EXCLUSIVE: Aramis Knight (Ms. Marvel) and Wyatt Oleff (Guardians of the Galaxy, It franchises) are the newest pair of additions to Sony Pictures‘ upcoming Karate Kid, starring Ben Wang in the title role.
As previously announced, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio will reprise their roles to continue the mythology of the original franchise, with Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, and Ming-Na Wen also on board for parts. Details as to the roles the newcomers will play are under wraps.
Jonathan Entwistle (The End of the F***ing World) is directing from a screenplay by Rob Lieber (Peter Rabbit), with Karen Rosenfelt (The Summer I Turned Pretty) producing.
A pop culture phenomenon spanning almost three decades, the Karate Kid films have earned $618 million globally, spurring the creation of the Emmy-nominated series Cobra Kai, which has introduced the franchise to a whole new generation around the world.
Perhaps best known for his role as the Red Dagger on Disney+’s Ms. Marvel, Knight prior to that starred on AMC’s Into the Badlands for three seasons. Notable film credits for the actor include Runt with Cameron Boyce, the thriller Billy Boy opposite Melissa Benoist, and Ender’s Game alongside Hailee Steinfeld, Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, and Asa Butterfield.
Well known for his role of Young Peter Quill in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Oleff has also been seen in the It films from New Line, and in the drama Stay Awake with Chrissy Metz and Fin Argus, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival. He led Apple’s recent crime drama series City on Fire and prior to that starred in I Am Not Okay With This for Netflix.
Knight is represented by Gersh, Ellen Meyer Management, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman. Oleff is repped by Untitled Entertainment, Gersh, and Myman Greenspan Fox.