The Karate Kid is back and it has been a few months since the YouTube Red series Cobra Kai has been announced, which brings back the stars, Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso) and William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) from the original Karate Kid movie. Production is underway in Atlanta and the first photo has come. This features Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reuniting on the set. The image comes with the news that 5 more members have been announced. XoloMariduena, Mary Mouser, Courtney Henggeler, Tanner Buchanan and Ed Asner will join.
The Karate Kid sequel series is set 30 years after events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, and follows Johnny Lawrence (Zabka). He is a, “heavy drinking, short-fused antihero living in Reseda, doing odd jobs to make ends meet,” who wants redemption by reopening Cobra Kai karate dojo. It reignites his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso (Macchio), who owns a car dealership in Valley and has been struggling to maintain balance in his life. The show is about 2 men addressing their past demons and their present frustrations through karate.
Courtney Henggeler is on board to play Amanda, Daniel LaRusso’s wife and business partner who is described as, “the glue that keeps LaRusso household and dealership running”. Daniel and Amanda’s “firecracker daughter” Samantha will walk the line between the good and popular teen cliques. That all changes when he is taken under wings of Cobra Kai master, Johnny Lawrence.
The final cast member is Ed Asner, who will guest star as Sid Weinberg, Johnny’s stepfather who has been described as, “an old-school, former studio mogul, who is tired of dealing with his stepson’s failures.” Cobra Kai is written and executive produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. Together, they have conceived of the new Karate Kid storyline that picks-up years after the original movie ends. Hurwitz & Schlossberg will direct the series. James Lassiter and CaleebPinkett will executive produce for Overbrook Entertainment.
The 10-episode, half-hour series, coming to YouTube Red in 2018, reimagines one of Hollywood’s popular tales of rivalry and redemption. With more than $619 million at worldwide box office, The Karate Kid has entertained millions of fans for 3 generations. YouTube fans have kept the legend of the movies alive through clips, tributes and related content.
