In exciting news for fans of The Karate Kid franchise, the search for the new Karate Kid has finally come to an end. The highly anticipated upcoming installment, which will feature the return of Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, has selected rising star Ben Wang to take on the role of the titular karate kid. This announcement, reported by THR, reveals that Wang was chosen due to his deep emotional connection to the character and his fluency in Mandarin.
Sources close to the production have described Wang's audition as a standout, showcasing his profound understanding and connection to the role. Not only is Wang a talented actor, but he is also highly skilled in various forms of martial arts, including karate, wing chun/kung fu, gumdo, kempo, and taekwondo. His recent performance in the Netflix series American Born Chinese demonstrated his affinity for martial arts and showcased his versatility as an actor.