As a devoted fan of the Karate Kid franchise and someone who has grown up with Daniel LaRusso’s journey, I am both excited and sad about the upcoming end of Cobra Kai. The last six years have been a rollercoaster ride, watching Daniel and Johnny’s long-standing conflict unfold on screen. And it’s heartwarming to see Ralph Macchio reprising his role with such passion and dedication.
After completing its sixth season, “Cobra Kai” is winding down, yet it’s evident that the “Karate Kid” series still has a lot more to offer.
The Netflix series is set over 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, featuring the ongoing feud between Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). Reflecting on the past six years, which included a two-season run on YouTube Red followed by joining Netflix, Macchio expressed that he’ll miss collaborating with his cast and crew the most.
In the world of “The Karate Kid,” where profound friendships are forged, the actor shared with The Hollywood Reporter at the show’s premiere on Wednesday that their friendship will last a lifetime. I’ll miss collaborating with them, but I believe we’ll continue to create in different ways – it’s not a permanent goodbye, more like a see you later.
The final season of the show may be drawing to a close sooner than expected, with its three-part release imminently following. Subsequently, a fresh installment of “The Karate Kid” is slated for theaters, featuring the return of Macchio and Jackie Chan. In contrast to their previous collaboration in the 2010 remake, where Chan appeared but Macchio did not, this time they will share the screen together.
“Jackie Chan is a living legend, it was thrilling to work with him. He was fantastic during the production of our upcoming film, set for release next year. Jackie’s work ethic, compassion, and zest for cinema are truly inspiring at his age and stage in his career. I aim to emulate that energy, and we have a talented young cast joining us. Let’s see where this project takes us.”
At the debut of the last season of #CobraKai, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka appear side by side on the red carpet.
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 18, 2024
The creators of “Cobra Kai,” Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz, and Josh Heald, have held discussions with the film’s team, which includes director Jonathan Entwistle. As Heald put it, “Our ‘Cobra Kai’ series and the movie share the same universe, but think of it as a vast cosmos with numerous planets. Our show is thriving on one planet, while their movie resides on another. We’re all connected through ‘The Karate Kid,’ and we’re thrilled that there’s such a strong following for this expansive world.”
As a devoted fan, I can share that during the production process, Macchio kept us informed every step of the way. He knew that the movie we were making was set after the storyline of “Cobra Kai,” so we had previously shared with him the intended ending of the series. This information helped Macchio prepare and stay focused for his role.
Macchio, who has portrayed this role throughout much of his career, expressed his readiness to retire once he feels that the portrayal is no longer authentic. Since obtaining the role in 1983, I have aimed to convey the genuine experiences of the character. In both “Cobra Kai” and the movies, I strive to maintain this truthfulness for the character. When this authenticity fades away, I believe it will be time to retire the role.
Heald emphasized the importance of concluding the series on our own terms. We wanted to inform Sony and Netflix that we intended to wrap up the show neatly, without overstaying our welcome. We admire long-running shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” but we don’t aim for the same longevity with this series. Instead, we strive to create a well-structured and conclusive storyline, with a clear beginning, middle, and end that we have been consistently working towards.
The first half of Cobra Kai season six is currently available on Netflix for streaming. The second half will follow on November 15, while the third part is scheduled for release in 2025.
Ryan Fish contributed to this report.
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2024-07-18 22:25