The new Karate Kid has been found with Ben Wang landing the lead role alongside Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan

Sony announced in late November that original Karate Kid star Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan from the studio's 2010 remake will both star in the new projectThe studio also announced that they were embarking on a global casting search to find the new title character, with over 10,000 submissions on the first day Now that search as come to an end, with the studio landing on 24-year-old Wang, according to The Hollywood Reporter  

Nearly four months after launching a global casting search for the new Karate Kid, Sony Pictures have found their man, with Ben Wang landing the lead role.

Sony announced in late November that original Karate Kid star Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan from the studio’s 2010 remake will both star in the new project.

The studio also announced that they were embarking on a global casting search to find the new title character, with over 10,000 submissions on the first day alone.

Now that search as come to an end, with the studio landing on 24-year-old Wang, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Insiders claimed that Wang delivered a ‘standout audition’ that showcased his ‘deep connection to the charcter.’

Nearly four months after launching a global casting search for the new Karate Kid , Sony Pictures have found their man, with Ben Wang landing the lead role

Sony announced in late November that original Karate Kid star Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan from the studio’s 2010 remake will both star in the new project

It was also a big plus that he’s fluent in Mandarin and highly skilled in several martial arts disciplines such as karate, wing chun/kung fu, gumdo, kempo and taekwondo.

The new project will be set on the East Coast and focus on a teenager from China, ‘who finds strength and direction via martial arts and a tough but wise mentor (or maybe even two).’

Sony Pictures has already set a December 13, 2024 release date, which puts it up against Warner Bros. animated The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

With the release just over 10 months away, it remains to be seen when production may begin, or how many other key roles need to be cast.

Jonathan Entwistle (I Am Not Okay With This) is directing from a script by Rob Lieber (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day)

Karen Rosenfelt is producing for Sony Pictures, which has produced all of the films in the franchise, which have taken in over $618 milllion worldwide.

The franchise kicked off with 1984’s The Karate Kid, which earned over $90 million domestic (5th highest of the year) and $130 million worldwide.

The film starred Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, who both returned for 1986’s The Karate Kid Part II and 1989’s The Karate Kid Part III.

It was also a big plus that he’s fluent in Mandarin and highly skilled in several martial arts disciplines such as karate, wing chun/kung fu, gumdo, kempo and taekwondo

The new project will be set on the East Coast and focus on a teenager from China, ‘who finds strength and direction via martial arts and a tough but wise mentor (or maybe even two)’

The franchise kicked off with 1984’s The Karate Kid, which earned over $90 million domestic (5th highest of the year) and $130 million worldwide

The film starred Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, who both returned for 1986’s The Karate Kid Part II and 1989’s The Karate Kid Part III

Sony also produced The Karate Kid reboot starring Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan and Taraji P. Henson

Ben Wang is best known for playing Jin Wang in Disney Plus’ American Born Chinese and he can currently be seen as Jacob Zheng in the Mean Girls musical

All three films were directed by John G. Alvidsen (Rocky) and written by Robert Mark Kamen (Taken) and produced by Jerry Weintraub, though they weren’t involved in 1994’s The Next Karate Kid, starring Hilary Swank in her first leading role.

Sony also produced The Karate Kid reboot starring Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan and Taraji P. Henson.

The franchise also spawned the popular Netflix series Cobra Kai, which recently started production on its sixth and final season.

Ben Wang is best known for playing Jin Wang in Disney Plus’ American Born Chinese and he can currently be seen as Jacob Zheng in the Mean Girls musical.