Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang reveal new 'The Karate Kid: Legends' trailer at CinemaCon

By Sophia Soto | Last updated Apr 1, 2025 6:23 PM ET

At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang shared a new trailer for Jonathan Entwistle's Karate Kid: Legends. Macchio recently wrapped Cobra Kai after six seasons, starring alongside William Zabka as their The Karate Kid characters.

Reprising the role again for Karate Kid: Legends was "not a quick decision." The actor/executive producer told Variety, "It was about protecting the Daniel LaRusso character, and finding where he would be at that point, and then protecting the whole legacy in the Miyagi-verse. Once we were able to line that up, for the Cobra Kai story to lead into the new film — even though they’re separate ecosystems — it all made sense for me. Then, working with Jackie was just super exciting. I started this on the big screen. How cool is it to get it back to the big screen?"

While we don't know where Karate Kid: Legends will leave the character, Macchio will "never say never" when it comes to returning. "I don’t want to overstay the welcome of a character that’s so beloved. But he’s aging like I am, so there could be other areas to explore as well," he explained.

The cast also includes Jackie Chan, who starred in 2010's The Karate Kid, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, and Ming-Na Wen. Entwistle confirmed to PEOPLE, "Our film is set after the sixth and final season of Cobra Kai and takes the Karate Kid mythology in a fresh direction with a new set of characters."

Karate Kid: Legends unites the iconic martial arts masters of one of the most beloved film franchises of all time to tell a completely new story full of action and heart. When kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition. Guided by the wisdom of his kung fu teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), and the legendary Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li merges their unique styles to prepare for an epic martial arts showdown.

The movie will be released on May 30 in theaters.

Sophia Soto

Sophia Soto is a writer and interviewer with a passion for all things entertainment. She is a Senior Reporter at The Nerds of Color and contributes to Yardbarker, Screensphere, Den of Geek, What to Watch, Nerdtropolis, and Temple of Geek. You can see her past work on Remezcla, Young Hollywood, Looper, Paste Magazine, Primetimer, Soundsphere, and Starry Constellation Magazine

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