Given the success of the Cobra Kai, it’s undeniable that the TV series continuation was the right way to go when it came to rebooting The Karate Kid. After starring in all three original films in the series, former child star Ralph Macchio reprised his role as Daniel LaRusso alongside William Zabka as his former rival Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai. The series was far from the first idea for a legacy sequel to be pitched to Macchio, though it was the first one that intrigued him enough to have him sign on.
In a new interview for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Macchio spoke about some of the other ideas that have been presented to him over the years for Karate Kid reboot movies. He explained how he had always been hesitant to return to the franchise after the original trilogy and that none of the ideas that were coming in were changing his mind. As Macchio explains, one idea would have been similar to what happened in Ghostbusters: Afterlife with the late Harold Ramis returning in ghost form as his classic Ghostbusters character, Egon.
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Macchio and Kimmel joke about how that’s actually a good idea and it’s not too late to make that movie. Getting serious, Macchio says that, in a way, that’s what’s happening with Cobra Kai as the spirit of Miyagi is still there in the show, even if we don’t see Pat Morita as a ghost. Macchio then reveals his “favorite” pitch for a Karate Kid reboot that he declined, noting how two writers had approached him and director John Avildsen, who happened to direct both The Karate Kid and Rocky, with the idea of doing a crossover movie between those franchises.
For what it’s worth, Kimmel said he liked that idea too, but for Macchio, it was an idea that was too ridiculous to consider.
Cobra Kai Was the Reboot Fans Were Hoping For
Cobra Kai put a spin on the idea of a legacy sequel by putting William Zabka, an antagonist in the original film, into more of a protagonist role. The series has also brought back many stars of the different Karate Kid movies while also following new stars of the franchise. The show’s cast includes Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Mariduena, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Jacob Bertrand, Peyton List, Vanessa Rubio, and Gianna DeCenzo. Martin Kove and Thomas Ian Griffith are among the original franchise stars to join Ralph Macchio and William Zabka to reprise their roles.
The fifth season of Cobra Kai is now streaming on Netflix along with the previous four seasons of the hit sequel to The Karate Kid series.
