Karate Kid: Legends is the latest film in The Karate Kid cinematic universe, which began in 1984. It comes after the mᴀssive success of Cobra Kai, the Netflix spinoff series that re-engaged audience interest in the martial arts-based franchise. Legends is a coming-of-age story that tells the tale of kung fu prodigy Li Fong who, after moving to New York City, attracts attention from a karate champion and gets wrapped up in this world. Playing Li is American Born Chinese star Ben Wang, whose performance has received great praise.

Whereas Cobra Kai focuses on an adult Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) reigniting his rivalry with William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence, Karate Kid: Legends brings back franchise stars from multiple generations. Li is joined by Daniel LaRusso, the original trainee of Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). Li also interacts with Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who trains Dre Parker in kung fu 2010’s The Karate Kid. Despite this intergenerational karate kid reunion, Jaden Smith’s Dre does not come back for Karate Kid: Legends and there are some key reasons why.

Jaden Smith’s Dre Wouldn’t Work For Karate Kid: Legends’ Story

He Is Far Too Old Now

While Dre is still a key part of the Karate Kid franchise, there are a couple of reasons why it would not have worked to include him in the new story. The main reason is that Smith is now considerably older than he was in the previous film. 15 years have pᴀssed in real time since Mr. Han trained Dre, who was 12 years old at the time of the movie’s release. Smith himself was also 11 or 12 at the time of filming and is now an adult at 26 years old. This would position Dre as an entirely different type of character.

While Karate Kid: Legends does bring together the franchise’s characters of yesteryear, including Dre would shift the tone of the film. Both Mr. Han and Daniel can be painted as wiser, seasoned martial arts masters given their ages and/or how long they have been a part of the franchise. While Dre would have aged, he would still be in his 20s and thus bring a youthful energy to this martial arts training that may have undermined the nostalgic tone that Karate Kid: Legends maintains for the duration of the film. Li is the center of its new generation, instead.

Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker Is Still Canon For Karate Kid: Legends

The Legends Director Confirmed This

Even though he is not included in Legends, Dre is still definitively part of the Karate Kid universe. This was confirmed by director Jonathan Entwistle, who recently said to Inverse that “the character is still canon.” That said, Dre still does not have any kind of direct relation to the Karate Kid: Legends story. Entwistle explained this by saying that “he’s no real reference to this particular chapter.” He did, however, acknowledge that the character is important to Mr. Han’s own story. Check out the full explanation from Entwistle below:

He 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.

Dre’s canonization makes sense, even if he is not included in the latest film. He is somewhat of a rare case within the Karate Kid universe, as other important characters from the films have come back for at least one project. But a part of Dre’s story still lives on through the appearance of Mr. Han, as implied by Entwistle. As such, the 2010 version of The Karate Kid has not been forgotten or de-canonized.

Karate Kid: Legends Makes Li Fong Mr. Han’s Prize Student, Not Dre Parker

Li Fong Is At The Movie’s Core

Forgoing to include Dre in Karate Kid: Legends really helps put the spotlight on Li Fong. Instead of Dre, it is Li who is Mr. Han’s legendary, prized student. This allows the film to focus on the relationship between Li and Mr. Han, without diminishing Li’s talent by also highlighting one of the previous martial arts prodigies. This keeps the tone and messaging of Karate Kid: Legends consistent and ultimately improves the movie. With Dre still being a confirmed part of the canon, however, it is possible that the character could come back in a future installment.

Source: Inverse