Ralph Macchio opens up on the legacy of Karate Kid franchise, says its themes "still stand the test of time"

With Karate Kid: Legends set to hit the theatres in a few days, actor Ralph Macchio is stepping back into the role of Daniel LaRusso. This time, he teams up with Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han to train Han’s nephew, Li Fong, in a fusion of karate and kung fu for a high-stakes tournament in New York.

For Ralph, returning to the franchise was about honoring the past while moving the story forward. “I’ve been careful over the years with protecting this franchise, protecting this character,” he says. “The evolution of these characters, the themes in the original movie, they still stand the test of time and win over each generation.”

Talking about sharing screen space with the legend Jackie Chan, Ralph said, "Working alongside Chan was a learning experience in itself. I have so much respect for him as an artist and entertainer. He's a legend in the field, whether it be motion pictures and martial arts or even comedy. He cares very much, and he's very involved in every take, certainly in the martial arts' takes. He's like, ‘No, no, this is how it's done!’ I kind of just say, ‘Okay!’”

Macchio is just as excited about the next generation. He praises newcomer Ben Wang, who plays Li Fong, as a breakout star. “His work ethic, his preparedness, his not taking anything for granted—he will be this generation's Karate Kid!” Macchio says.

Audiences can also expect emotional ties to Mr. Miyagi’s legacy. “Daniel LaRusso always feels the honor and respect for Miyagi,” Macchio notes. “And seeing how important Li Fong is to Mr. Han, there’s a parallel there. There's another kid out there who needs a little bit of help, and maybe sharing a bit of the Miyagi wisdom and legacy and traditions will never be the wrong choice, if it could help someone.”

Jonathan Entwistle is directing the new installment in the Karate Kid franchise from a Rob Lieber screenplay.

Karate Kid: Legends is set three years after Cobra Kai's final season. The rest of the cast members from the film include Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley and Ming-Na Wen.

Karate Kid: Legends, which marks the sixth movie in the franchise, hits the theatres on May 30th in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu.