
The best defense is offense. It’s been almost 40 years since Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel LaRusso how paint a fence and wash cars. The Karate Kid, but Cobra Kai’s rivaling dojos are still going strong.
2018: Debut Cobra KaiThe expansion of the Karate KidFranchise through the lense of a down-and OUT Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), who was seeking redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai dojo — and subsequently reigniting his rivalry with now successful car salesman Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio).
“It was like watching an old friend come back to life,” Zabka told Discussion about FilmIn a September 2021 interview, he spoke about his experiences with playing the role of Johnny again after so many years. “It was a great feeling. … It was great because I got to dive deep into the humanity of the character. You know what else? The Karate Kid, I played this very external fighter with an attitude, and now we’re getting into the soul of who the character was. So it’s very rewarding to play that, and very fun.”
Although originally a YouTube Original, the mixed-martial arts series was moved to Netflix in 2020. The series has enjoyed huge success and critical acclaim. Season 3 won nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series (73rd Primetime Emmy Awards) and Outstanding Stunt work (73rd Primetime Emmy Awards).
“We love making this show, but we also know that it’s a comedy, a drama, and an action series. It’s a lot of things and we don’t necessarily fit into one category in the minds of some people,” cocreator Josh HeraldSubmitted DeadlineInterview conducted July 20, 211. “The concept of our show is taking the villain fromThe Karate KidThis will place him front and center and give him the opportunity to be heard. Better to call Saul treatment where you’re emotionally invested in his story. We’re really grateful to Netflix and Sony, as well as our cast and crew.”
While the action-comedy is undoubtedly a success, it was a gamble Zabka wasn’t sure he would take when the series was first pitched to him.
“My concern going in was what the tone of the show was going to be because The Karate Kid was such a family movie from the ’80s, [so] how are we going to achieve this today?” he told Page SixIn December 2021. “Also, I wanted to make sure that at the end of the show, Johnny doesn’t take the proverbial crane kick in the face and become cemented as the biggest villain of all time.”
He was assured by his creators. Cobra Kai would take a different approach to his character, Zabka couldn’t say no. “I always felt like I wasn’t finished with Johnny Lawrence. He was always stirring in me, so I was prepared for a pitch,” the New York native explained.
Macchio for his part, has returned for Cobra Kai after what he considered a “repetitive” third installment with 1994’s The Karate Kid IIIRealizing that a TV series could explore depths that the film trilogy could not, I was amazed.
“The creators find ways to take that story and let it evolve and find backstories for characters who might have been thinly written. There is an element of larger-than-life. Cobra Kai,” the actor told ColliderJanuary 2022. “The perspective of Daniel as an adult, now we are adding other stakes and elements about his own kids and students. It is remarkable that what I would call the shortcomings of the original franchise are now bearing fruit 36 years later.”
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