In addition to serving as a soft reboot for the Karate Kid franchise, the 2025 film most popular martial arts films for beginners, spurring a franchise with four films with Pat Morita, one remake with Jackie Chan, and the TV show Cobra Kai.

Like many fans, I felt very protective of the original Karate Kid movies starring Pat Morita, so I was skeptical of the 2010 remake. However, I did my best to watch the film with an open mind. The movie wasn’t bad, necessarily, but it made one major narrative decision that never really made sense – changing the martial arts style. After 15 years of confusion, Karate Kid: Legends will finally fix the problem.

The 2010 Karate Kid Remake Featured Kung Fu, Not Karate

The 2010 Remake Using The "Karate Kid" Name Was (Kind Of) A Lie

One of the most frustrating inconsistencies about the 2010 Karate Kid remake is the fact that they kept the name but not the martial arts style. In the Karate Kid trilogy and The Next Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel LaRusso and Julie Pierce karate, a style of martial arts that fits into his Okinawan backstory. On the other hand, Mr. Han teaches Dre Parker kung fu in The Karate Kid (2010). The change in style makes sense for the setting since the remake takes place in China, but it also causes a problem.

By keeping the name karate but showing kung fu, The Karate Kid (2010) made it seem like they’re the same thing. However, Kung fu is vastly different from karate. Kung Fu originates in China and incorporates Daoism and Confucianism. The moves are fluid and inspired by animals. Some of Kung Fu’s major goals are improving spiritual development, balance, and the mind-body connection. In contrast, karate originated in Japan and incorporates Bushido. The moves are linear, requiring strength, speed, and precision. Karate goals include learning humility and self-control. Their most significant points of overlap are their focus on discipline and focus.

Considering the stylistic and cultural differences, I think it’s disingenuous for the Karate Kid remake to keep the name without heavily featuring the martial arts style. The movie could’ve still included kung fu if it took steps to bridge the gaps between the two parts of the Karate Kid universe. However, they don’t address the change, and they never truly connect the films outside of the name and a few narrative parallels.

Karate Kid: Legends Will Bring Together The Two Martial Arts Disciplines

Karate Kid: Legends Will Combine Kung Fu And Karate In One Film

For the past fifteen years, The Karate Kid (2010) using kung fu instead of karate has felt like the elephant in the room. Luckily, Karate Kid: Legends will finally address the change by bringing the films together. The trailer shows Mr. Han seeking out Daniel LaRusso to help him with his student, Li. This fixes the first issue of the remake not connecting to the previous four films. Additionally, the voiceover mentions both karate and kung fu. It isn’t clear from the trailer how they plan to connect the two. Luckily, the synopsis provides a clearer picture. It reads:

“After moving to New York City with his mother, kung fu prodigy Li Fong struggles to let go of the past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition -- but his skills alone aren't enough. With help from Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, he soon learns to merge two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.”

I’m excited for Karate Kid: Legends because it fixes the second issue with the remake. The plot seems like it will point out the differences and similarities between kung fu and karate since Li knows the former and will learn the latter. As the synopsis promises, he’ll eventually blend them together. Even if they end up depicting mixed martial arts in the showdown, the process of finding their harmony feels respectful of both disciplines.

Karate Kid: Legends Should Have Jackie Chan & Ralph Macchio Fight Each Other

Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso Fighting Could Be More Than Just Fan Service

Karate Kid: Legends can list out the differences between karate and kung fu as much as they want, but the best and most practical way to show the difference between the martial arts disciplines would be to show them against each other in action. The most epic example of this would be Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio fighting each other in a friendly match. Jackie Chan always does his own stunts, and Ralph Macchio learned karate in real life so he could perform most of his stunts as well.

Obviously, they’re quite different, as Jackie Chan has been training in martial arts since he was seven years old, while Ralph Macchio told The Wrap that he has a long way to go as a technical karate fighter. However, it’s still thrilling to think about these two iconic actors doing martial arts together in Karate Kid: Legends. It would be a great way to merge the worlds visually.