'Karate Kid' stars Ralph Macchio, Jackie Chan join forces for first joint film: 'Big news'

Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan are bringing their "Karate Kid" worlds together into one movie.

Macchio, 62, and martial arts star Chan, 69, who starred in "Karate Kid" movies decades apart, will join forces to star in a new franchise film coming to theaters Dec. 13, 2024.

"We're starring in a new 'Karate Kid' movie together," Macchio said in a Sony Studios video released Tuesday.

"That is big news," Chan said in the video, before announcing a global search for the new young star of the upcoming film.

"So let's wax on, wax off, everybody," Macchio said to end the video, quoting the famed "Karate Kid" line from Mr. Miyagi's (played by the late Pat Morita).

The new "Karate Kid" film, which does not yet have a title, will be directed by Jonathan Entwistle and will fuse the two separate film worlds together.

Macchio, of course, started off the franchise with 1984's "Karate Kid" and its successors, "The Karate Kid Part II" and "The Karate Kid Part III," as well as reprising his role of Daniel LaRusso in the critically acclaimed Netflix series "Cobra Kai."

"Karate Kid" first featured Macchio as young Daniel who trained with Mr. Miyagi to avoid harassment and learn how to defend himself from local bullies in his new town.

Academy Award-winner Chan starred as the Miyagi counterpart Mr. Han in 2010's "Karate Kid" reboot with Jaden Smith.

'It was magic':Ralph Macchio talks 'Cobra Kai,' relationship to Pat Morita in 'Waxing On'