It is hard not to be excited about the new Karate Kid movie, but the fact that it is repeating the 2010 remake’s biggest “kung fu” mistake is a little concerning. Set somewhere after the events of Cobra Kai season 6, the new Karate Kid movie is seemingly retconning the franchise by bridging the gap between the original Karate Kid movies and the 2010 Karate Kid remake. Considering how several details in Cobra Kai‘s initial seasons established that 2010’s The Karate Kid did not unfold in the original Karate Kid universe, this retcon could lead to some minor inconsistencies in the franchise’s overarching storyline.
However, these discrepancies will easily be overshadowed by the movie’s biggest strength: a team-up between Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso and Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han. Unfortunately, the new Karate Kid movie seems to be making another mistake that will likely not get resolved so easily. What makes it all the more visible and concerning is that this is not the first time the Karate Kid franchise has made this mistake.
Ralph Macchio & Jackie Chan’s Karate Kid Movie Means Another Character Return Is Now Way More Likely
Since Ralph Macchio & Jackie Chan have been confirmed as cast members for the new Karate Kid film, another franchise character’s return seems likely.
The New Karate Kid Movie Has A “Kung Fu” Problem
Although 2010’s The Karate Kid was marketed as a remake of the original Karate Kid movie series, its title did not do justice to its story because it revolved around kung fu, which, unlike Karate, is a Chinese martial art. According to reports (via MTV), Jackie Chan and all crew members from the film even referred to it as “The Kung-Fu Kid,” and, at one point, Sony even considered changing its name to “The Kung Fu Kid” to accurately highlight what it is about (via LA Times). However, despite these initial considerations, the idea was eventually dropped, and the movie was released as The Karate Kid to make it appealing to the audiences of the original films.
While it is understandable why its title remained unchanged, calling it The Karate Kid seems a little problematic because Karate is a Japanese martial art while kung fu originated in China. Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han, too, is portrayed as a kung fu master who teaches kung fu to Dre Parker. Dre then enrolls in a kung fu tournament and dukes it out with other young kung fu practitioners. Although the movie has a “jacket on, jacket off” moment, reminiscent of Mr. Miyagi’s “wax on, wax off” from the original films, it seems odd that a movie about kung fu has been titled The Karate Kid. Since Jackie Chan is reprising his role as Mr. Han in the new Karate Kid movie, the Sony film seems to be making the same mistake as the 2010 remake.
Why The New Karate Kid Movie’s Kung Fu Rebrand Is Not As Bad As The 2010 Remake
Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han will again be playing the role of a kung fu master, which is not in tandem with the new Karate Kid movie’s title. However, compared to the 2010 remake, the new Karate Kid movie’s kung fu rebrand can still be forgiven because it has the original bonafide Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso, as one of its leads. How Han and LaRusso will join forces and teach their respective martial arts to a new student is yet to be seen. But the prospect of seeing both “jacket on, jacket off” and “wax on, wax off” philosophies in the same film already makes the new Karate Kid movie incredibly exciting.
Sources: MTV, LA Times
