Ralph Macchio Hints at Karate Kid Reset, No Quick Cobra Kai Return

Ralph Macchio isn’t shutting the door on the world of The Karate Kid, but he’s also not promising anything new in the near future. While attending the 24 Hour Plays Annual Gala, Macchio made it clear that, although he and the creative team are open to new ideas, punters shouldn’t hold their breath for an immediate follow-up.

Me and the guys who write that show and other actors involved, we’re all open to communicating. But something isn’t coming tomorrow. I don’t have that secret yet. Maybe we do a few other things. And Cobra Kai never dies. Karate Kid lives forever.

After Cobra Kai wrapped up, there was plenty of chatter about possible spin-offs. Then came the release of Karate Kid: Legends, but since then, it’s been pretty quiet. So, what’s behind the hold-up, and which spin-off ideas are getting the most support from those involved?

Why the Franchise Might Need a Breather

Macchio’s recent comments show a bit of self-awareness that’s not always seen in big-name franchises. He’s admitted that perhaps things got a bit muddled with Karate Kid: Legends, suggesting it might be time to step back and rethink the approach.

Between the series and the movie with Jackie Chan, all that colliding at the same time, I just think there needs to be a reset. And then finding the perfect way to launch, because the fan base — it’s never gone away. It hasn’t gone away since 1984. But you want to service and be organic, and be true to the integrity of the characters. So that’s always a challenge once you are on the long game.

He pointed out that having the film and Cobra Kai so close together made things feel a bit crowded. Still, he reassured fans that discussions about the future are ongoing, and there’s no shortage of ideas being tossed around.

Spin-Offs and Fresh Ideas on the Table

The show’s creators, Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, have all said that spin-offs are definitely being discussed. One of the more popular ideas is a series following Hawk and Demetri at Caltech. The pair, known as the Binary Bros, had a strong run in Cobra Kai and became favourites among viewers.

Here’s a quick look at the series itself:

Title: Cobra Kai
Creators: Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Seasons/Episodes: 6 seasons, 65 episodes
Cast: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Mary Mouser, Xolo Maridueña, Martin Kove, Peyton List, Jacob Bertrand
Streaming: Netflix
IMDb: 8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% (tomatometer), 90% (audience)

Macchio himself is keen on the idea of a Mr. Miyagi origin story, which would likely strike a chord with long-time fans. After the events of the Sekai Taikai tournament, there’s plenty of room for new stories—whether it’s about the Binary Bros, Mr. Miyagi, or another character entirely.

Cobra Kai is currently available to stream on Netflix in Australia.

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