Fan Casting Danielle LaRusso in The Karate Kid (1984 Genderswap)

Danielle LaRusso is a resilient and determined teenage girl navigating the challenges of being a new student in a tough California beach town. After a humiliating encounter with the local karate bullies, she discovers an unexpected mentor in Mrs. Miyagi, an elderly handy woman with a mysterious martial arts past. Beneath her initial vulnerability lies an iron will—she's willing to endure grueling training, physical pain, and social ostracism to prove herself and reclaim her dignity. Danielle transforms from an insecure outsider into a confident young woman who learns that true strength comes from discipline, respect, and inner balance rather than aggression. Her journey is as much about emotional growth and self-acceptance as it is about mastering karate.