Why Jackie Chan's Mr. Han Goes to Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso in Karate Kid: Legends

Karate Kid: LegendsThe first trailer shows the union of Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, teasing a connection that goes back centuries. THE Karate Kid reboot/sequel story was announced in 2022, tying together the original story of The Karate Kid from the 1980s and its companion film from 2010. This caused great excitement, especially given the modern resurgence of Karate Kid franchise that will be practically completed thanks to Cobra Kai 6th season.

As anticipation builds for the film's May 2025 release date, the first trailer for Karate Kid: Legends shows the titular characters united. The legend of the 2010s The Karate Kid and the legendary wrestler from the 1984 version united on screen, with Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso and Jackie Chan's Mr. Han teaming up. Beyond the superficial excitement of seeing these two together on screen, Karate Kid: Legends teases a deeper story that explains why Mr. Han sought out Daniel in the first place, and how it all ties into the ever-inspiring and wise Mr. Han.

Han knew Mr. Miyagi and is now asking Daniel for help with a student

Old connections bear fruit

The first reason Mr. Han is looking for Daniel is Mr. Han himself. Karate Kid: Legends The trailer begins with Mr. Han training a new student before finally arriving at the now-iconic Miyagi-do dojo. As he looks at the images of Miyagi on the wall, Daniel can be heard saying “Have you met Mr. Miyagi?” Mr. Han responds “I didn't come looking for Sensei Miyagi. I came looking for you.” Not only does this imply that Han and Miyagi knew each other, as the former doesn't deny Daniel's question, but it raises another reason for Daniel's involvement.

Later in the trailer, Mr. Han is heard talking about his new student, Li Fong. Played by Ben Wang in Karate Kid: Legends cast, Li is important to Mr. Han, as evidenced by the latter's words: “Li is to me what you meant to Sensei Miyagi.” Based on this, Mr. Han may not be sure how to teach a student with whom he is so connected, thus looking for someone who has had a similar relationship. Daniel knows what it's like to be in Li's position, but also in Mr. Li's position. Cobra Kaimeaning the two can help each other teach Li in the best way.

Mr. Han and Mr. Miyagi's family were connected “since the old days”

Interestingly, the fact that Han knows about Mr. Miyagi raises the question of how they are connected. After all, Mr. Han was shown to be from Beijing, China in 2010 The Karate Kidwhile Mr. Miyagi is originally from the Japanese island of Okinawa. Despite this, there is a link between the two, which has been described as going back generations.

The director of Karate Kid: Legends, Jonathan Entwistle, confirmed this, even hinting that before Karate Kid the films confirm the connection between the Miyagi family and the Han family. Since then, the public has noticed how Miyagi once mentioned that his ancestor, Shimpo Miyagi, fell asleep on a fishing boat and was taken to China. Shimpo stayed in China, learned martial arts and returned with a wife. Shimpo's time in China could explain how the Miyagis are linked to the Hans, potentially explaining why Mr. Han seeks out Miyagi's protégé in Karate Kid: Legends.