Ben Wang Describes the 'Brutal' Audition Process for 'Karate Kid: Legends' (Exclusive)
Ben Wang Describes the 'Brutal' Audition Process for 'Karate Kid: Legends' (Exclusive) originally appeared on Parade.
In November 2023, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio appeared in a video launching a global casting call to find the next Karate Kid. Macchio, who played Daniel LaRusso in the original 1984 iteration of The Karate Kid and Chan, who plays kung fu master Mr. Han in the 2010 reboot, would be joining forces to unify the franchise with a new young lead.
Only four months later in February 2024 after an intense worldwide search, Sony Pictures announced that American Born Chinese star Ben Wang had nabbed the role of Li Fong, the latest titular martial artist.
While chatting with Parade, Wang describes the nearly two-month-long audition process as "brutal and terrifying." The casting journey required "like seven different tapes and meetings and meetings," according to Wang. "They were thorough because they were really specific about what they wanted, and so it's a long, hard process and there was a martial arts section. I'm really happy, and I feel lucky that what they wanted was me."
After all his hard work, Wang found out he'd got the role in about as unglamorous a way as possible. "I was at my home, at my abode," he remembers. "I think i got the call when I was in the bathroom, and then I shifted it to somewhere with better lighting."
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While Chan and Macchio were not actively involved with the scouting process, they're both thrilled that Wang ended up earning the part.
"When you see the movie, it is truly the choice of one," Macchio says. "I did see the screen test, and then I watched a little bit of American Born Chinese, and you saw the pieces of his humor and likability, but more so when working with him on the set, everything really came [together]."
Chan, who has been working with martial artists on screen for decades, was a bit tougher to impress.
"I got the video too," he remembers. "Videos all same. You know, they spin around, they do some martial arts. Why this guy? They already choose for me. 'That's Ben Wang. He will be the karate kid.' I just wondering, 'Why him?' But my stunt team, they call me, 'Wow! The young guy is so clever. Whatever we teach him, he learned so fast.' Okay, everybody learns fast."
It wasn't until Chan started working with Wang on set that he became impressed with Wang. "Not on the screen, behind the scene, I was taking a rest," Chan says, recalling the moment he warmed up to Wang. "He was on the corner, still practicing. I said, 'That young kid, good.'"
Forever the jokester, Chan then adds, "When he fought with me, then 'Yeah, not as good as me, but good.'"
"I'm really happy with that assessment," Wang replies laughing.
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Of course Macchio and Chan have years of experience in the business and couldn't help but share some advice with the newcomer.
"Just be yourself," Macchio remembers telling Wang. "This character, the protagonist in this universe of these Karate Kid films: it's the essence of genuine truth of character. So the more Ben that is infused in Li Fong, the more we believe him on this ride. That's how I portrayed it back in the day, and I see the same thing in him."
Chan says he didn't need to give any acting advice to Wang, but "only when the action sequence coming, I maybe a little trick, little secret things I taught him."
Individualized lessons from Jackie Chan is certainly what every marital artist dreams of. Chan, however, is now waiting for the favor to be returned. "He learned everything," Chan says of Wang. "You spent three months to learn everything from me. Pay me!"
Ben Wang Describes the 'Brutal' Audition Process for 'Karate Kid: Legends' (Exclusive) first appeared on Parade on May 30, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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