The success ofCobra Kaiand the upcoming sequelKarate Kid: Legendshas reignitedThe Karate Kidfranchise and sparked rumors about aprequel series focused on Mr. Miyagi. The creative team behindCobra Kaihas even expressed interest in exploring Mr. Miyagi’s backstory (viaHollywood Reporter), although this would mean recasting the late Pat Morita, who powerfully portrayed this martial arts master across the film series and in archival footage inCobra Kai. While Morita’s performance would be a tough act to follow, several notable actors could pull it off.
WhileThe Karate Kidhas had some amazing characters, the Miyagiverse revolves primarily around one man: Mr. Miyagi. For this reason, a Mr. Miyagi prequel series has the potential to expand upon the lore of the franchise and address the missing gaps and lingering questions of his backstory. Audiences will know ofMr. Miyagi’s tragic circumstances, such as the death of his wife and child in a U.S. Japanese internment camp, sothe perfect Mr. Miyagi actor will have to be able to capture the humor and heartache of his life story.
8Ken Jeong
Ken Jeong could play Mr. Miyagi just before he meets Daniel LaRusso
Over the past 20 years, Ken Jeong has proven himself one of the best comedic talents working today with acclaimed roles across film and television. From the over-the-top eccentricities ofThe Hangoverfranchise to his unhinged role inCommunity,Jeong is incredibly skilled at big performancesand could imbue a Mr. Miyagi origin story with a real sense of energy. While Jeong is already a similar age to Pat Morita in the originalThe Karate Kid, a prequel set just before he came into contact with Daniel LaRusso could work very well.
AsThe Karate Kid Part IIandCobra Kaihave already given viewers a lot of insight into Mr. Miyagi’s early life, a prequel series with a focus on his time as a handyman in Reseda, California, could be interesting. Jeong would give a great performance as Mr. Miyagi encounters home burglaries in his everyday work and heroically saves the day without expecting fame or glory. This prequel could focus on the everyday heroism of Mr. Miyagi and showcase the unknown details of what informed his decision to take Daniel under his wing inThe Karate Kid.
7Steven Yeun
Steven Yeun could capture the complex appeal of Mr. Miyagi
From his breakout role as Glenn Rhee inThe Walking Deadto the dark comedy ofBeef, Steven Yeun has proved himself as an actor more than capable of capturing the essence of Mr. Miyagi’s character. With a career that’s been characterized by sheer variety, Yeun is an instantly recognizable actor who could also believably play the Miyagi-do master in a prequel series. Having showcased his survival skills in the post-apocalyptic zombified world of his AMC series, taking on new foes at the Sekai Taikai as a young Miyagi would be a breeze.
Yeun’s career has gone from strength to strength in recent years as he used his breakout success inThe Walking Deadto transition into acclaimed film and TV roles. From the critical favorite that wasMinarito his excellent voice work inInvincible, Yeun has proven he has what it takes to take on complex roles of already established characters. While it will be very hard for any actor to live up to Pat Morita’s excellent performance acrossThe Karate Kidfranchise,Yeun is one of the few actors up to the challenge.
6Ian Chen
Ian Chen has what it takes to play a teenage Mr. Miyagi
The Karate Kidfranchise has given a lot of insight into Mr. Miyagi’s life history as he left Okinawa, fought in World War II, and was left a widow after his family tragically died in an internment camp, but his teenage years still have plenty of mysteries. This is why Ian Chen would be the perfect choice to portray a young Mr. Miyagi as he trains under the guidance of his father. WhileThe Karate Kid Part IIalready explained Miyagi’s rivalry with former best friend Sato, a prequel with Chen could further explore this aspect of his upbringing.
Chen has been working as an actor since he was a small child and has quickly made a name for himself as one of the most exciting up-and-coming Asian-American actors. With his breakout role in the ABC sitcomFresh Off the Boatand his notable part as Eugene Choi in the DC Extended Universe andShazammovies, Chen has already shown he has what it takes to excel in major franchises. The role of Mr. Miyagi would be an excellent next step in his career as he continues to grow and develop as an actor.
5Randall Park
Randall Park would make an excellent Mr. Miyagi
While Randall Park may have first gained widespread recognition playing “Asian Jim,” Jim Halpert’s prank replacement of himself inThe Office, his status as a major comedy star has only grown in the years since. Park has appeared in everything fromCurb Your EnthusiasmtoWandaVisionand has the comedic talent to live up to Pat Morita‘s acclaimed legacy if cast in the role of Mr. Miyagi. As the co-writer and star of the Netflix rom-comAlways Be My Maybe, Park’s talent as a writer could also contribute to a Mr. Miyagi prequel series.
With a comedy career that’s included some of the biggest funny movies and TV shows in recent years, casting Park as Mr. Miyagi in aKarate Kidprequel feels like a no-brainer. AsJimmy Woo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Park has already shown his skills as a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent recruited by the FBI. If Park could repeat this blend of comedy and action movie stylings seen in the MCU, he just might reveal himself to the perfect young Mr. Miyagi.
4Manny Jacinto
Manny Jacinto could step into leading roles by playing Mr. Miyagi
One actor who would be a good fit for Mr. Miyagi’s prequel series would be Manny Jacinto. As a performerbest known for his role as Jason Mendoza on the NBC sitcomThe Good Place, Jacinto’s character was first introduced as a wise Taiwanese Buddhist monk who took a vow of silence. While it was soon revealed that Jason was actually an amateur DJ and drug dealer from Florida, his ability to walk the fine line between these two personalities is the ideal blend for the playfulness and wise philosophy of Mr. Miyagi.
While Jacinto has had other minor roles outside ofThe Good Place, such as inBad Times at the El RoyaleandTop Gun: Maverick, a major role in a prequel ofThe Karate Kidcould be just what his career needs.Star Warsfans will also recognize Jacinto as Qimir inThe Acolyte, so he’s no stranger to entering major franchises that have had an incredible impact on popular culture. Jacinto has been quietly carving out an acclaimed career, and the role of Mr. Miyagi would be an incredible next step for him.
3Danny Chan Kwok-kwan
Danny Chan Kwok-kwan already played a legend whose status rivals Mr. Miyagi
The Hong Kong actor and martial artist Danny Chan Kwok-kwan bears a striking resemblance to the kung fu movie legend Bruce Lee and could imbue a young Mr. Miyagi with the same kind of enigmatic presence as that esteemed star. Chan has already portrayed Lee inThe Legend of Bruce LeeTV series and theIp Manfranchise and could gain more recognition with Western audiences through a role inThe Karate Kidprequel focused on Mr. Miyagi.
While this might be a more unusual choice, Chan certainly has the martial arts skills to back up this performance. While Mr. Miyagi’s fighting philosophy was a defense-based approach that avoided violence whenever possible, he also needed to have the skills to let loose when the situation required it. As a talented fighter who has already shown the ability to capture a true martial arts legend on screen,Chan has what it takes to play Mr. Miyagi.
2Simu Liu
Simu Liu has shown the martial arts skills to play Mr. Miyagi
Simu Liu is a Canadian actor who got his start in the CBC Television sitcomKim’s Convenienceand gained widespread recognition for his role inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. As an actor capable of effortlessly blending action and comedy with martial skills to back it up, Liu would be an ideal choice for a young Mr. Miyagi. AlthoughLiu admitted he exaggerated his martial arts background to secure his spot in the MCU(viaEW), he’s proved he’s more than up to the challenge.
With appearances in everything from theTakenprequel TV series to playing one of the many Kens in theBarbiemovie, Simu has popped up in plenty of beloved franchise releases in recent years. These experiences have laid the groundwork for him to take up the role of Mr. Miyagi and give his take on a younger version of the character in aKarate Kidprequel. With an already impressive career that looks set to go from strength to strength, Liu’s next movie should be securing the part of Mr. Miyagi.
1Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang has everything needed to play Mr. Miyagi
Jimmy O. Yang is one of the funniest and most unappreciated comedy actors working today and would be the ideal choice to play Mr. Miyagi in aKarate Kidprequel. While Yang gained prominence as Jian-Yang in the HBO comedy seriesSilicon Valley, he’s popped in everything fromIt’s Always Sunny in PhiladelphiatoNew Girl. With a talent for playing laid-back and deadpan characters,Yang’s unique onscreen charisma would lend itself well to the unassuming wisdom of Mr. Miyagi.
With an ability to get big laughs from audiences while still remaining relatively contained and calm, Yang has the perfect sensibilities to capture what made Mr. Miyagi such a beloved character in the first place. As an equally talented stand-up comedian, Yang has worked hard to build up an impressive career, and now is the perfect time for him to step into the spotlight with a major role in aKarate Kidprequel. While Pat Morita’s performance will be difficult to live up to, Yang has what it takes to capture the complexities and legacy of Mr. Miyagi.
Sources:Hollywood Reporter,EW
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid is an action/martial arts drama franchise created by Robert Mark Kamen and began with the first self-titled film released in 1984. The series focuses on teenagers who are unable to fit in with their new surroundings as they deal with persistent bullies until a retired martial arts master finds them and trains them to defend themselves.
