Karate Kid: Legends Director Reveals if Jaden Smith’s Dre Is Canon

Jonathan Entwistle, the director of Karate Kid: Legends, has given a definitive answer on whether Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker exists in the Karate Kid universe. The character appeared in the 2010 movie The Karate Kid, but isn’t part of the story of the 2025 feature.

Jonathan Entwistle says Jaden Smith’s Dre still exists in Karate Kid: Legends’ universe

Entwistle confirmed that Dre Parker existed in the Karate Kid universe during a new interview with Inverse. He said, “[Dre] does exist. I think he still is. Absolutely, the character is still canon, but he’s no real reference to Li Fong. He’s no real reference to this particular chapter. It’s not to say that he’s not a reference to a chapter of Mr. Han’s story, that’s for sure.”

Notably, Smith’s Dre was the central character in 2010’s The Karate Kid. In that movie, Dre is a 12-year-old boy who moves to Beijing, China, with his mother in search of a new beginning and faces vicious bullying. One day, Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han saves Dre from his bullies and subsequently changes his life by introducing him to kung fu.

Even though Dre doesn’t appear in Karate Kid: Legends, as Entwistle stated, Mr. Han is a quintessential part of the movie. When the movie opens, he runs a prestigious kung fu school in Beijing. Eventually, he seeks out Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso, the protagonist of the first three Karate Kid movies and one of the main characters of the show Cobra Kai.

After the 2010 movie came out, there were plans for a sequel. By 2014, the project had new writers. However, it was ultimately scrapped.

On the prospect of a sequel to Karate Kid: Legends revolving around Ben Wang’s Li Fong, Entwistle told the same outlet, “I’m not sure. We’ll wait and see.” If the Karate Kid franchise continues, Smith could reprise his role in the future and potentially team up with Li.

Originally reported by Tamal Kundu on SuperHeroHype.

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