A worldwide search was on for the actor who will take on the mantle of Karate Kid for Karate Kid: Legends, and producer Karen Rosenfelt felt that Ben Wang was the perfect fit for the role. “It’s always like threading a needle when you’re looking for the center of a film,” she says. “I couldn’t be happier with Ben. He’s exactly what I saw in my mind. I think he’s the Marty McFly of our generation. He’s so talented—he performed most of his own stunts—and I think he’s got an amazing career ahead of him.”
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Ben Wang plays Li Fong, a young kung-fu fighter who moves from Beijing all the way to New York City. He’s faced with new challenges trying to adjust to the new environment, and attracts trouble from the local martial arts group. With the help of his master, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), they seek out original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) to hone his fighting skills and prepare for an epic martial arts showdown.
Wang was no stranger to the hit martial arts franchise, having been introduced to the 2010 The Karate Kid film starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. . “It takes place in Beijing, and I had just moved back to the U.S. from Beijing when it came out,” says Wang.
Drawing parallels from his and Li Fong’s shared backstory also helped in fully embracing his character. “It gets me emotional, this idea of going somewhere completely new and having to start over and finding people who help you along the way. And that’s what these movies are really about, you know? Behind the kung fu and the karate and all that cool stuff, it’s about finding your way, learning to fit in, and finding good teachers,” he says.
Wang also has the seal of approval from Ralph Macchio, who’s enjoyed working with the new Karate Kid. “His work ethic, his preparedness, his not taking anything for granted—he will be this generation’s Karate Kid!” Macchio says. “Yes, I carry that, that’s not going away for me, ever. And I am extremely proud and privileged to have it. He’s in almost every frame of the movie, like I was.” Then he adds, with a laugh, “I didn’t have to speak another language, though, like he does. So he’s already ahead of me right there!”
Watch the rise of the new Karate Kid in Karate Kid: Legends, arriving in Philippine cinemas on May 28. Karate Kid: Legends is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #KarateKidMovie @columbiapicph
