The next chapter in the Karate Kid franchise is just beginning, as Cobra Kai draws to a close. A new installment in the series is set for 2025, starring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan. The only confirmed cast member for Cobra Kai and the 2025 film is Macchio. As for who’s joining the cast, he recently opened up to PEOPLE magazine.

Ralph Macchio Discusses His Reason for Taking Part in the New Karate Kid Movie

The upcoming Karate Kid film will star Ralph Macchio, best known for his role as Daniel LaRusso in the original Karate Kid films and the Netflix series Cobra Kai. Ben Wang and Jackie Chan also star in the film, which will arrive shortly after the third and final season of Cobra Kai concludes. Macchio, who is 62, filmed both projects back-to-back.

“After the Cobra Kai closing party, I went straight to Montreal and started filming nonstop for a couple of weeks,” Macchio told PEOPLE, reflecting on his busy schedule and expressing his excitement about the upcoming film.

Macchio points out that the new film focuses on upholding the honesty and truth of his character, Daniel LaRusso, and honoring the influence of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi, who was originally played by the late Pat Morita. He remains mum on the plot details of the film, however. Bringing the honesty and truth of the beloved franchise to the forefront was the message he conveyed with this project.

“For me, it was really about taking the honesty and truth of Daniel LaRusso and what his mentor Miyagi (played by the late Pat Morita in the original films) meant to him and passing that on.”

Macchio assures fans that the new film is “canon,” stating that Daniel LaRusso’s character remains true to the beloved version that viewers have grown to love over time.

Ralph Macchio Describes How the New Karate Kid Movie Ties to Cobra Kai

There will be connections between the upcoming Karate Kid film and the popular Cobra Kai spinoff series. Ben Wang will star in the film, but Ralph Macchio will also return as Daniel LaRusso, a legacy figure.

During an interview with Collider to promote the final season of Cobra Kai, Macchio discussed the strong connections between the film and the series as it relates to his character. He said he couldn’t reveal many details about the project yet, but stressed the importance of remaining authentic to LaRusso. In 1983, he strove to portray the character truthfully, and that dedication continues today in Cobra Kai.

Macchio spoke about the value of authenticity in the upcoming film, emphasizing the importance of staying true to the character and his intentions. He revealed that he found inspiration in elements from Cobra Kai Season 6 that make sense within the larger story. While subtle, these references contribute to the character’s decisions and provide a unified storyline that fans will hopefully relate to.

Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 1 premieres on Netflix on July 18, with Part 2 coming out on November 28. The new Karate Kid film will hit theaters on May 30, 2025.