Why Cobra Kai’s Daniel LaRusso Is Ready To Quit Karate Life Explained By Ralph Macchio
Summary
Daniel LaRusso actor Ralph Macchio addresses Hilary Swank’s possibleKarate Kidfranchise return inCobra Kaiseason 6. Macchio was the face of the franchise from its inception until he exited afterThe Karate Kid Part III, passing the torch off to Swank, who portrayed Mr. Miyagi’s new protégé in 1994’sThe Next Karate Kid.Cobra Kaiseason 6sees Macchio once again back in the fold as an older, but not-necessarily-wiser, Daniel, while Swank has yet to make her debut on the popular Netflix series, which just dropped its latest batch of episodes.
Time is indeed running out for Swank to join her fellowKarate Kidfranchise stars onCobra Kai, and Macchio, for his part, isn’t letting the cat out of the bag on whether hisKarate Kidsuccessor will be following him to the Netflix series. However, the star is willing to tease some upcoming character returns while shying away from offering specifics. Check out his remarks below, from an interview withEntertainment Tonight:
I can’t mention names, but there might be one or two. Or there are some [people] that have shown up in a smaller capacity that I would like to see in a larger capacity. … Who doesn’t [want to see Swank on the show], you know? And that’s the one piece that would be interesting, you know?
Julie Pierce Is A Big Part Of Mr. Miyagi’s Legacy
Movie audiences were introduced to the character of Mr. Miyagi through the first threeKarate Kidmovies, as he took on Daniel LaRusso as his student, teaching him balance as well as karate. But Miyagi’s legacy isn’t only about his time teaching Daniel. Miyagi’s backstory is indeed quite rich, and has been addressed from time-to-time inCobra Kai. Miyagi’s time after Daniel is also part of his story, and that story includes the events ofThe Next Karate Kid, when Julie Pierce became his new protégé.
Who Is Cobra Kai Season 6’s Big Karate Kid Cameo If It’s Not Hilary Swank? Next Best Options Explained
Hilary Swank has indicated that Julie Pierce isn’t coming back, making another Karate Kid character the top candidate for Cobra Kai season 6’s cameo.
Cobra Kaimay be under no obligation to include the character of Julie, as the show is centered on Daniel and Johnny, and characters who are important to their particular journeys. That being said, the show has made a big deal about honoring the legacy of Miyagi, and if it’s serious about following through on that idea, it should at least address the student he took on after Daniel left his life.
Cobra Kaiseason 6 is divided into three parts, each with five episodes.
Though there are plenty of in-world reasons to add Julie to the roster ofKarate Kidfranchise characters who’ve appeared inCobra Kai, real-world considerations play a part as well. It could be that Swank has no interest in revisiting herNext Karate Kidcharacter, and turned down the chance to take a bow on Netflix. It could also be that the show’s producers have no interest in revisiting Julie, a character who is not important to Daniel and Johnny, despite her significance to theMiyagi-verseoverall. Perhaps Swank will make a surprise appearance at some point in the remaining episodes ofCobra Kaiseason 6.
Cobra Kaiseason 6 part 2 premieres on Netflix on November 15.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
