Nelson Morales

'Karate Kid: Legends' to hit PH cinemas on May 28

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747202333565Karate.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo: Handout" style="width:960px"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo: Handout</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- &quot;Karate Kid: Legends&quot; starring Ralph Macchio, Jackie Chan and Ben Wang will hit Philippine cinemas on May 28. </p><p>In a press release, film producer Karen Rosenfelt shared what&#x27;s unique with the upcoming martial arts film.</p><p>“Bringing these two legends together is beyond a producer&#x27;s dream,” said Rosenfelt. </p><p>“What’s fresh and unique about this movie is that both Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso are training a Chinese, Mandarin-speaking boy. It&#x27;s a story about family and recovering what&#x27;s important. And it works as a standalone if you have never seen a Karate Kid film, and it’s also a love letter to those who were there for &#x27;The Karate Kid&#x27; in 1984.”</p><div> <span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BtACuGrq2uA? \autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><div><br/></div><p>In &quot;Karate Kid: Legends,&quot; kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) has moved across continents to New York City. Adjusting to his new home, he finds himself attracting unwanted attention from the local karate champion. Preparing for the ultimate martial arts showdown, Li’s kung fu mentor Mr. Han (Chan) enlists the help of Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) to merge the two unique disciplines together.</p><p>The filmmakers have taken care to honor the franchise and bring in exciting new concepts to appeal to new and longtime fans, and none has brought in more effort into &quot;Karate Kid: Legends&quot; than actor and executive producer Macchio.</p><p> “I’ve been careful over the years with protecting this franchise, protecting this character,” Macchio said. “The evolution of these characters, the themes in the original movie, they still stand the test of time and win over each generation.”</p><p>Chan was eager to get back into the franchise, reprising the role of Mr. Han. “I wanted to come back to this role because the audience wants to come back,” he says. “We’ve been looking for a good story. We’ve been waiting.”</p><p>Having the martial arts icon with decades of films under his belt was a unique learning experience for Macchio. &quot;I have so much respect for him as an artist and entertainer,” he said. “He&#x27;s a legend in the field, whether it be motion pictures and martial arts or even comedy. He cares very much, and he&#x27;s very involved in every take, certainly in the martial arts takes. He&#x27;s like, ‘No, no, this is how it&#x27;s done!’ I kind of just say, ‘Okay!’”</p><p>The feeling was mutual with Chan, who felt like he had immediate chemistry with Macchio. “Our first time meeting was the premiere of The Karate Kid ten years ago. He&#x27;s an actor like me—so experienced,” said Chan. “He knows what a film needs. Immediately we just melded together. Whatever I’d say, he was already thinking.”</p><p>&quot;Karate Kid: Legends&quot; is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.  </p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong><br/><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p5eWyXBIAMc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r04oKvDAm9o?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>'Karate Kid: Legends' starring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan will hit Philippine cinemas on May 28.</p>

'Karate Kid: Legends' starring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan will hit Philippine cinemas on May 28.