The Karate Kid franchise was a breath of fresh air in the action genre, as it blended martial arts with themes of mentorship and underdog triumphs. This formula resonated across several generations, but with Cobra Kai, we were introduced to higher emotional stakes and a redemption arc. Karate Kid: Legends, the latest addition to the series, must embrace the themes of its predecessors.
The movie should include the nuanced storytelling that we saw in the Netflix show, along with some of its beloved characters. If Sony wants to avoid any missteps, they should absolutely include Johnny Lawrence, even if it’s just for a cameo.
William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence deserves a cameo in Karate Kid: Legends
In the classic Karate Kid movies, we saw Daniel LaRusso defeating Johnny in the most heroic fashion. Despite being injured after foul play, he knocked out William Zabka’s character with a crane kick. After that, Johnny’s sensei turned on him, and he carried the shame of that defeat for years.
He began as a one-dimensional villain in the movies, but in the series, he evolved into a deeply layered character. Johnny’s redemption arc was the emotional core of the series, and we loved to see him transform into a fan-favorite antihero. His journey challenged the black-and-white lens, through which people often judge others and proved that even the so-called “bad guys” have room for growth.
With Ralph Macchio reprising his role in Karate Kid: Legends, excluding William Zabka would be a missed opportunity. The movie could certainly leverage all the hype built around him in Cobra Kai, and a cameo would be more than perfect for the same.
What else can Karate Kid: Legends do to succeed?
After Cobra Kai, we know that fans certainly value continuity and character depth. So, apart from the inclusion of Johnny Lawrence, there are a few other things that Karate Kid: Legends could do to ensure that it succeeds. First and foremost, they need to have sharp fight scenes that are similar to what we saw in the series.
The movie needs to strike a balance between realism and spectacle so that we’re engaged throughout its runtime. Another key factor is embracing the franchise’s history, with callbacks to Mr. Miyagi, and carrying forward the tradition of mentorship. The trailer already suggests that Mr. Han and LaRusso are somehow connected as the former says, “I did not come looking for sensei Miyagi, I came looking for you.”
But most importantly, it should avoid falling into the trap of the black-and-white morality that we saw in the classic movies. By making their characters complex, the film would resonate with modern audiences, who are tired of watching good vs. evil narratives. If most of these boxes are checked, Karate Kid: Legends would be a worthy addition to the franchise.
Karate Kid: Legends will be released in theaters on May 30, 2025. You can watch Cobra Kai on Netflix.
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