Minor spoilers for Karate Child: Legends lie forward, so learn on accordingly.
The Karate Child movie collection formally expands with a sixth installment that’s subtitled Legends. But the Jonathan Entwistle-helmed 2025 film launch additionally melds the Miyagi-verse continuity with that of the 2010 movie. Because of this, Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso returns as does Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han to mentor a brand new karate pupil, Li Fong (Ben Wang). I had the chance to see the legacy sequel myself and, as a fan of the franchise, I’m not too excessive on it. Nevertheless, there’s one particular element that’s actually bugging me.
There’s One Factor Facet Of Mr. Han’s Function That I Simply Can’t Get Over
When followers final noticed handyman Mr. Han on the finish of 2010’s The Karate Child (which nonetheless receives love), he was celebrating with younger Parker (Jaden Smith), because the latter emerged victorious at a kung fu event. The opening of Legends makes it clear that quite a bit has modified for Han since his final look. From the leap, it’s established that Han is now a revered shifu who oversees a number of faculties in Beijing. The character’s standing doesn’t bug me by itself, however it’s the dearth of readability relating to how he acquired there that’s annoying.
I discovered myself scratching my head over the truth that Legends doesn’t make any type of try to fill within the blanks in relation to how Han turned a legendary grasp all through all of China. As talked about, he was a handyman who was hesitant to tackle only one pupil. Now, not solely is he desperate to tackle new protégés – like his nice nephew, Li Fong – however he’s additionally overseeing a large swath of kung fu trainees. There’s not even any slight reference to his previous as a upkeep man (and never any point out of Dre both).
Contemplating how far Han has come personally and professionally, I actually would’ve appreciated, on the very least, a little bit little bit of exposition to elucidate how his life shifted shortly after the occasions of the 2010 flick. I imply, did he and Dre take part in different tournaments, incomes Han sufficient notoriety as a trainer to begin a college? Or did he leverage his household’s historical past with martial arts ultimately? We, the viewers, are solely left to imagine and check out to attract our personal conclusions.
My gripe could sound nitpicky however, whenever you’ve established a continuity, character backstory and different particulars needs to be taken under consideration. Then once more, it is a movie that has no downside bending what’s come earlier than, given the way it ropes Han into the Miyagi-verse’s mythology.
Will Mr. Han Ever Return After Karate Child: Legends?
Now that Jackie Chan’s jovial character is again within the fold, it’s onerous not to wonder if he may return. Contemplating his present standing, there are actually alternatives for him to pop up once more. I wouldn’t be stunned if Chan expressed openness to enjoying the character once more in some unspecified time in the future, too. In spite of everything, the long-lasting actor doesn’t appear to have any plans to retire and, as he defined to CinemaBlend, he’s nonetheless set on doing his personal stunts even in his 70s.
I might think about, nevertheless, that such a reprisal would depend upon Legends’ efficiency on the field workplace. Throughout its opening weekend, the movie amassed a world cume of $47 million in opposition to a manufacturing price range of $45 million. That’s respectable and, ought to it pattern in the best course, it might end its theatrical run with a strong haul.
Sony appears to be all in on this storied martial arts franchise, as potential spinoffs for the hit offshoot TV collection, Cobra Kai (which is streamable with a Netflix subscription) are reportedly being thought of. We are able to solely speculate as as to whether that luck from the small-screen facet of the franchise will lengthen to the cinema. For now, followers can see Karate Child: Legends in theaters and, in the event that they really feel like I do, they’ll hope that any potential sequel may present readability on Mr. Han’s private journey.