KARATE KID: LEGENDS
Karate Kid: Legends is a 2025 American martial arts drama film directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Rob Lieber. It is the sixth film in The Karate Kid franchise, following the 2010 film of the same name, and is set after the events of the television series Cobra Kai (2018–2025). [3]It stars Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, both reprising their roles from the franchise, while introducing Ben Wang as the main lead alongside Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, and Ming-Na Wen. It is the first film in the series not to be produced by Jerry Weintraub, who died in 2015.[4][5] It is also the first PG-13-rated entry in the Karate Kid film series.
The film was confirmed to be developed in September 2022, with Entwistle set to direct and Lieber set to write the screenplay in November 2023. It serves as a continuation of the franchise’s original films, Cobra Kai, which starred Macchio, and the 2010 film starring Chan, merging them in a single shared universe. [6]Casting took place from November 2023 to April 2024. Filming took place from April to June 2024.
Produced by Columbia Pictures and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, Karate Kid: Legends premiered in Mexico City on May 8, 2025, and is scheduled to be released in the United States and Canada on May 30.
Plot
Mr. Han is the revered shifu (master) of a large wuguan (kung fu school) in Beijing, China, with many young students learning his ancient way of kung fu. Among them is Li Fong, a quiet teenager living in the wuguan and hiding from his mother, a doctor who soon arrives to bring him back. She accepts a job position in New York City and makes Li promise to give up martial arts and violence before they leave China, after Li’s brother was stabbed to death by his defeated rival.
Li struggles to adjust and is unable to make friends at school. He meets Mia Lipani, the daughter of Victor Lipani, a former boxer turned traditional Italian pizzeria owner. Li and Mia develop a romantic relationship, but they are confronted by Connor Day, Mia’s aggressive ex-boyfriend and champion fighter at a local dojo known for its underground-style karate competitions. Connor violently beats Li, prompting his mother to assign him a tutor named Alan, whom Li befriends.
Li eventually clashes again with Connor. Though he defends himself, Connor is a stronger fighter. Li attempts to use a flying kick he once learned from his older brother, but Connor counters it, exploiting Li’s vulnerability mid-air and defeating him.
One night, Li witnesses Victor being attacked by thugs sent by his creditor, O’Shea, who also happens to own Connor’s dojo and is a karate sensei. Forced to intervene, Li defeats the attackers. Grateful, Victor confides in Li that he once boxed professionally and is planning a comeback to pay off his debt and save the pizzeria, and he asks Li to train him. Though hesitant initially, Li agrees, believing he will not be fighting himself. Li later becomes Victor’s employee in his pizzeria.
Cast
- Jackie Chan as Mr. Han, a revered shifu of a wuguan in Beijing, where Li Fong trains before leaving China with his mother for New York
- Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, the Miyagi-do karate sensei who teaches Li the ways of Miyagi karate.
- Ben Wang as Li Fong, a young Chinese boy mentored by Mr. Han who leaves Beijing with his mother to start a new life in New York
- Joshua Jackson as Victor Lipani, Mia’s father, who is a former boxer turned pizzeria owner where Li works
- Sadie Stanley as Mia Lipani, Victor’s daughter, who is a love interest to both Li and Connor
- Ming-Na Wen as Dr. Fong, Li’s mother, who is reluctant to her son’s martial arts practice
- Aramis Knight as Connor Day, a karate prodigy and Li’s rival
- Wyatt Oleff as Alan, Li’s tutor and friend, who lends him his rooftop garden with pet pigeons as a training ground
- Shaunette Renée Wilson as Ms. Morgan, a schoolteacher in New York, where Li attends as a new student
Additionally, Jennifer-Lyn Christie has been cast in an undisclosed role. William Zabka reprises his role as Johnny Lawrence from previous media in the franchise.
___________________________________________________________________________
THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
The Phoenician Scheme is a 2025 espionage black comedy film produced, written, and directed by Wes Anderson from a story he conceived with Roman Coppola. [2]The film features an ensemble cast that includes Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, and Hope Davis. An international co-production between the United States and Germany, it was produced by Anderson’s company, American Empirical Pictures, and Steven Rales’s company, Indian Paintbrush.
Anderson talked about the film in June 2023 while promoting Asteroid City; he said it had already been written before the 2023 WGA strike began. That September, he revealed that del Toro and Cera were planned to join the cast, and he hoped to begin filming soon after the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike ended. The rest of the cast signed on between January and June 2024. Filming occurred at Babelsberg Studio in Germany, between March and June 2024, with cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel. Frequent Anderson collaborator Alexandre Desplat returned to compose the score.
The Phoenician Scheme had its world premiere in the main competition of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2025 [3]. It will be released theatrically in the United States by Focus Features on May 30 and in Germany by Universal Pictures on June 29, 2025. The film received generally positive reviews.
Premise
Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.
Cast
- Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda
- Mia Threapleton as Sister Liesl
- Michael Cera as Bjørn Lund
- Riz Ahmed as Prince Farouk
- Tom Hanks as Leland
- Bryan Cranston as Reagan
- Mathieu Amalric as Marseille Bob
- Richard Ayoade as Sergio
- Jeffrey Wright as Marty
- Scarlett Johansson as Cousin Hilda
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Uncle Nubar
- Rupert Friend as Excaliber
- Hope Davis as Mother Superior
- Bill Murray as God
- Charlotte Gainsbourg as 1st Wife
- Willem Dafoe as Knave
- F. Murray Abraham as Prophet[4]
- Alex Jennings as Broadcloth
- Jason Watkins as Notary
- Tonio Arango as Assassin #1 (Desert)
- Aysha Joy Samuel as Radical Freedom Militia Corps
- Mohamed Chahrour as Marseille Bob’s Bodyguard
- Imke Büchel as Governess
- Anna Bardorf as Governess
- Imad Mardnli as Farouk’s Bodyguard
- Jaime Ferkic as Chauffeur
___________________________________________________________________________
BRING HER BACK
BRING HER BACK
Bring Her Back is an upcoming Australian supernatural horror film directed by Danny and Michael Philippou and written by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman. Produced by Causeway Films and RackaRacka, in association with Salmira Productions and South Australia Film Corporation,[4] the film stars Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, and Sally Hawkins.
It will be theatrically released by Sony Pictures Releasing International‘s Stage 6 Films in Australia on 29 May 2025.
Plot
A brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother.
Cast
- Billy Barratt as Andy
- Sally Hawkins as Laura
- Sora Wong as Piper
- Jonah Wren Phillips as Oliver
- Sally-Anne Upton as Wendy
- Stephen Phillips as Phil
- Mischa Heywood as Cathy
- Liam Damons
- Olga Miller as Macia
___________________________________________________________________________
TO LIVE AND DIE AND LIVE
TO LIVE AND DIE AND LIVE
To Live and Die and Live is a 2023 American drama film written and directed by Qasim Basir. It stars Amin Joseph.
The film premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2023, and was released theatrically in the United States on May 16, 2025.
Plot
TO LIVE AND DIE AND LIVE follows a film director who returns to Detroit to bury his stepfather and settle his accounts, but his struggles with addiction and loss may finish him before he finishes the task. As old and new relationships unfold, he’s forced to confront the emotional and psychological toll of his past and the dark side of his city’s vibrant, gritty landscape.
Cast
- Amin Joseph as Muhammad Abdullah
- Skye P. Marshall as Asia
- Omari Hardwick as Kevin
- Cory Hardrict as Akil
- Maryam Basir as Iman
- Dana Gourrier as Lisa
- Travina Springer as Raina
- Ismail Abdul-Aziz as Yusuf
- Jeryl Prescott as Ummi, Mother
- Roger Guenveur Smith as Reed Jennings
___________________________________________________________________________
5/27/2025 #KarateKid:Legends #ThePhoenicianScheme #BringHerBack #ToLiveandDieandLive