Joshua Jackson Joins Sony’s ‘Karate Kid’ (Exclusive)

Joshua Jackson is putting on his dogi.

In his first feature film role in almost 10 years, the actor has joined the cast of Sony Pictures’ latest installment of Karate Kid.

Ben Wang, who led the cast of Disney+ series American Born Chinese, is starring in the coming-of-age martial arts drama, which also has Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio reprising their iconic characters to continue the mythology of the original franchise. 

Plot details are being kept under the mat, but the new installment will bring the story to the East Coast and focus on a teen from from China (Wang) who finds strength and direction via martial arts and a tough but wise mentor (or two).

Details on Jackson’s role were unavailable but he is described as one of the main characters in the piece.

Jonathan Entwistle, known for the teen television dramas I’m Not Okay With This and The End of the F***ing World, is directing. Rob Lieber, whose credits include Sony’s Peter Rabbit and Disney’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, wrote the script.

Karen Rosenfelt is producing the feature which has a Dec. 13 release date.

Jackson is a go-to name in the TV game, consistently bringing to life characters that range from earnest to shady as all get out. He recently starred in the Paramount+ drama Fatal Attraction and the Peacock drama series Dr. Death, for which Jackson earned a 2022 Critics Choice Award. He appeared in HBO’s Little Fires Everywhere starring opposite Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, and co-starred in Showtime’s Emmy-winning drama The Affair.

The actor, whose early film credits include The Mighty Ducks, The Skulls and Cruel Intentions, is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content, and Hansen Jacobson.