The Karate Kid 2 (2025): A New Journey, Ultimate Martial Arts and an Immortal Legacy

Highlights of The Karate Kid 2 – 2025

The film takes place three years after the final events of Cobra Kai.
Set mainly in New York, creating a difference from the previous parts.
The main character – Li Fong (played by Ben Wang)

A talented teenager in kung fu, with a martial arts style different from traditional karate.
After experiencing a family tragedy, he is forced to move to America, looking for a new life.
Here, he is drawn into the world of karate and must learn to combine the two martial arts styles.
The return of Master Han and Daniel LaRusso

Master Han (Jackie Chan): The person who trained Dre Parker in The Karate Kid (2010), now continues to be Li Fong’s master.
Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio): An iconic character from The Karate Kid (1984) and Cobra Kai, he serves as Li’s mentor and helps him gain a deeper understanding of martial arts.
Two different training styles but with the same goal of helping Li grow
Martial Arts Training and Tournament

Li must balance kung fu and karate, something that has never been seen in the previous series.
The training not only makes him stronger but also teaches him lessons in discipline, honor, and perseverance.
The film climaxes with a grand karate tournament, where Li faces talented fighters and the biggest challenge of his life.
Conflict and Antagonist

A mysterious opponent appears, with connections to Han and Daniel’s past.
The story is not just about fighting, but also about the search for identity, loyalty, and revenge.
Message and Theme

The combination of traditional and modern, between two different martial arts styles.
The main character’s growth, learning to overcome pain and finding his own path.
The teacher-student relationship, an important element in the Karate Kid series.
The film promises to bring an emotional journey and beautiful martial arts, combining the spirit of the classic The Karate Kid with the innovation of Cobra Kai.

The film is directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Rob Lieber. Filming took place from April to June 2024. The film was originally scheduled to be released on June 7, 2024, but due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and to avoid overlapping with the final season of Cobra Kai, the release date was moved to May 30, 2025.