In the latest iteration of “The Karate Kid,” titled “Karate Kid: Legends,” the character Li is portrayed by Ben Wang, who gained recognition with his debut in “American Born Chinese.” The global audition process for this film had stringent conditions: fluency in both Mandarin and English, proficiency in martial arts (or a rapid learning ability), and the ability to convincingly act alongside prominent Hollywood stars.
The filmmakers embarked on a global quest to discover the next Karate Kid, and producer Karen Rosenfelt is elated they found Wang. “Finding the heart of a movie is like threading a needle,” she remarks. “I couldn’t be more content with Ben (Wang). He’s just what I envisioned. I believe he’s the Marty McFly of our era. He’s incredibly gifted—he executed many of his own stunts—and I think he has a fantastic career in front of him.
Wang expresses his eagerness to step into the role of The Karate Kid for his generation, having been a fan since the 2010 film featuring Chan and Jaden Smith. As Wang had recently returned from Beijing when the movie was released, he personally connected with the storyline set in Beijing. When he encountered the script for Karate Kid: Legends, he immediately resonated with Li Fong’s tale of a stranger in a new land. “The idea of venturing into uncharted territory and starting anew, with people who offer guidance, strikes a chord within me,” Wang shares. He believes that the essence of these movies lies not just in kung fu and karate, but in personal growth, adaptation, and finding great mentors.
As a movie critic, I’d rephrase it like this: “I submitted half a dozen audition videos, then headed to L.A. for a test. But alas, silence. A month later, they unexpectedly called me, ‘Meet us tomorrow, pack up everything!’ I was hired, and the news was mind-blowing: Jackie Chan is my uncle, I’m teaching Joshua Jackson martial arts, Mulan is my mom, Kim Possible is my girlfriend, and the kid from It is my tutor. And guess who else is here? None other than Ralph Macchio!
Macchio admired Wang’s talents, whether it be fighting or acting. “His dedication, his readiness, his appreciation for every opportunity—he is the modern-day Karate Kid!” says Macchio. “Indeed, that comparison sticks with me, forever. And I am deeply honored and grateful to be associated with it. He’s practically in every scene of the movie, just like I was.” Then he chuckles, “I didn’t need to learn another language like he did, though. So he’s already one step ahead of me there!
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2025-05-31 14:23