What if the sprawling world of The Karate Kid franchise had another surprise up its sleeve? For years, we have wondered why Hilary Swank’s Julie Pierce never appeared in Cobra Kai.
She was amazing as the protagonist of The Next Karate Kid, so it was upsetting to see that the show brought every character, from Terry Silver to Chozen, into the picture but left out Swank. Now, with Karate Kid: Legends on the horizon, reviving her character doesn’t seem to be off the table and makes more sense than ever.
Could Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han be connected to Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid universe?
The Next Karate Kid wasn’t just a meaningless chapter in the franchise but a deep dive into Mr. Miyagi’s past. It uncovers his experiences during World War II, where he was a soldier who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Hilary Swank’s character happens to be the granddaughter of his commanding officer, Lieutenant Jack Pierce. Miyagi takes Julie under her wing and becomes her mentor by teaching her Miyagi-Do. This in-depth look at his wartime history opens up a pandora’s box of possibilities for Karate Kid: Legends.
Could Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han from the 2010 reboot have some connection to Miyagi? They both share similar stories of losing their wife and child, so perhaps they bonded on the shared pain of their tragic past. Or maybe both of them had something to do with World War II. There are several ways in which these two could be linked, and it’s yet to be seen if the movie will go down this route.
Why Hilary Swank’s return in Karate Kid: Legends makes perfect sense
According to Cobra Kai’s co-creator Jon Hurwitz, they did try to get Hilary Swank on board. He revealed the entire fiasco on a Q&A on X (formerly Twitter), and it did seem like the team tried their best to bring the actress back. Unfortunately, the Oscar-winning artist never replied, and if things had gone well, we could have had a possible cameo in the final episode.
But Julie’s return in Karate Kid: Legend seems more fitting because the movie promises to merge the world of the Karate Kid films and Cobra Kai into a single shared universe. With Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han interacting with each other, the inclusion of Julie would be a nostalgic bridge between the past and the present.
Even a short appearance from Swank could provide closure to Julie’s arc, showing how Miyagi’s legacy has continued to inspire many generations. If Mr. Han was also influenced by the beloved sensei in any way, it would be wholesome to see the three people who were once connected to him come together and share their experiences, giving a nod to the Miyagiverse.
You can watch The Next Karate Kid on Prime Video. Karate Kid: Legends will be released in theaters on May 30, 2025.
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