Even for those that were not familiar with the story or characters, chances are you have heard of The Karate Kid. The 1984 drama would go on to become a cult classic and a defining film of the 80s. Showcasing a beaten and down on his luck Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) who would find a mentor in Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita).
It would be his fights with the infamous Cobra Kai dojo though that would make the movie special, winning over audiences and critics with a box office taking of $90.8m for Columbia Pictures. Now according to THR, that rivalry is set to be reignited through a television sequel, bringing LaRusso and his nemesis Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) back together again.
Good vs. Evil - Daniel vs. Johnny
Whether it be classic phrases like "wax on, wax off", "sweep the leg" or "there is no mercy in this dojo," The Karate Kid would stand as an iconic feature that pierced through popular culture to leave a lasting impact. The underdog tale would pit the heavily cynical John Kreese (Martin Kove) and his cohorts of Cobra Kai, lead by Johnny Lawrence, against LaRusso and as Lesley Goldberg reports, this will be a continuation of that feud.
"The series, set to bow in 2018, is set 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament and revolves around a down and out Johnny who, seeking redemption, reopens the infamous Cobra Kai dojo. It reignites his rivalry with a now-successful Daniel, who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi (the late Pat Morita). The half-hour comedy follows the duo addressing demons from their past and present frustrations, through (what else?) karate."
A Nostalgic Trip Broadcast on New Platform
Few would have contemplated that a follow up to The Karate Kid would be focused on the Cobra Kai, or be showcased on the Internet. But for producers Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, they explained that a collection of partners have come together to make this project a reality via a joint statement.
"Like everyone who grew up in the 1980s, the three of us are enormous fans of The Karate Kid. Cobra Kai will be a true continuation of the original films, packed with comedy, heart and thrilling fight scenes. We can't wait to reignite the LaRusso-Lawrence rivalry, and we're thankful to our partners at YouTube Red, Sony Pictures Television and Overbrook for their shared enthusiasm in making our dream project a reality."
Source: THR
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