Jackie Chan doesn’t just return to the Karate Kid universe in Karate Kid: Legends — he comes back with the energy of a man half his age and the wisdom of someone who’s lived a thousand cinematic lives. More than 15 years after starring as Mr. Han in the 2010 reboot, Chan is stepping into the role once again, not just to throw punches, but to teach a new generation what it means to fight with purpose.
Mr. Han steps into the Big Apple with a new mission
Unlike the original film’s setting in suburban China, Karate Kid: Legends moves Mr. Han to New York City. It’s a change of scenery that Chan playfully acknowledges, but he’s quick to add that beneath the skyscrapers and chaos, Han remains the same — a dedicated teacher who cares deeply about his students.
“This time, Mr. Han comes to New York and experiences the Big Apple. But he’s still the shifu who cares the most about his students,” Chan said, referencing the time gap between films with a familiar mix of humor and sincerity.
Han’s new student is Li Fong (Ben Wang), a young kung fu prodigy grappling with loss and relocation. As Li struggles to find his place, he’s pulled into a karate competition — not by choice, but by loyalty. And that’s when Mr. Han brings in Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) for help. The result? A martial arts team-up fans never knew they needed.
This isn’t just action — it’s a fusion of styles and generations
Director Jonathan Entwistle didn’t just want cool fights — he wanted fights that told stories. He drew inspiration from Chan’s early work, aiming for that signature blend of humor and ingenuity that defined films like Drunken Master and Police Story. And he says that’s exactly what they achieved.
“We wanted the martial arts to feel like an early Jackie Chan film,” Entwistle explained. “There’s a humor to the choreography. It’s in-camera, practical, and it has a narrative. Jackie taught us to ask: ‘Why is he using this thing? What’s the story in the fight?’”
Entwistle even compared the film’s tone to Chan’s own career — saying that Karate Kid: Legends feels like a mix of old-school Chan grit and new-age storytelling. And with Ben Wang training every day with a Chinese stunt team, the action sequences deliver authenticity over spectacle.
Chan still does his own stunts — and isn’t planning to stop
One thing hasn’t changed in Jackie Chan’s career: he refuses to let someone else do the dangerous work. Even at 71, Chan insists he’ll keep performing his own stunts until he retires — and by “retires,” he means never.
“Of course, I always do my own stunts. That’s who I am,” he said. “I don’t plan to stop until I die. It’s muscle memory now. Everything is in my heart and soul.”
He’s aware that modern films lean heavily on CGI, but Chan believes real risk brings real emotion. He’s not encouraging anyone to copy him, though — he knows how dangerous it is. Still, the idea of action without real danger doesn’t sit right with him.
“When you don’t risk your life, it becomes fake. And audiences can feel that,” he said. “I wanted to bring back that sense of reality, even in a film like Karate Kid: Legends.”
Behind the heroics is a man who’s never stopped learning — or giving back
Jackie Chan’s life off-screen is as full of purpose as his on-screen persona. He carries two stuffed pandas everywhere — Chan La and Chan Zy — but they’re more than toys. They’re companions on a journey he’s still taking, a journey that includes humanitarian work, environmental advocacy, and a deep love for education.
His Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation and Dragon’s Heart Foundation have built schools, helped disaster victims, and supported children worldwide. Chan says he speaks to young people about something he missed himself: the chance to study.
“I didn’t go to school when I was young. That’s why I tell kids: study hard. Learn as much as you can,” he said. “Education gave me a second life.”
Karate Kid: Legends is more than nostalgia — it’s Chan’s next chapter
Chan doesn’t want to spoil the movie, but he promises there’s a moment of action “the kind you haven’t seen in 15 years.” He calls the final rooftop fight “a visual poem” to Li’s journey — and to the idea that martial arts is about more than defeating opponents.
“There’s friendship. There’s dedication. When people hold hands and work together, there’s a miracle,” he said.
For a man whose career is built on pushing limits, Karate Kid: Legends isn’t just another role. It’s a chance to share what he’s learned — about fighting, failing, and never giving up — with someone new. And that’s a legacy worth every broken bone and burned hand.
“I hope people watch my movies and learn one thing: be a good person. That’s enough,” Chan said. “I’m still on the road. But not yet. Not yet.”