2024's Karate Kid will feature a new major cast member. The movie is the sixth installment in the Karate Kid series, which includes the popular Netflix show Cobra Kai. It will bring back original star Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Jackie Chan as Mr. Han from the 2010 remake.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Joshua Jackson has been added to the cast of the upcoming Karate Kid movie. While his role is not yet known, it has been confirmed that he will be one of the main characters. Joining him is Ben Wang, known for his role in American Born Chinese, as the new karate kid.
Joshua Jackson is Making His Triumphant Return To The Movies
The Affair's Joshua Jackson as Cole - Joshua Jackson is Making His Triumphant Return To The Movies
This new Karate Kid casting announcement is a significant milestone for Jackson, as it marks his return to a major role in a feature-length project after more than a decade. His last leading movie role was in 2012, starring in the action film Inescapable alongside Alexander Siddig and Marisa Tomei. Although Jackson has had a successful movie career before taking a break, he is most commonly recognized for his work on television.
Jackson is best known for his portrayal of Pacey Witter in all six seasons of the teen drama Dawson's Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003. Following that, he played Peter Bishop in all five seasons of the science fiction series Fringe and Cole Lockhart in four out of five seasons of the relationship drama The Affair. More recently, he starred opposite Lizzy Caplan in a television adaptation of the iconic 1989 erotic thriller Fatal Attraction.
In Fatal Attraction, Jackson portrayed Dan Gallagher, a character originally played by Michael Douglas in the film.
By starring in the new Karate Kid movie, Jackson is set to return to the realm of blockbuster films that he was known for during his rise to fame in the 1990s. Prior to and during his time on Dawson's Creek, his film credits included the Mighty Ducks trilogy, Scream 2, Urban Legend, Cruel Intentions, and Wes Craven's Cursed, which generally had more significant releases compared to his later films post-mid-2000s. It remains to be seen if he will pursue more movie roles following this project, but this martial arts film could mark the beginning of a new chapter in his movie career.
Source: THR
Editor's P/S:
The upcoming Karate Kid movie is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the beloved franchise. The casting of Joshua Jackson as one of the main characters is a particularly intriguing choice, as it marks his return to a major film role after a decade-long hiatus. Jackson's proven acting chops and charismatic presence will undoubtedly enhance the film, and his involvement hints at the potential for a complex and engaging story.
The addition of Ben Wang as the new karate kid is also a promising sign. Wang's previous work in American Born Chinese demonstrates his talent and charisma, and he seems well-suited to carry the torch as the next generation of karate prodigy. With Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan returning to reprise their iconic roles, the film has the potential to be a nostalgic treat for fans of the original series and a compelling introduction for newcomers.