Cobra Kai Star Reveals Mike Barnes Is Trying to ‘Make Things Right’

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Cobra Kai Star Reveals Mike Barnes Is Trying to 'Make Things Right'

Summary

  • Sean Kanan reveals that Mike Barnes is still trying to “make things right” in
    Cobra Kai
    Season 6 as he helps train Miyagi-Do for the upcoming Sekai Taikai.
  • After terrorizing Daniel LaRusso as a teenager, Mike Barnes first shows up in Season 5 of
    Cobra Kai
    and ends up mending fences with his former All Valley Tournament opponent.
  • In the Season 5 finale, Daniel LaRusso, Mike Barnes, Johnny Lawrence and Chozen Toguchi’s camaraderie clearly comes through on-screen, and those four actors also share a special friendship away from the set.

As a huge fan of The Karate Kid franchise, seeing Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan) return to our screens in Cobra Kai was a thrilling moment. In the early ’90s, Mike Barnes was portrayed as a one-dimensional villain in The Karate Kid III. But Cobra Kai gives us a chance to see him as a complex character with a backstory that makes sense.

Witnessing Sean Kanan’s Mike Barnes arrive at Terry Silver’s grand mansion, accompanied by Johnny Lawrence and Chozen Toguchi in the final episode of Cobra Kai’s fifth season, left fans of The Karate Kid series in awe. Initially portrayed as a flat-out antagonist in The Karate Kid Part III (1989), Barnes underwent a transformation and gained a chance for redemption through his cameos on the Netflix show. In an interview with TV Insider, Kanan shared that Mike’s intentions remain focused on setting things right.

As someone who has always enjoyed watching The Karate Kid series, I was pleasantly surprised by the transformation of Terry Silver’s character in The Karate Kid III. In previous installments, he came across as a one-dimensional thug, but in this movie, we get to see a more complex side of him.

I was thrilled to win a Daytime Emmy Award in 2021 for my role in creating the show “Studio City.” In it, I portrayed Sam Stevens, an aging soap opera actor who played Dr. Pierce Hartley. Though many fans may know me best from my long-running stint as Deacon Sharpe on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” I’m now excited to reprise my talents and help Mike Barnes get Miyagi-Do ready for our most challenging competition yet. During a recent interview, I shared my excitement about this new opportunity.

Based on my understanding of the situation and having closely followed Barnes’ character development throughout the series, I believe he has undergone a significant transformation. His realization that he too was manipulated by Terry Silver, just like many others, has prompted him to reconsider his past actions. The revelation of Terry Silver’s deceit must have left a profound impact on Barnes, making him want to make amends for any wrongdoings. This shift in perspective is a testament to the complexities of human nature and the capacity for growth and change, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Sean Kanan’s On-Screen & Real-Life Cobra Kai Friendships

Cobra Kai Star Reveals Mike Barnes Is Trying to 'Make Things Right'Cobra Kai Star Reveals Mike Barnes Is Trying to 'Make Things Right'Cobra Kai Star Reveals Mike Barnes Is Trying to 'Make Things Right'Cobra Kai Star Reveals Mike Barnes Is Trying to 'Make Things Right'

Mike Barnes is determined in “Cobra Kai” Season 6, as shown after settling a few matters for Johnny (Zabka) following their encounter in the Season 5 finale. Once Mike regained consciousness, he and Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) said their goodbyes, with Chozen (Okumoto) being assisted into an ambulance. This amicable separation concluded a tale where the four men formed a deep connection. In actuality, this bond continues off-screen as well. In an interview, Kanan discusses his genuine friendship with Macchio, Zabka, and Okumoto.

“He finds himself in this unlikely friendship with Daniel and Johnny Lawrence and Chozen.
First of all,
I’ve known Billy [Zabka] since 1987.
I was doing a TV show called Werewolf for Fox. I was the guest star and John J. York [who plays Mac Scorpio] from General Hospital was the star of the show.
The other guest star on the show was Billy Zabka’s best friend.

So, Billy showed up on set and hung out for a day and I got to know him,
and I was like, ‘Oh, my God, this is great. This is Johnny Lawrence.’
I had just seen the Karate Kid movies a couple of years before in the theater,
having no idea that within a year, I was going to be not only a part of the Karate Kid franchise, but I would be a member of the Cobra Kai family.
I mean, it was just crazy.”

It’s exciting for fans of the Miyagiverse to see characters from “The Karate Kid” films appear in “Cobra Kai.” However, what makes this even more captivating is how Daniel reconciles with his main adversaries from the initial three movies – Johnny, Chozen, and Mike. The showrunners add an extra layer of enjoyment for devoted fans by portraying these four men forming friendships in their adult years. During an interview with TV Insider, Kanan added: [The text below is quoted directly.]

In Season 6, it was a pleasure to reunite with Ralph, Yuki, and Billy at work once more. I have a long-standing friendship with Yuji. He’s an exceptional individual.

We get along marvelously with Billy, and Ralph is truly admirable. It’s a joy to have reconnected with them as grown-ups. Our shared experiences and current circumstances bring us closer together than before.

Cobra Kai
Season 6 — Part 1 drops Thursday, July 18 exclusively on
Netflix.

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2024-07-15 19:31