Ralph Macchio chats with THR at the 'Karate Kid: Legends' premiere and talks about his decision to return to the franchise. Plus, he dishes on working with Jackie Chan and the future of the franchise saying he'll always be open to returning.
00:00You hadn't been a part of the last two Karate Kid films, so what went into the decision to come back for this one?
00:05Well, it was, you know, it was, it took a while to, and numerous discussions with the studio.
00:11I understood the concept. It was, I was in the middle of Cobra Kai, and we were still finishing that story.
00:17So I wanted to know where it was landing in Daniel LaRusso's narrative and his evolution.
00:23And once we figured out it was three years later, and we landed him in the series, kind of the best version of himself, through his little midlife crisis of Cobra Kai soap opera.
00:35There was an element of him being sort of more Miyagi in his way and paying that legacy forward to a kid who needs his help.
00:45And then connecting the stories that all Karate comes from China and how Miyagi would know Mr. Han became intriguing.
00:56The fact of working with Jackie Chan on the big screen, that was awesome.
00:59It was just how to do it in a way that feels authentic and honors the legacy of the entire franchise.
01:07And I think we do that. It's a fresh, it's another ecosystem in the grand universe.
01:11This franchise doesn't know how to not do it right when we care.
01:17And I try to always take great care and protect my character.
01:21And I think, I'd like to believe I've done that again.
01:23Yeah, absolutely. And working with Jackie, what was it like collaborating with him?
01:27And did working with him sort of push you in terms of your own stunt work?
01:32Yes, yes. He's, you know, it's Jackie Chan.
01:35I was a bit nervous stepping on the stage and doing those sparring scenes with him and Ben Wong.
01:40And incidentally, Ben Wong is so wonderful in this movie.
01:42I mean, you could go toe-to-toe.
01:43Yeah, okay, I could go.
01:45But it was, my favorite moment is when he actually threw his shoulder out slightly.
01:51And I saw he winced in a little bit of pain.
01:53And I don't wish pain on anybody, but it made me relax a little bit that even Jackie Chan can feel it a little bit at our ages.
02:00It was great.
02:01He, he, he's like a kid in a candy store.
02:04He loves being on set.
02:05It's infectious.
02:06And he loves positivity and humor.
02:09And all those things that are part of his legacy are enlaced in this movie.
02:13And that's going to be fun for families to see.
02:15And where does the franchise go from here?
02:17We'll see, you know.
02:18So as long as it's honest, genuine, and truthful to the base of this character and these characters, I'll always be open to listen.
02:28Because I, I like that the next generation could experience the joy of what we've been through, you know.
02:35In a world that's not always joyful, it's really cool to bring some of that.
