‘Karate Kid’ Open Casting Call Quickly Lands 10K Submissions for Lead Role in New Film

The lucky performer who snags the starring role opposite Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio in the new Karate Kid film will have prevailed against some fierce competition.

Just one day after the two stars announced Sony Pictures’ open casting call to find the next Karate Kid, The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the studio has already received more than 10,000 submissions. Jonathan Entwistle is set to direct from a script by Rob Lieber, with Karen Rosenfelt producing.

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Submissions for the worldwide search have come from countries across the globe, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., India, Australia, Singapore, Finland, Sweden and South Africa.

Chan and Macchio appeared in a video released Tuesday to announce the global search to fill the pivotal role of Li Fong in the movie that is expected to shoot from March through June of 2024. According to the website for the casting call, the team is looking for someone to portray Chinese or mixed-race Chinese in the age range of 15-17 years old.

This smart, scrappy character is skilled in martial arts, and though he speaks fluent English, conversational Mandarin is seen as a strong plus to play the part. Previous acting experience is preferred but not necessary, and any background in martial arts, movement, gymnastics and dance is also ideal.

The action franchise kicked off in 1984 with the release of The Karate Kid, starring Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and the late Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi. There were three sequels, two of which starred Macchio, before a 2010 remake led by Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.

While Sony has not yet released a logline for the new film, it is set to bring Chan and Macchio together for the first time in the series. The franchise has seen a new wave of popularity with Cobra Kai, a streaming series from YouTube and Netflix that features Macchio and will soon return for a sixth and final season.

The latest Karate Kid film is set to hit theaters Dec. 13, 2024.

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