Jackie Chan sang, took handprints, and talked about his love for movies at the stage greeting for 'The Karate Kid: Legends'
The latest film in the series, ' The Karate Kid: Legends,' which follows the classic hit film 'The Karate Kid,' in which a bullied high school student meets a karate master , undergoes rigorous training, learns his techniques, and challenges his arch rival to a fight... To coincide with the film's nationwide theatrical release on Friday, August 29, 2025, Jackie Chan, who played the kung fu master, Mr. Han, came to Japan to appear on stage to greet the audience.
The Karate Kid: Legends Official Site | Sony Pictures
Jackie Chan will be visiting Japan for the first time in a year, having previously visited in 2024 to coincide with the release of the film 'Ride On.' However, this will be his first visit to Japan for a movie premiere on stage in 30 years, since 'Red Bronx' in 1995.
Jackie appeared to thunderous applause and cheers and said, 'You are all my old friends (fans), and you grew up watching my films. I have grown up together with you all.'
Jackie, who was in Switzerland until last month, has since traveled to Italy, London, Beijing, Macau, and Hong Kong, and has been in Japan since the day before yesterday.She says she is so busy that she almost loses track of where she is, but she said, 'The important thing is that I'm here today,' which drew applause from her fans.
Regarding this film, 'The Karate Kid: Legends,' he described the process of making it as 'miraculous.' When the first film in the series, 'The Karate Kid,' was released, Jackie went to the cinema to see it, and was able to easily understand the teachings of Miyagi Karate, which made him wonder, 'Why didn't they offer me a role?'
When asked about when Will Smith contacted him about the plan to remake 'The Karate Kid,' Jackie said he was a little disappointed, thinking, 'I'm not the Kid anymore...' but Smith then told him, 'My son (Jaden Smith) will be playing the Kid!', drawing laughter from the audience.
The remake of 'The Karate Kid,' starring Jackie as a kung fu master, was a huge hit, and Smith planned a sequel, but a good script just wasn't coming through. Ten years passed, and with Jaden now taller than Jackie, he decided it was no longer possible.
However, after another three or four years, Sony Pictures contacted him, saying, 'We've found a great guy!' That was Ben Wong, who plays Lee Fung, the actor who will be teaching the film. Ben had some martial arts experience, but he received intensive training with Jackie Chan's action team for four months before filming began, and successfully played the role of Lee Fung.
In response to a question from a fan asking, 'Who is your greatest legend?', he named Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Akira Kurosawa, and other names, and then went on to mention older directors such as Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, and Dustin Hoffman, before answering, 'There are so many to count.'
When asked about the teachings that have influenced him, Jackie said that when he was young, action movies were not well received and he had no hope for the future. He also saw no meaning in practicing kung fu and was thinking of quitting, but the movie 'Rocky' encouraged him. He said that he has been influenced by many movies and people, and added that 'movies have an influence.'
Therefore, when he directs, he makes sure to make films that have action scenes but no cruel scenes, comedy but no dirty jokes, and that are safe for children all over the world to watch. As a filmmaker, he feels a responsibility to society when making a film, so he did his best to incorporate love, peace, unity, and environmental protection into his work.
This was Jackie's 11th time giving a stage greeting in Japan, the most ever by a Hollywood actor. Jackie admitted it was 'a lot of work,' but rejoiced his fans by saying, 'It's okay because everyone's coming.'
In 'Battle Creek Blow,' a magazine article showing his handprint taken during his visit to Japan is projected onto the screen, and Jackie praises his past self, saying, 'He's cool,' and 'He's pretty good-looking, isn't he?'
Although the exact date is unknown, it seems that handprints were also taken when he visited Japan during the Heisei era.
So this time, we decided to take the 'Reiwa handprint' with a kung fu fist. When asked, 'Who wants to take it?' everyone raised their hands.
At this point, Jackie, who had been hiding in the audience, appears and holds the form.
Jackie put his fist against the mold and pushed it in. He applied all his strength, and Jackie was being pushed back.
Once the fist mold was made, he threw it away and Jackie hurriedly caught it.
At the end of the speech, Jackie commented, 'I was able to have the strength to make this film because of the energy I received from all of you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of Jackie's fans around the world, and not just Jackie fans, but also action fans and movie lovers alike. Please go see the film in the cinema and support the film industry.' He then added in Japanese, 'Please support me. I'll do my best,' keeping the audience excited until the very end.
Jackie plays a kung fu master, and Daniel, played by Ralph Macchio, who learned karate from Mr. Miyagi in 'The Karate Kid,' also appears.The two teachings combine into one to take on a new battle, and 'The Karate Kid: Legends' is currently a huge hit in theaters.
The training footage of the film is available on YouTube.
[Training with Legends] 'The Karate Kid: Legends' main footage released in cinemas nationwide on Friday, August 29th - YouTube
◆ Information about 'The Karate Kid: Legends'
Director: Jonathan Entwistle
Screenplay: Rob Lieber
Produced by Karen Rosenfeld
Executive Producers: Jenny Hinkie, Ralph Macchio
Starring: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Ben Wong, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen
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