," Chan said. "I watch his films and they lift my spirits. Then I do a Miyagi — now I see him, and we both become a Miyagi."
Jackie Chan said he did not require any preparation for this new instalment, stating: "I don't need to any more. I've been training every day for 64 years. I've been fighting, fighting, fighting."
A shot captures an Okinawan hand drum resting beneath Mr. Miyagi's portrait.
Director Jonathan Entwistle addressed whether Jaden Smith's character remains part of the official continuity. He confirmed that Dre "does exist" in the sixth instalment, though not as a direct nod to Li Fong, and hinted that Dre could "be a reference to a chapter in Mr Han's story." He added that Dre certainly exists and remains canonical, but is not explicitly tied to Li Fong or that particular chapter — however, he could still relate to another episode of Mr Han's past.
The film's pizza is supplied by Marco's, and an advert for the chain can be seen on a cab. (In reality, Marco's operates no outlets anywhere in the three-state area around New York City.)
This is the first film in the Karate Kid series to be set in New York City. The Karate Kid (1984), The Karate Kid Part III (1989) and Cobra Kai (2018) were primarily set in California's San Fernando Valley, The Karate Kid Part II (1986) took place both in the San Fernando Valley and in Okinawa, Japan, The Next Karate Kid (1994) is set in Boston, and The Karate Kid (2010) was largely set in China. However, the opening sequence of the original Karate Kid is set in Newark, New Jersey, which lies just outside New York City.
This is the first time a Karate Kid protagonist is of Asian descent, with Ben Wang portraying Li Fong. He follows Miguel Diaz (Hispanic), Dre Parker (Black), Julie Pierce (a white female) and, of course, Daniel LaRusso (a white male). Unlike Daniel, Julie, Dre and Miguel, at the start of the film Li Fong is already a highly skilled martial artist who does not need to learn the basics. He also already has a long, well-established relationship with his master, Mr Han; in contrast to the previous protagonists who begin their journeys by meeting their sensei/shifu.
It was shot under the provisional title 'Victory Boulevard'.
Director Jonathan Entwistle said he felt the film captured a very particular and fundamental distinction between Hong Kong martial arts, which are centred on choreography and intricate movement, and American martial arts, which are largely about punching.
Ming Na Wen and Jackie Chan previously collaborated on Mulan (1998). Wen provided the English-language dub, whilst Chan provided the Chinese-language dub.
Although given top billing, Ralph Macchio does not appear until almost an hour into the film.
William Zabka returns to reprise the role of Johnny Lawrence — a casting decision that was kept under wraps until the week of the film's release.
This marks Daniel LaRusso's first appearance on the silver screen since The Karate Kid Part III (1989).
Director Jonathan Entwistle revealed that the crew recreated a Miyagi-Do dojo at a filming location in Montreal. "Yes, we reconstructed the Miyagi house in Montreal. [Cobra Kai] were filming at the same time, and their [Miyagi house] is a Cobra Kai set. For the film, we went back to the original version of Miyagi's house [from The Karate Kid] and imagined how it would appear today. Sadly, the original house in Canoga Park no longer exists — it was destroyed by fire."
