Karate Kid: Legends is full of blatant references to all kinds of characters from throughout the history of The Karate Kid, and while it may seem like Jaden Smith’s character was left out of this celebration, the film does have one major reference to him. Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker was the protagonist of 2010’s The Karate Kid remake, with him filling the role of Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso from the original The Karate Kid. Although Dre doesn’t return in Karate Kid: Legends, his legacy lives on, with Mr. Han subtly giving his former student a nod.

Karate Kid: Legends attempts to unite the three branches of The Karate Kid franchise, bringing together characters from the original series, the 2010 remake, and Cobra Kai. The cast of Karate Kid: Legends features an original character in the form of Li Fong, as well as the return of Daniel LaRusso and Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han. While it is exciting to see these characters finally come together on the big screen, some fans of 2010’s The Karate Kid were a bit disappointed, as Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker wasn’t even mentioned in the film. However, his impact on the franchise was recognized.

Karate Kid: Legends Reuses The Jacket Training Move From 2010’s The Karate Kid

Mr. Han Teaches It To All Of His Students

As it turns out, Dre Parker was referenced in Karate Kid: Legends through the return of one training move from the remake. In the original The Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel LaRusso karate through a variety of everyday movements, with the most famous of these being “wax on, wax off.” 2010’s The Karate Kid does something similar, with Mr. Han teaching Jaden Smith through another famous move: “Jacket on, jacket off.” This move became important as Dre mastered his martial art, but Dre wasn’t the only one to utilize it.

Karate Kid: Legends opens with Li Fong still in China, with him training for kung fu at a dojo. Interestingly, this dojo is run by Mr. Han, the handyman who trained Dre Parker in 2010’s The Karate Kid. In the 15 years that have pᴀssed, Mr. Han has become a successful kung fu teacher. While his demeanor has changed a lot, his teaching methods haven’t. While the film shows off the school, several of Mr. Han’s students can be seen doing the “jacket on, jacket off” move, proving that Han still finds it useful after first teaching it to Dre Parker.

The Jacket Training Sequence Subtly References Mr. Han’s History With Dre Parker

It Shows Dre’s Impact On Mr. Han

Although it is subtle, subtlety was the best approach to referencing Jaden Smith’s character. It would have felt unnatural for Mr. Han to actually say Dre’s name, as he is just one of many students that Han has taught throughout the years. Showing that Mr. Han is continuing to utilize the methods that he used to teach Dre not only references the character but also acts as a clever way of fleshing out the world. If he had said Dre’s name, it would have been a clear moment of Karate Kid: Legends winking at the camera.

Karate Kid: Legends’ Reference To Jaden Smith Is Better Than A Cameo

A Cameo Would Have Been Too Confusing

While some fans may have wanted to see Jaden Smith’s character, this approach was much better than a cameo. Throughout Cobra Kai, viewers have seen that Daniel LaRusso has continued to practice karate, so much so that he has become a teacher. This puts him and Mr. Han on the same level, meaning that Li Fong can be the main student in Karate Kid: Legends.

If Dre returned, Karate Kid: Legends would have either had to have a lot of explanation discussing how Dre became a teacher, or have Dre be someone who just practiced kung fu for a little bit. If Karate Kid: Legends chose the latter, it would have taken away from Li’s journey, with him having to share the spotlight with Jaden Smith. Plus, 2010’s The Karate Kid wasn’t received very well, meaning that it was a wise decision for Karate Kid: Legends to only bring back Mr. Han from the remake.