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Thread: The Karate Kid

  1. #406
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    RIP Pat E. Johnson

    Pat E. Johnson, ‘Karate Kid’ Choreographer, Trainer and Referee, Dies at 84
    An instructor at a Chuck Norris school, he left a lasting impression on his students: “It’s amazing how his teaching has stayed with me all these years,” actor William Zabka said.

    BY MIKE BARNES

    NOVEMBER 6, 2023 12:30PM

    Pat E. Johnson COURTESY OF COLLEEN MARY JOHNSON SUMMERVILLE

    Pat E. Johnson, the ninth-degree black belt and Chuck Norris contemporary who choreographed the fight scenes, trained the actors and portrayed a tournament referee in the first three Karate Kid films, has died. He was 84.

    Johnson died Sunday of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles, his niece, Colleen Mary Johnson Summerville, told The Hollywood Reporter.

    Johnson also was a stuntperson, stunt coordinator, trainer and/or fight coordinator on Buffy the Vampire Slayer; on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Mortal Kombat movies; and on other films including Enter the Dragon (1973), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991), Batman and Robin (1997) and Wild Wild West (1999).

    Johnson served as a top instructor at Norris’ karate schools in the Los Angeles area starting in the late 1960s, and his students over the years included Steve McQueen, Bob Barker and members of the Osmond family.

    For The Karate Kid (1984), Johnson told Sports Illustrated in 2018 that he trained actors Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio “separately, really hard. They would moan and ***** — they developed a relationship because they had that in common.”

    He also taught Macchio the “crane kick” that his desperate Daniel LaRusso delivers to end his All Valley tournament match with Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) in the first film’s climatic moments. He would note, however that the move is “not something that’s really legitimate or realistic.”

    Johnson then returned for the sequels in 1986 and 1989 and for the 1994 reboot, The Next Karate Kid, starring Hilary Swank.

    Born in 1939 in Niagara Falls, New York, Johnson learned Tang Soo Do, an ancient Korean form of karate, while serving as a chaplain with the U.S. Army in Korea in 1963. He said it took him just 13 months to earn his black belt.

    After the service, he competed in karate tournaments in the U.S. and met Norris at an event in Detroit. “He and I struck a really good bond at the time because we had both trained in Korea, we had both gotten our black belts in Korea,” he said in a 2016 documentary.

    “He mentioned to me one time that ‘If you should ever decide to come to California, I think we could work really well together.’ I really don’t know exactly why I did it, but one day I jumped on a Greyhound bus, came to California and said, ‘Chuck, I’m here.’”

    With Norris operating a chain of karate schools, Johnson served as his main instructor at the Sherman Oaks location (Norris had opened that spot with legendary grappler Gene LeBell). Later, he captained the actor’s black belt competition team and won an individual national karate title in 1971.

    (Johnson also is known for creating the sport’s penalty point system, designed to keep fighters safe and encourage sportsmanship.)

    He did stunts and tussled with John Saxon in Enter the Dragon, starring Bruce Lee and Norris, then worked on films including Black Belt Jones (1974), The Ultimate Warrior (1975), Norris’ Good Guys Wear Black (1978) and Curtis Hanson’s The Little Dragons (1979), where he played a karate instructor.

    In 2019, Zabka told Men’s Health magazine that the martial arts expert “built me up from nothing.”

    “I didn’t know anything about [karate] when I first started,” he said. “I was a wrestler in high school and very limber and athletic. The discipline that he gave me physically, mentally and technically was incredible; so much so, that I trained with him after the film was over. It’s amazing how his teaching has stayed with me all these years.”

    In the Sports Illustrated piece, Zabka said he “got the attitude for my character from Pat. I used his Ki-yahs. I used the way he stood with his hands in his belt.”

    Johnon also served as president of the National Tang Soo Do Congress, which was created by Norris in 1973, until it disbanded in 1979. He and Norris than led the United Fighting Arts Federation. He was inducted into the North American Sport Karate Association Hall of Fame in 1993.

    In addition to his niece, survivors include his wife of more than 50 years, Sue; sons Brett (and his wife, Leah), Garth (Lisa), Larry (Kim) and Erik; and siblings Richard and Cindy.
    The-Karate-Kid
    RIP Pat E. Johnson
    Gene Ching
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  2. #407
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    Mr. Han & Daniel San

    Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso Will Appear in New ‘Karate Kid’ Film
    The movie is set for release in December 2024 and a global casting search is underway for the title character

    BY LARISHA PAUL

    NOVEMBER 21, 2023


    Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio DANIELE VENTURELLI/GETTY IMAGES/THE RED SEA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL; BRYAN BEDDER/GETTY IMAGES/PARAMOUNT PICTURES

    A GLOBAL CASTING search is underway for the lead role in the forthcoming Karate Kid film — but the cast list has two essential roles already covered. Set for release in December 2024, the Sony Pictures film will find Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio returning to the franchise.

    Macchio appeared in the original Karate Kid film, released in 1984, in the role of 15-year-old Daniel LaRusso. He subsequently starred in the 1986 and 1989 sequels before reprising his role in the action comedy-drama series Cobra Kai in 2018.

    Chan made his debut in the Karate Kid universe in the 2010 remake. He appeared as Mr. Han in the film, which also starred a young Jaden Smith and Taraji P. Henson. The role was based on the original character of Mr. Miyagi, who was portrayed by Pat Morita in Macchio’s Karate Kid.



    Macchio and Chan made the announcement in a casting promotion on Tuesday, sharing that their coming together for the film is “big news,” but their search for the next Karate Kid is even bigger. According to Hollywood Reporter, the film will center around a teenager from China as he finds his footing on the East Coast. Rob Lieber helmed the script, and Jonathan Entwistle will direct.

    “One of the interesting things with viewing the Karate Kid film is you’re following that kid. The camera’s on his shoulder, and you’re living every frame through Danny LaRusso,” Macchio told Rolling Stone in 2020. “When I showed the film to my kids, say 15 years ago, all of a sudden I viewed that film from the perspective of Mr. Miyagi because I was looking at this kid that would not listen, and he was less interesting to me than Miyagi was. So I gained a new perspective on the same — and it is something we’re bringing.”
    I specifically asked the Cobra Kai showrunners about Jackie and they said that Mr. Han was not part of the canon.

    The-Karate-Kid
    Cobra-Kai
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
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  3. #408
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    Casting call



    I post Casting Calls here on the forum all the time and am delighted when our members apply.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
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  4. #409
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    Quote Originally Posted by GeneChing View Post

    I post Casting Calls here on the forum all the time and am delighted when our members apply.
    You would be perfect for the role and/or flashback scene. Ancient Chinese age-reversal 4x by old fox, but got to hurry and sober-up after Thanksgiving!

  5. #410
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    Dec. 13, 2024

    ‘Karate Kid’ Open Casting Call Quickly Lands 10K Submissions for Lead Role in New Film
    The entries are already piling up, just one day after Sony announced that Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio will co-star in the action franchise's latest installment.

    BY RYAN GAJEWSKI

    NOVEMBER 22, 2023 4:14PM

    Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio in 'The Karate Kid' COURTESY OF EVERETT COLLECTION

    The lucky performer who snags the starring role opposite Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio in the new Karate Kid film will have prevailed against some fierce competition.

    Just one day after the two stars announced Sony Pictures‘ open casting call to find the next Karate Kid, The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the studio has already received more than 10,000 submissions. Jonathan Entwistle is set to direct from a script by Rob Lieber, with Karen Rosenfelt producing.

    Submissions for the worldwide search have come from countries across the globe, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., India, Australia, Singapore, Finland, Sweden and South Africa.

    Chan and Macchio appeared in a video released Tuesday to announce the global search to fill the pivotal role of Li Fong in the movie that is expected to shoot from March through June of 2024. According to the website for the casting call, the team is looking for someone to portray Chinese or mixed-race Chinese in the age range of 15-17 years old.

    This smart, scrappy character is skilled in martial arts, and though he speaks fluent English, conversational Mandarin is seen as a strong plus to play the part. Previous acting experience is preferred but not necessary, and any background in martial arts, movement, gymnastics and dance is also ideal.

    The action franchise kicked off in 1984 with the release of The Karate Kid, starring Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and the late Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi. There were three sequels, two of which starred Macchio, before a 2010 remake led by Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.

    While Sony has not yet released a logline for the new film, it is set to bring Chan and Macchio together for the first time in the series. The franchise has seen a new wave of popularity with Cobra Kai, a streaming series from YouTube and Netflix that features Macchio and will soon return for a sixth and final season.

    The latest Karate Kid film is set to hit theaters Dec. 13, 2024.
    Anyone here enter? Good luck if you did.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

  6. #411
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    The Karate Kid and the True Story Behind Mr. Miyagi

    Read The Karate Kid and the True Story Behind Mr. Miyagi ~ My Latest Feature for Den of Geek

    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
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  7. #412
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    Talking about Mr. Miyagi

    I was on the Chaz & AJ Morning Show on 99.1 PLR Connecticut this morning – Listen to PODCAST – Wednesday, June 19: Heat Wave; Stuck In Overturned Porta Potty; What Went Wrong For Comedian Vince Berry’s First Date. I come in at 37:32.

    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

  8. #413
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    RIP Chad McQueen "Dutch"

    Chad McQueen, ‘Karate Kid’ Actor and Son of Film Star Steve McQueen, Dies at 63
    He died of organ failure after being injured in a fall in 2020 from which he never fully recovered, his friend tells THR.

    BY MIKE BARNES

    SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 4:08PM

    Chad McQueen AMC/COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION

    Chad McQueen, who followed his father, Steve McQueen, into acting and auto racing and portrayed the bully Dutch in the first two Karate Kid movies, has died. He was 63.

    McQueen died Wednesday of organ failure at his ranch in Palm Desert, his friend of 40 years, Arthur Barens, told The Hollywood Reporter. He had been injured in a fall in 2020 and never fully recovered.

    In a statement on Instagram, his children Chase and Madison wrote:

    “His remarkable journey as a loving father to us, along with his unwavering commitment to our mother, truly exemplified a life filled with love and dedication. His passion for racing not only highlighted his exceptional talent but also served as a way to honor his father’s legacy, a testament to the values instilled in him.

    “He passed his passion, knowledge and dedication down to us, and we will continue not only his legacy but our grandfather’s as well. As a family, we need to navigate this difficult time, and we kindly ask for privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”

    As the Cobra Kai student Dutch in The Karate Kid (1984) and The Karate Kid Part II (1986), McQueen was not shy about giving Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso a hard time. He did not return for The Karate Kid Part III (1989) or for the current Cobra Kai TV series, where it was noted that Dutch was serving time in prison.

    Chadwick Steven McQueen was born in Los Angeles on Dec. 28, 1960, and raised in Malibu. His mother was Filipino-born actress Neile Adams. His parents were married from 1956 until their 1972 divorce.

    His acting résumé also included roles in the Dick Wolf-written Skateboard (1978), Martial Law (1991), New York Cop (1993), Death Ring (1992) and Red Line (1995).

    Like his dad, McQueen was enthusiastic about auto racing and competed in various events. A crash at Daytona International Speedway in 2006 while practicing for the 24 Hours of Daytona event ended his racing career.

    His company, McQueen Racing, founded in 2010 and now run by Chase and Madison, develops high-performance cars and motorcycles.

    Steve McQueen, of course, was the star of such films as The Great Escape (1963), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), The Sand Pebbles (1966), The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), Bullitt (1968) and The Getaway (1972).

    When Chad was 19, he died in November 1980 of a heart attack after a battle with cancer at age 50. His other child, daughter Terry, died in 1998 at age 38.

    Chad’s survivors also include his mother; his second wife, Jeanie; and another son, Steven, an actor known for his work on The Vampire Diaries and the spinoff Legacies.

    A donation in his memory can be made to Boys Republic, which provides a home and support for disadvantaged children.
    I forgot he was in Martial Law.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
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