Sony released the first trailer for the latest “Best Kid” movie, “Best Kid: Legend,” at New York Comic Con on Friday night. The film, which opens in theaters on May 30th, co-stars franchise stars Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan and features a new student named Li Fung, played by Ben Wang.
Macchio returns as Daniel LaRusso, a role he played in the original 1984 “The Best Kid” film trilogy and later reprized in Netflix’s “Cobra Kai” series. Chan also returns as Mr. Han, a kung fu master based on Mr. Miyagi, who coached Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker in the 2010 remake of The Best Kid.
The trailer was shown exclusively to the New York Comic Con crowd and featured intense karate action from the three leads. Daniel LaRusso, who plays Macchio, arrives in Beijing and Mr. Han, who plays Zhang, is looking for him. Mr. Han explains that Mr. Han’s new protégé, Mr. Li Fung, is a mentor to Mr. Han, just as Mr. Miyagi was to Daniel. He and Daniel narrate the trailer, and it’s clear that they will have to work together to train Li Fong, but will their teaching styles match?
The trailer shows off plenty of street and dojo fight scenes, including a brief tease of some kind of new karate tournament. In one particularly memorable scene, Li Fung fights off a bully in an alley by swinging off a fire escape ladder and into a wall. “American Born Chinese” star Wang has stunt experience, and it certainly shows in the trailer.
Wang was chosen for the role after Chan and Macchio announced a global search for thousands of young actors around the world, due to his outstanding performance and deep connection to the character. Wang is skilled in a variety of martial arts, including karate, Wing Chun/Kung Fu, Gomdo, Kung Fu, and Taekwondo.
Ming-Na Wen, known for her roles in Mulan and The Joy Luck Club, will play Wang’s mother. Joshua Jackson and Sadie Stanley also appear.
Jonathan Entwistle, creator and director of Netflix’s I Am Not and The End of the F-ing World, will direct the film from a script by Peter Rabbit screenwriter Rob Lieber. Produced by Karen Rosenfelt.
