McG’s ‘Way of the Warrior Kid’ Starring Chris Pratt Reveals First Look and Global Debut Date

(hollywoodreporter.com Feb. 3, 2026)

McG’s Way of the Warrior Kid for Apple TV will show audiences the way this November.

On Tuesday, the streamer confirmed a global release date of Nov. 20, and released first look at images from the Apple Original Films project based on the novel by Jocko Willink and starring Chris Pratt, Linda Cardellini and Jude Hill. The news dropped at Apple TV’s press day at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar, where the three stars joined Willink to pump the project.

The film is based on Willink’s novel Way of the Warrior Kid: From Wimpy to Warrior the Navy SEAL Way. It centers on Marc, who is experiencing a nightmare middle school experience. A good kid who is bullied by his classmates, he struggles with feeling like he’s behind in everything, from academics and physical education to making friends. His life changes when his Navy SEAL uncle Jake, played by Pratt, comes to spend the summer with him while recuperating from an injury. Jake devises an ambitious plan called “Operation Warrior Kid” to help Marc defend himself. In the process, Jake shows Marc what real courage is while facing down his own demons.

During Tuesday’s appearance, Willink recalled how he found himself writing the book in the first place. “I was always on the hunt for books for my kids but I couldn’t find anything that conveyed the principles that I wanted them to have, so I wrote my own books,” he said. “Luckily for me, the books were very successful.”

Pratt praised Way of the Warrior Kid as “this generation’s Karate Kid, with an inspiring message that we

can all connect to if you’ve ever felt weak or bullied or unsure of where your life is going, or in need of leadership, or in need of a mentor.” McG directed from a script by Will Staples (Without Remorse). Pratt, Cardellini and Hill star alongside Ava Torres, Levi McConaughey, Darien Sills-Evans, Carl McDowell, Parker Young and more.

Hailing from Apple and Skydance Media, Way of the Warrior Kid is produced by Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger, alongside McG and Mary Viola for Wonderland Sound, Chris Pratt for Indivisible Productions, Ben Everard for Everard Entertainment, Bruce Wayne Gillies and author Jocko Willink. Will Staples, Steven Bello and Cliff Lanning serve as executive producers.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/apple-tv-way-of-the-warrior-kid-chris-pratt-release-date-1236493392/

Why we train

 

Iconic 80s Movie ‘The Karate Kid’ to become New Musical in 2026

(theatreandtonic.co.uk)

The UK premiere production of The Karate Kid - The Musical will embark on a major UK Tour next spring, before plans for the West End and Broadway. 

Written by Robert Mark Kamen, screenwriter of the original 1984 movie, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, The Karate Kid - The Musical will open at New Wimbledon Theatre on Tuesday 28 April, before touring nationwide to Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Sheffield, Sunderland, Birmingham and Cardiff, until Saturday 1 August 2026. Further dates are to be announced.

The original Karate Kid blockbuster starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr Miyagi enjoyed spectacular box office success and wide critical acclaim, with Morita receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The movie fast became a cultural phenomenon, launching a major global franchise that has included three movie sequels, a 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan and the popular Netflix series Cobra Kai (2018 – 2025). This year saw the release of the sixth movie, Karate Kid: Legends starring Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio. THE KARATE KID - THE MUSICAL received its world premiere in St. Louis, USA in 2022, playing to sold out houses with rave reviews from audiences and critics alike.

Bringing the original, now legendary 1984 film to life on stage, this heart-felt coming of age story is reimagined through movement, music, and raw, energetic storytelling. At its heart is the powerful bond between Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi, who teaches that karate isn’t about fighting, it’s about balance, dignity, and respect. 

A Tony Award-winning design team transforms iconic cinematic moments into an emotionally charged, kinetic stage experience. Honouring the roots of the timeless story, this musical celebrates resilience, mentorship, and the quiet strength that bridges generations. Destiny is in your hands - wax on - wax off.

THE KARATE KID writer and creator Robert Mark Kamen says: “William Goldman said about Hollywood "No one knows anything." He was right. Who knew that 43 years after I wrote the original script for THE KARATE KID, we would see these very same characters acting and singing on the British stage in a story that is as fresh and universally relevant as it was four decades ago.”

https://theatreandtonic.co.uk/theatre-news/the-karate-kid-the-musical-announces-world-premiere-in-2026

Happy Karate Kid Day!

Happy Karate Kid Day, 2025!

I've been thinking a lot about the original Karate Kid today, as we all do every December 19th. What can be said that we haven't already said many times over and over, the original Karate Kid is just the greatest movie ever.

I would say it was karma today, or I was just sending out the correct vibes when I went into Walmart this morning to do some quick grocery shopping and I heard this banger being played throughout the store. 

It brought a smile to my face. 

I'll be watching the Karate Kid tonight, I hope you all do as well. 

Aonishiki defeats Hoshoryu to become Ukraine's 1st tournament winner

(english.kyodonews.net 11-23-25)

FUKUOKA - Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki clinched his maiden elite-level championship and virtually guaranteed his promotion to ozeki Sunday with a tie-breaking playoff victory over yokozuna Hoshoryu to win the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

The 21-year-old sekiwake has risen through the ranks at a record pace, is the first sumo wrestler from his country to win the Emperor's Cup, achieving the feat in just his 14th tournament.

Aonishiki forced the playoff by defeating ozeki Kotozakura and finishing the scheduled portion of the 15-day meet tied at 12-3 with Hoshoryu, who picked up a forfeit win following the injury withdrawal of fellow yokozuna and joint overnight leader Onosato (11-4).

With his title-clinching victory at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Aonishiki also stayed unbeaten in his four career matches against the 26-year-old Hoshoryu, nephew of Mongolian former yokozuna Asashoryu, including their scheduled bout the previous day.

"I'm genuinely happy," Aonishiki, whose real name is Danylo Yavhusishyn, said of the title. "It's something I've always been aiming for and I'm really happy to have achieved it."

Aonishiki is the first champion ever from Ajigawa stable, while Ukraine becomes the sixth foreign country to produce a sumo grand champion winner after the United States, Mongolia, Bulgaria, Estonia and Georgia.

"It's pure joy. I'm sure he prepared well for the day's bout despite many different pressures," said his stablemaster Ajigawa, former sekiwake Aminishiki. "He was able to show on the dohyo what we've been working on."

Had Aonishiki lost to Kotozakura (8-7), the tournament would have ended with the anticlimactic crowning of Hoshoryu as champion without the yokozuna competing on the final day.

Onosato's Nishonoseki stable earlier in the day announced that the five-time Emperor's Cup winner had dislocated his left shoulder a day before Saturday's loss to Kotozakura that left the two yokozuna and Aonishiki tied for the lead.

In his do-or-die battle with Kotozakura, Aonishiki gave up a belt grip but held firm and stayed low before toppling his much larger opponent with a sensational "uchimuso" inner thigh propping twist down.

Returning to the ring after only a brief interval, the young sekiwake kept Hoshoryu away from his belt at the initial charge and slipped behind the yokozuna to execute a rear throw down.

"This was my first playoff, so I just wanted to make sure I got it right and finish with no regret," Aonishiki said. "I'm always a little nervous but I was able to focus on my style of sumo."

The new champion was told during his victory ceremony interview that the Japan Sumo Association will discuss promoting him to ozeki at an upcoming meeting, signaling his likely elevation to the second-highest rank for January's New Year tournament.

"I'm happy," said Aonishiki, who moved to Japan in April 2022 to escape the war that is still raging in his home country. "But there's one more rank above ozeki and I'll be doing my best to get there."

Aonishiki won his first Outstanding Performance Prize as well as his third Technique Prize, tying Onosato's record of winning at least one prize in each of his first five meets in the elite makuuchi division.

For two-time Emperor's Cup winner Hoshoryu, the frustrating loss marks the second time in a row he has been denied the championship in a playoff, following his defeat to Onosato at September's Autumn tournament in Tokyo.

Onosato remained at three championships for 2025 and five for his career, but finished the year with the most wins in makuuchi. The powerhouse from Ishikawa Prefecture will miss sumo's winter regional tour but is expected to be back after a month of treatment and recovery.

In other action from the final day in Fukuoka, former ozeki Kirishima (11-4) solidified his case for promotion from No. 2 maegashira back to the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna by pushing down No. 3 maegashira Ura (8-7), securing his third Fighting Spirit Prize in the process.

Another former ozeki, veteran komusubi Takayasu, narrowly held onto his place at sanyaku by improving to 8-7 with a hard-fought win against talented No. 5 maegashira Yoshinofuji, previously known as Kusano, who finished at 9-6 and won his second Technique Prize.

No. 8 maegashira Ichiyamamoto won his second Fighting Spirit Prize after going 11-4.

https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/65480