Karate Kid: Legends Unintentionally Mirrors the Overlooked Classic Karate Kid Movie

A striking line from the recently released Karate Kid: Legends trailer suggests that this upcoming film may echo elements from the least favorable installment of the franchise, The Next Karate Kid. The journey of the Karate Kid saga commenced in 1984, showcasing Ralph Macchio’s character, Daniel LaRusso, under the mentorship of Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi. The dynamic between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi has become iconic, solidifying a profound teacher-student relationship in the first three films. However, Macchio’s absence from the fourth film, 1994’s The Next Karate Kid, introduced a new protégé for Mr. Miyagi, changing the franchise’s direction quite drastically.

The forthcoming release of Karate Kid: Legends marks Ralph Macchio’s return to the series for the first time since 1989. This installment reveals an intriguing narrative where Daniel LaRusso teams up with Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han, a character introduced in the 2010 reboot, to mentor a new student named Li Fong. The cast also features notable talents such as Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Ming-Na Wen, Sadie Stanley, and Wyatt Oleff. The trailer hints that Karate Kid: Legends may draw parallels with The Next Karate Kid, particularly in its narrative structure.

Mirroring Student-Mentor Relationships: Mr. Han and Mr. Miyagi

A Connection to Dre Parker in Karate Kid: Legends

Jackie Chan and Ben Wang in Karate Kid: Legends

Miyagi-Do Headband in Karate Kid: Legends

The trailer indicates a similar storyline where Mr. Han mentors another student after previously guiding Dre Parker in the reboot. This evokes memories of Mr. Miyagi, who takes on Julie, portrayed by Hilary Swank, in The Next Karate Kid. Remarkably, during the entirety of that film, Mr. Miyagi does not once acknowledge Daniel, which feels particularly jarring given their deep connection in the previous films.

Watch the Trailer Here

Within the trailer, Mr. Han articulates that his bond with Li Fong parallels the connection between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi. This is particularly interesting given that, much like Mr. Miyagi’s oversight about Daniel, Mr. Han does not mention Dre, another character with whom he shares a profound relationship. Given their inspiring collaboration in the 2010 reboot, it would be disappointing if Mr. Han were to overlook Dre’s significance in Karate Kid: Legends.

Acknowledging Dre Parker is Crucial for Karate Kid: Legends

The Special Bond Between Mr. Han and Dre Parker

The collaboration of Daniel and Mr. Han in Karate Kid: Legends seeks to honor the legacy of the franchise, yet it is essential that characters like Dre and Julie are not entirely disregarded. Although there is ongoing speculation about potential appearances by Hilary Swank and Jaden Smith, their involvement has not been confirmed. Since Mr. Han formed a meaningful relationship with Dre, it is important that this bond is acknowledged, enhancing the narrative’s depth.

Karate Kid Movies	RT Critics Score
The Karate Kid (1984)	90%
The Karate Kid Part II (1986)	45%
The Karate Kid Part III (1989)	15%
The Next Karate Kid (1994)	7%
The Karate Kid (2010)	67%
Karate Kid: Legends (2025)	n/a

Omitting references to Dre in Karate Kid: Legends could suggest that Mr. Han has forgotten his previous student. Highlighting the significance of the teacher-student relationship is a core theme throughout the Karate Kid franchise, and thus it would be quite disheartening if Mr. Han does not acknowledge Dre’s impact in the upcoming film.

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