With a subtle detail, the Karate Kid: Legends trailer may have just confirmed that the new film ignores Cobra Kai. Putting the original underdog, Daniel LaRusso, and Mr. Han in charge, Karate Kid: Legends brings together key characters from the franchise, even though they come from two opposing universes. Leaving Cobra Kai'success, and with Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles, it was assumed that Karate Kid: Legends would establish links between all Karate Kid remakes and spin-offs.
Although director Jonathan Entwistle teased that Chan's character in Karate Kid: Legends has deeper connections to Miyagi, so far nothing indicates that the film accepts the events in Cobra Kai. Even though he starred in six seasons of the Netflix hit, Ralph Macchio's best arc belongs to Karate Kid Moviesand the next film could easily ignore his journey in the series. This would obviously be a huge risk, considering Cobra KaiThe fanbase's huge investment in developing LaRusso's character in the spin-off. However, the Karate Kid: Legends trailer seems to suggest Cobra Kai never happened.
Miyagi-do dojo in Karate Kid: Legends looks nothing like Cobra Kai
Karate Kid: Legends hints at an alternate future for Daniel LaRusso
THE Karate Kid: Legends The trailer has caused a stir among die-hard fans, presuming an action-packed sequel that builds on the original in the best way possible. As both Cobra KaiSeason 6 and the Legacy sequel were in production simultaneously, hopes were that the 2025 film would be a direct continuation of the hit Netflix series finale. On top of Daniel LaRusso Cobra Kai family being notably absent from the trailer, another detail suggests that Karate Kid: Legends is ignoring the series to reimagine a future for Daniel this might be more in line with the films.
27 seconds of trailer, the image shows the dojo from Miyagi-Do, although it looks nothing like the location in the Netflix series. Instead, the location appears to be an exact replica of Miyagi's house in the 1984 film. Karate Kid: Legends timeline implies that three years have passed since Cobra KaiBy the end of, the weathered exterior of Miyagi's house looks like it hasn't been touched since the 80s, let alone used as a dojo. Perhaps the film and the series just used different scenarios, however, this does not explain the great lack of connections between the two projects.
What we know about Karate Kid: the legends' connection to Cobra Kai
Macchio said Cobra Kai's ending will lead to Karate Kid: Legends
So far the strongest connections established between the new legacy sequel and Cobra Kai come from Ralph Macchio, who has obviously been a key part of starting, finishing and then reviving the Karate Kid franchise. Chatting with Varietythe actor mentioned that it was important that Cobra Kai'The ending gave rise to the film and confirmed the three-year difference between the two. Notably, Macchio vaguely pointed out that “they are separate ecosystems”, opening up the possibility that Karate Kid: Legends will present a different universe, perhaps one that embraces the year 2010 Karate Kid remake being so similar to the original.
Taking into consideration the combined (and canonical) legacy of Mr. Karate Kid: Legendconnections with Cobra Kai has become harder to find, especially when considering that Daniel's arc in the series foreshadows his retirement from karate. The director's latest comments, however, offer some hope that both projects are at least set in the same universe. Talking to Weekly entertainmentEntwistle said he is “had some really detailed conversations with the Cobra Kai team about cool things that [they] I can do it on film and… make everything look holistic.”
Karate Kid: legends ignoring Cobra Kai would be a big mistake
Daniel LaRusso's Cobra Kai arc is important and could inform the sequel
Dodging from Cobra Kai'With an anti-hero cast and protagonists, Entwistle's film puts Li Fong (Ben Wang) at the center, proposing him as the new official Karate Kid and the main hero going forward. The young character's similarities to Daniel LaRusso are strong, as he has just moved to a new city with his mother, and has been dealing with some bullies. While it makes sense for the sequel to adopt a story more similar to the original's themes and protagonist, ignoring Cobra Kai would detract from a significant story in Daniel's arc that fans of the franchise accepted.
Karate Kid: Legends recognizing the impact Cobra KaiThe final season could offer a rich final redemption for Macchio's character. Cobra KaiMiyagi's emphasis on Miyagi's darker past foreshadows a change for LaRusso that could extend into the sequel. The deteriorated exterior of Miyagi's house may cause Daniel to become lost after the Sekai Taikai, and Karate Kid: Legends I got to see him make peace with both sides of his mentor. The disparity between locations may also just respond to the film's focus on the New York sets. and have nothing to do with Cobra Kai not being canonical.
Sources: Variety, Weekly entertainment