Sadie Stanley on Joining the Legacy of Karate Kid: Legends – Interview

Karate Kid: Legends star Sadie Stanley on Ben Wang, Jackie Chan, and found family.

In the upcoming martial arts film Karate Kid: Legends, Sadie Stanley steps into the franchise as Mia Lipani—a strong-willed and heartfelt New Yorker who quickly becomes a key figure in the life of new kid Li Fong, played by American Born Chinese star Ben Wang. The film, hitting theaters May 30, 2025, blends the legacy of Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso with a brand-new story full of heart, humor, and action.

I caught up with Stanley to talk about her experience joining one of Hollywood’s most beloved franchises, her connection with Ben Wang, and the wild reality of filming in New York City.

A Dream Cast and a Legendary Franchise

Sadie Stanley didn’t hesitate when the opportunity to join Karate Kid: Legends came knocking.

“I felt honored to be in the same room as them,” she said of working with Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, and Ming-Na Wen. “This is a franchise with a legacy that you just do not say no to. So I was ecstatic to be a part of this world and this legacy and to work alongside them. I feel like I learned so much from them and beyond that, they’re just great people and we really got along well, so I loved it.”

Finding the Right Karate Kid

Before Ben Wang was officially cast, Stanley had a front-row seat to the audition process—and it didn’t take her long to know who the next Karate Kid should be.

“Ben was one of them and he was my favorite from the jump,” she said. “They were all fantastic, wonderful. But Ben just had a certain energy and emotional presence that was just so palpable. And we really connected immediately.”

Their screen test featured a pivotal emotional scene, and it left an impression on Stanley.

“It was just really beautiful. And you could feel it in that room. It was just like a gray wall and plastic chairs. But it was like we were in the movie. So yeah, I’m so happy for Ben. He’s fantastic in this movie and he was absolutely the right choice.”

The Chaos and Charm of Filming in New York

Filming in the Big Apple came with plenty of real-life challenges—and unexpected laughs.

“Filming in any big city is definitely a challenge when you’re trying to lock off full streets. It’s nearly impossible,” Stanley shared. “You’re trying to make sure random people who are trying to go about their day aren’t in the shot. I always feel bad—like we’re in the middle of people’s commute to work. And I’m like, ‘I’m sorry, we’re just trying to make a movie here.’ But it’s really fun because you’re really in the set. It’s not fake. And it’s cool.”

Playing Mia and Embracing Found Family

Mia is more than just a friend—she’s a grounding force in Li’s life and a mirror for the characters around her. For Stanley, the role was a personal one.

“I think that’s what Mia is in this film. She’s really a grounding force for everybody and sort of a mirror for all of the other characters. She really holds space for everybody’s energy, for everybody’s growth,” she said. “She sees potential in Li before he even fully sees it in himself. And I think that’s really special when you can do that for somebody. I think that’s what I love so much about playing Mia.”

Karate Kid: Legends hits theaters nationwide on May 30, 2025.

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