Summary
Cobra Kaistars William Zabka and Ralph Macchio rewatchThe Karate Kid’s stirring tournament ending match together, and it brings a lot of nostalgia. Released in 1984,Rockydirector John G. Avildsen’s other blockbuster underdog movie cast Macchio and Zabka as karate-trained antagonists, whose rivalry comes to a head in the movie’s climactic All Valley Karate Championship match. Forty years after they first tangled on the big screen, Zabka and Macchio are back for Netflix’sCobra Kaiseason 6, a super-sized season that may finally wrap up the story of Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence.
With the final season ofCobra Kaiset to hit Netflix on July 18, co-stars Zabka and Macchio sat down recently to rewatch the classic final moments of the originalKarate Kid, experiencing a wave of nostalgia as they relived Daniel and Johnny’s memorable match, including the classic “sweep the leg” line, and Daniel’s unforgettable crane kick. Jokes fly too as theCobra Kaistars react to the moment where Daniel vanquished Johnny Lawrence under the watchful eye of Pat Morita’s Miyagi. Check out the clip below (viaCobra Kai/X):
How The Karate Kid’s Final Scene Set The Stage For Cobra Kai
The Karate Kidpresents a true underdog story, casting Macchio as a teenager struggling to adjust to a new home, who wins out over the bullying kids at his school with help from Miyagi’s training in karate (though there is a popular theory holding that Daniel, and not Johnny, is the trueKarate Kidbully). InCobra Kai, roles are initially reversed as Daniel is now a successful business owner, while his old tormentor Johnny is the one grappling with a multitude of life issues.
HadCobra Kaimerely given Johnny and Daniel another chance to fight, it might have held viewers’ attention for a season or two. But the show succeeded precisely because it went deeper into the characters of Johnny and Daniel, revealing them both to be more complex than they might initially have seemed. By the time ofCobra Kaiseason 6, Johnny and Daniel have merged their karate philosophies, building a strong team upon the foundation that was set 40 years ago when they first fought inThe Karate Kid.
Cobra Kaiseason 6 is divided into three five-episode parts
It’s yet to be seen how the lastCobra Kaiseason will wrap up the long story of Daniel and Johnny (if indeed it truly represents the end of that story, given talk about a possiblenewKarate Kidmovietied in with the show), but it’s bound to be a nostalgic ride both for audiences who have been cheering the characters on for all these decades, and for the stars themselves.
The Karate Kid
Cast
Released in 1984, The Karate Kid follows the story of Daniel LaRusso on his unexpected journey to becoming a Karate expert under the tutelage of a martial arts master. Recently relocated from New Jersey to Los Angeles, Daniel and his mother are trying to adapt to their new home. Unfortunately, Daniel becomes the target of a gang of Cobra Kai dojo students. When his handyman, Mr. Miyagi, saves him with expert Karate skills, Daniel convinces him to teach him his Karate to defend himself, and put his bullies in their place.
