'American Born Chinese' star Ben Wang is the next Karate Kid

According to a report, Ben Wang's fluency in Mandarin and being highly skilled in numerous forms of martial arts gave him a leg-up during the auditions. Photo: Karate Kid Movie/Instagram

American actor Ben Wang has beaten thousands of hopefuls in a global search to become the next Karate Kid.

The 24-year-old will join American actor Ralph Macchio, 62, and Hong Kong action superstar Jackie Chan, 69, in the coming-of-age martial arts film titled Karate Kid.