Almost 40 years after the original movie was released, The Karate Kid is being introduced to a new generation of fans with the film Karate Kid: Legends, out in theaters now! Before the film’s release, we chatted with director Jonathan Entwistle, Ben Wang who plays Li Fong, and Sadie Stanley who plays Mia Lipani to learn more about their love of the OG Karate Kid movies and their favorite moments while working with Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio. 

Karate Kid: Legends follows teen Li Fong, who has trained in Kung Fu with martial arts master Mr. Han. When his mom moves him from China to New York, he befriends a local Pizzeria owner Victor (Joshua Jackson) and crushes on Victor’s teen daughter, Mia. Li enters a karate competition and with the help of Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, Li learns a new way to fight, setting up for the ultimate martial arts showdown.

In addition to Karate Kid: Legends, Jonathan is the creative mastermind behind the hit Netflix series, The End Of the F***ing World and I Am Not Okay With This.” 

You may recognize Ben from his role as Jin Wang in the Disney+ series American Born Chinese and he is set to star as Wyatt Callow in The Hunger Games: Sunrise of the Reaping. Sadie made her acting debut as Kim Possible in Disney’s 2019 film Kim Possible and starred as Brea Bee in the ABC series The Goldbergs. 

As a director, Jonathan told us that he believes audiences drive the film and television industry and so he really wanted to be careful in understanding the audience for this film. He wanted to bring in the original fans of The Karate Kid franchise, the newer fans that were also hooked on Cobra Kai, and also just general movie lovers. It’s safe to say, this was accomplished!

Jonathan: “The audience is the most important thing in this entire business.”

The film also includes fights that seem very real, and Ben said much of the cast’s prep for the film was fight training and they even got to learn from the legends, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, who reprise their roles as Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso. 

Ben: “Jackie [Chan] would throw some choreo in there too.”

In preparing for his new role in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Ben said he was inspired by Jackie Chan’s excitement of being at work everyday and will take that mindset into future projects. 

Ben: “The key skill is learning how to learn so I’m sure I’ll have to learn more skills for The Hunger Games [Sunrise on the Reaping].”

All three said they were huge fans of The Karate Kid growing up, so it was extra special to be a part of this project. Sadie said the movie was a family favorite and her most memorable moment on set was when Jackie Chan started singing and threw an impromptu concert for the background extras. What we wouldn’t give to be there!

Sadie: “Mia really does feel like a grounding force in the film.”

Thank you, Jonathan, Ben, and Sadie, for chatting with Young Entertainment! Make sure to follow them on their Instagram’s at @jonathan_entwistle, @definitelynotbenwang and @sadieastanley. Be sure to watch the rest of the interview where we ask them about firsts on set and some more BTS moments. While you’re there, be sure to watch or listen depending on how you’re following us.

Consider this:

• Learning never stops as an actor. Every project brings a new lesson or opportunity so remain open minded every day on set.