Not only does it feature Ralph Macchio in a co-starring role,Karate Kid: Legendsis set to feature another major element from Cobra Kai. AsCobra Kaiwas so popular, it is not surprising that its success may have influenced the upcoming movie, and it has been confirmed thatKarate Kid: Legendswill indeed have a connection toCobra Kai. Whilethe plot forKarate Kid: Legendshas been kept under wraps, it’s no secret that it will focus on a teen from China who moves to the East Coast and learns martial arts.
InThe Karate Kidfranchise timeline,Karate Kid: Legendsis set afterCobra Kai,in which Daniel LaRusso learned to work together as a sensei with his formerKarate Kidnemesis, Johnny Lawrence. Macchio will reprise his role as Daniel, and while it has not yet been confirmed if William Zabka will also return as Johnny, theirCobra Kaiconflict and character arc may influence Daniel inKarate Kid: Legends.The upcoming moviewill also feature two senseis working together, which was a central aspect toCobra Kai,but new for aKarate Kidmovie.
Karate Kid: Legends Is Bringing Together Two Sensei With Different Styles
Before Cobra Kai, The Karate Kid Franchise Sensei Worked Against Each Other
The Karate Kidremake follows the originalKarate Kidmovie’s plot, but sensei Mr. Han (played by martial arts legend Jackie Chan) teaches kung fu, not karate. Han’s evasive fighting style forces his opponents to destroy themselves through exertion, rather than landing many strikes and kicks. On the other hand, Daniel teaches Miyagi-Do karate to his students, focusing on defensive movements like strikes as Mr Miyagi taught him.Chan will also reprise his role inKarate Kid: Legends, allowing the two characters to team up as senseis, albeit though very different styles.
Live-action Karate Kid Franchise Movies And TV Shows In Release Order
1984
90%
1986
47%
1989
15%
1994
7%
2020
66%
2018
92%
2025
Mr. Han / Daniel LaRusso
-
Although theKarate Kidmovies have featured other senseiaside from Mr. Miyagi and Mr. Han, they are generally antagonists, contributing to the movies' major conflicts. InThe Karate Kid,Johnny’s bullying manner is taught by his sensei, John Kreese, who appears as an antagonist throughout the first threeKarate Kidmovies. This familiar plot ensured audiences supported one sensei over another, but this was challenged inCobra Kaias it painted a previous antagonist more sympathetically.Cobra Kai’sfocus on Johnny and Daniel’s character development through their conflict made the series stand out in theKarate Kidfranchise.
Daniel And Johnny’s Different Karate Philosophies Set The Tone For Cobra Kai
The Dynamic Between The Two Sensei Is The Best Thing About Cobra Kai
InCobra Kai, Johnny teaches Tang Soo Do- a more aggressive subset of karate - and has a very different philosophy to Daniel, prioritizing “no mercy” over Daniel’s more peaceful approach. When the two sensei combined their dojos, the results were disastrous, but each approach had its merit.Cobra Kaiwas often about problem-solving rather than just fighting, and Daniel and Johnny’s understanding that they could learn from each other developed their characters throughout the series.This theme of self-improvement definesCobra Kaiand is central to theKarate Kidmovies, and karate.
Johnny’s story will affectKarate Kid: Legendseven if Zabka does not return.
BeforeCobra Kai, the dynamic between theKarate Kidmovies' sensei was a relatively simple “good guy vs bad guy” story.Cobra Kai’s new dynamic gave audiences something different while staying true toThe Karate Kid’s original messages of respect and personal development. This evolving relationship between Daniel and Johnny was the best thing aboutCobra Kai, andDaniel’s experience learning from Johnny was key to his character development. This means thatJohnny’s story will affectKarate Kid: Legendseven if Zabka does not return, asKarate Kid: Legendsis set afterCobra Kai.
How Daniel LaRusso And Mr. Han’s Dynamic Will Be Different From Cobra Kai
A Fight Scene Between The Two Martial Arts Movie Icons Is Possible
As Mr. Han played a similar role to Mr. Miyagi in 2010’sThe Karate Kid,his teaching philosophy will probably remain peaceful, which is a similar approach to Daniel’s. As Daniel has some contempt for more aggressive teaching styles,Daniel and Mr. Han are more likely to get along inKarate Kid: Legendsthan Daniel and Johnny did inCobra Kai. However, they are strangers teaching different martial arts, so their relationship could take any form, including conflict. It is not yet confirmed whereDaniel and Mr. Han will meet inKarate Kid: Legends, but a tournament seems likely.
This Karate Kid Remake Detail Opens The Door For A Surprising Mr. Han Twist In The 2025 Sequel
Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han from 2010’s The Karate Kid is confirmed to return in 2025, but his character’s role could be unexpected given his age.
With Jackie Chan already a martial arts icon and Macchio as the face ofThe Karate Kidfranchise, a fight between their characters has the potential to be an epic moment for the movie.As the sensei teach different martial arts, the chance of the two fighting each other in a tournament is less likely, but they could spar while demonstrating techniques to their students.The two-sensei dynamic was the best part ofCobra Kai, and asKarate Kid: Legendsis bringing it back, this is exciting new ground for theKarate Kidfranchise.
Karate Kid: Legends
Cast
Karate Kid: Legends is a sequel to Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The film sees Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles, continuing the legacy of martial arts mentorship and rivalry in a new era of challenges and apprentices.
