By Ming-Na Wen has officially joined the cast of the upcoming ‘Karate Kid’ film, as reported by a US-based media outlet. The details of her role, mirroring the film’s plot, are currently kept under wraps. The movie will be helmed by Jonathan Entwistle, known for directing Netflix’s ‘I Am Not Okay With This’ and ‘The End of the F–ing World.’
Rob Lieber, the writer behind ‘Peter Rabbit,’ will be crafting the screenplay, while Karen Rosenfelt is set to produce. The titular role will be played by ‘American Born Chinese’ star Ben Wang, with Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio reprising their characters from previous entries. Joining the cast are Joshua Jackson and Sadie Stanley, adding to the ensemble.
The ‘Karate Kid’ film franchise has achieved global success, grossing USD 618 million, and its legacy continues with the Emmy-nominated Netflix series ‘Cobra Kai.’ Created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, the series unfolds decades after the original movies, reigniting the rivalry between Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka).
Ming-Na Wen, known for her role as Fennec Shand in Disney+’s ‘The Book of Boba Fett,’ a spinoff of ‘The Mandalorian,’ and her recent appearance in HBO’s ‘Hacks’ Season 2, was recognized as a Disney Legend in 2019 for her contributions to projects like ‘Mulan,’ ‘Marvel’s Agents of Shield,’ and ‘The Joy Luck Club.’ She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in May 2023.
The highly anticipated ‘Karate Kid’ film is scheduled to hit theaters on December 13, 2024.
