The highly anticipated film “Karate Kid: Legends” is set to hit UK cinemas on May 30, weaving a narrative that draws inspiration from both the original 1984 film and its 2010 reboot. At the center of the story is Ben Wang’s character, Li Fong, who has a unique martial arts pedigree—having trained in kung fu under the guidance of Jackie Chan’s character, Mr. Han.
In this latest chapter, Li Fong becomes the recipient of karate mentorship from Ralph Macchio’s character, Daniel LaRusso. Fans will know him for his iconic role as the delightful droid from the franchise. By fusing kung fu and karate we can weave a new and exciting tapestry of martial arts. This cultural melding pays tribute to both martial arts traditions.
The action sequences in “Karate Kid: Legends” draw heavily from Jackie Chan’s legendary films, with a specific focus on classic Hong Kong wire-work techniques. The filmmakers aimed to recapture the exhilarating essence of early Jackie Chan movies, moving away from the contemporary reliance on visual effects in fight scenes.
Filmmaker Jonathan Entwistle was impressed with their commitment to doing authentic martial arts. He explained that the reason they were able to get that was because “Ben was doing full training every day,” since their movie was trying to channel the spirit of classic Jackie Chan movies with their film. That director’s commitment to hands-on training gives a verisimilitude to the film’s action that’s captivating and intense.
The Chinese stunt team involved in the production is renowned for their expert proficiency in martial arts, contributing significantly to the film’s dynamic fight choreography. This approach marks a departure from the typical VFX-heavy fight augmentation commonly seen in modern action films, including those in the Marvel cinematic universe.
So intense was Entwistle’s zeal for his vision that no one wanted to confront him. He challenged whether a character could take an item from the ground and use it to fight someone, stressing that we had to get away from that blatant VFX look that we see in most Marvel movies, and get back to a real, authentic, in-camera martial arts style. This dedication to practical effects is all in service to creating a more compelling and visceral experience for audiences.
The narrative of “Karate Kid: Legends” represents a fusion of karate and kung fu, bridging the gap between its predecessors. Though the 2010 reboot showcased kung fu more prominently, the original films firmly established karate as the franchise’s core martial art. This duality further cares and intertwines the MCU storyline, creating a truly unique cinematic exploration of both martial arts traditions.