The Karate Kid 2 (2025)

🎬 The Karate Kid: Legends (Originally “The Karate Kid 2”) – In-depth Overview

Title & Release 📅
Officially titled Karate Kid: Legends, this feature hit theaters on May 30, 2025 after a delay from June 2024 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike and to avoid overlapping with Cobra Kai’s final season 
Premiered in Mexico City on May 7–8, 2025, before opening wide in North America

Plot & Premise
The story follows Li Fong (Ben Wang), a kung‑fu prodigy from Beijing, who relocates to New York City with his mother, Dr. Fong (Ming‑Na Wen). Though forbidden to fight due to a family tragedy, Li befriends Mia Lipani (Sadie Stanley) and her father Victor (Joshua Jackson). When Li faces aggression from Conor Day, a local karate champ, he's driven to compete in a prestigious tournament. Training under his great‑uncle Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li combines kung fu and karate for an epic showdown

Cast & Characters
Ben Wang as Li Fong, the young protagonist.
Jackie Chan reprises Mr. Han, Li’s kung‑fu mentor and a link to the 2010 remake 
Ralph Macchio returns as Daniel LaRusso, connecting to the original and Cobra Kai 
Ming-Na Wen as Dr. Fong, Li’s protective mother 
Joshua Jackson as Victor, Mia’s father.
Sadie Stanley as Mia Lipani, Li’s close friend.
Aramis Knight as Conor Day, Li's rival.
William Zabka returns in a surprise cameo as Johnny Lawrence, appearing at the close 
Pat Morita features via archival footage as Mr. Miyagi 

Franchise & Continuity
Acts as a crossover legacy sequel, merging storylines from the 1984 original, the 2010 remake, and Cobra Kai 
Set three years after the Cobra Kai series finale (February 2025) 
Not a direct spinoff of Cobra Kai, but firmly within its universe .

Filmmaking & Production Director: Jonathan Entwistle (feature debut), known for The End of the F**ing World* 
Screenplay: By Rob Lieber; Producer: Karen Rosenfelt 
Runtime: 94 minutes; Budget: Approx. $45M; Worldwide gross: Around $74M 
Filming took place April–June 2024; premiered in Mexico in early May 2025 

Reception & Impact
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: ~91% “Popcornmeter”—the highest in franchise history 
Critical Reviews: Average (~57% Tomatometer); praised for nostalgia and family‑friendly tone, but critiqued for predictability and unfocused pacing 
Box Office: Opened with $21M domestically over its first weekend—broadly on target, though fans’ adaptation to streaming possibly impacted turnout 
Cultural Analysis: Seen as a fun, energetic, and heartfelt installment—though some argue the 1984 original remains the franchise’s high point 

Themes & Style
Bridges/Shifts: Blends kung fu (Mr. Han) and karate (Daniel LaRusso), imbuing Li's training with dual philosophies of balance and discipline 
Intergenerational Legacy: Emphasizes passing wisdom from past masters (Miyagi, Han) to a new protagonist.
Family & Identity: Explores Li’s struggles with identity, grief over his brother’s death, and belonging in a new country .
Tournament Format: Upholds the beloved “underdog-to-competitor” structure with modern relevance.

Why It Matters
Crossover Execution: First to unite heroes from both main Karate Kid timelines—both Chan and Macchio share the mantle 
Bridge to Cobra Kai Fans: Maintains continuity post-Netflix series finale, yet stands on its own as a fresh theatrical adventure.
Expands Franchise Universe: With archival Miyagi footage, Cobra Kai links, and Johhny Lawrence’s cameo, the plotline remains open for more adaptations 
Diversity & Representation: Centers on a young Chinese-American hero, with authentic casting and emotional depth .

Final Thoughts
Karate Kid: Legends (2025) is a vibrant, nostalgic tribute that advances the franchise into new territory. While it's not without its narrative imperfections, the chemistry between Chan and Macchio and the heartwarming journey of Ben Wang’s Li Fong make it a worthy addition—especially for fans seeking new directions beyond Cobra Kai. Joeremy Nostalgia meets progressive storytelling in this spirited reboot of a classic legacy.