Jackie Chan Didn’t Train for ‘Karate Kid: Legends’: ‘I Don’t Need to Anymore. I’ve Been Training Every Day for 64 Years’

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Jackie Chan makes a comeback in the newest Karate Kid movie, titled “Karate Kid: Legends.” Although it might seem like he never left, this film marks his return as the character Han in the series.

This time, he’s currently in China, where he’s training his young relative, Ben Wang (Li), in martial arts. Later on, due to unforeseen circumstances, Li is compelled to relocate to New York City. There, he encounters a school bully and eventually joins the Five Boroughs Tournament. To help him, Han arrives to teach Li martial arts, while Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), the original Karate Kid, comes from California to instruct Li in karate.

Director Jonathan Entwistle observes that this movie seems to grasp a unique and essential distinction between Hong Kong martial arts, emphasizing intricate choreography and movements, and American martial arts which primarily focus on delivering punches,” or more casually, “Jonathan Entwistle notes that the film gets the distinct difference between Hong Kong martial arts, centered on dance-like moves and choreography, and American martial arts, where it’s all about throwing punches.

In the latest installment of “The Karate Kid,” which he first appeared in back in 2010 alongside Jaden Smith, Chan stated that he didn’t require any additional training. At 71 years old, he declared, “I don’t need to train anymore. For 64 years, I’ve been training every day; I’ve been battling, fighting, fighting.

Since the 1960s, Chan has been a well-known actor, particularly recognized for his exceptional fight choreography, a title he showcases in “Karate Kid: Legends.” However, with the passage of time, he’s not as agile as before. Laughing good-naturedly, he admits, “I’m not like I was when I was 20, leaping high into the air to perform a triple kick. Now, I manage with just one.” Yet, it’s all his own skill and prowess that we see on screen.

Chan shared some meaningful guidance with Wang: “I told him, ‘Ben, there’s a stand-in for you, but it’s better to rely on yourself. The crowd values that authenticity more. Using a stand-in can make you complacent.’

Instead, at age 25, Wang followed a more disciplined training regimen. “I received a structured and rigorous workout,” Wang explained.

Prior to filming, Li dedicated around a month and a half to training with the stunt team. According to Wang, this period was primarily focused on developing confidence in his moves. Each day, for five full days, he underwent formal training from morning till night. On weekends, he continued practicing independently.

According to Wang, it took the team 90 days to prepare him so that he could convincingly perform a fight scene alongside Jackie Chan. However, once Jackie arrived, he proved to be nothing but supportive.

For Macchio, the conclusion of “Cobra Kai” on Netflix didn’t signal the demise of Danny LaRusso. Instead, immediately after wrapping up that project, he found himself boarding a plane for the set of “The Karate Kid: Legends.

However, his preparation started well ahead of the actual filming. As he puts it, “I had already been given videos from another stunt team, and I practiced specific elements beforehand.

When he ultimately made it to his place, everything fell into alignment. He remembers vividly that instance when he arrived. With Wang taking over as the new Karate Kid, and the responsibility being transferred, Macchio reflects, “I played a part in constructing the basis for this home, but I felt like I was at someone else’s residence.

What does Chan think of Wang? Chan beams with pride, “He’s like my young Jackie Chan.”

And so, a new Karate Kid legend is born.

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2025-05-31 21:17