Ralph Macchio Candidly Addresses Karate Kid’s Future & One Big Condition For Franchise’s Longevity

by

Ralph Macchio recently discussed what’s next for The Karate Kid franchise. The original movie from 1984 led to several sequels (released in 1986, 1989, and 1994), a reimagining with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith in 2010, the popular Cobra Kai series on Netflix, and the latest film, Karate Kid: Legends, which came out this year.

The latest season of the Karate Kid series cleverly connected different time periods by reuniting Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, who both returned as mentors to a new student, played by up-and-coming actor Ben Wang. With Cobra Kai now finished, Macchio has hinted at potential future projects, saying discussions are happening, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Ralph Macchio, known for his role in Cobra Kai with William Zabka and appearing in four of the six Karate Kid films, recently discussed the franchise’s future with PEOPLE. He believes that with both the Cobra Kai series and the movie he made with Jackie Chan happening around the same time, a fresh start is needed.

Macchio highlighted the lasting popularity of The Karate Kid, but believes any future installments need to feel natural and earned. He explained that the dedicated fanbase has remained strong since the original film in 1984. However, he stressed the importance of staying true to the characters and maintaining the story’s quality, which becomes increasingly difficult with a long-running series.

Many viewers complain that recent sequels, reboots, and spin-offs rely too much on existing stories and characters instead of offering something new. However, the Karate Kid series has been a notable exception, with Cobra Kai receiving both positive reviews and a large audience.

While Karate Kid: Legends did okay in theaters, earning $117 million worldwide on a $45 million budget, it didn’t perform as well as the 2010 Karate Kid film, which made $359 million globally. This difference raises questions about how much money future Karate Kid movies can realistically make in cinemas.

Macchio explained that he and the writers, along with other cast members, are willing to talk about a potential return. However, he doesn’t have any news about upcoming plans right now. While he’s open to revisiting the role if the opportunity feels right, he also feels confident in the lasting impact of The Karate Kid. He suggested they might explore other projects, and emphasized that Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid will continue to endure.

Read More

2025-12-23 20:20