The newKarate Kidmovie is all set to begin a new chapter in the overarching franchise, but it already seems to be repeating a Johnny Lawrence mistake thatCobra Kaifixed. Many conflicting details have been revealed aboutKarate Kid: Legends' timelinein the franchise, raising many questions about whether it will have anything to do withCobra Kai’s story developments. What is known is that Ralph Macchio will reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso in the movie and star alongside Jackie Chan, who will play his original character, Mr. Han, from the 2010Karate Kidfilm.
Ben Wang, of theChang Can DunkandAmerican Born Chinesefame, has also been cast to play the main lead in the film. Even though the story details for the movie are still under wraps, it is hard not to eagerly anticipate its release because it features a highly anticipatedcollaboration between Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan. However, as exciting as it may seem, the movie is circling back to aKarate Kid IImistake thatCobra Kairectified almost six years ago.
Karate Kid: Legends Not Featuring Johnny Would Repeat A Karate Kid Part II Mistake
Karate Kid Part II Made The Mistake Of Getting Rid Of Johnny Lawrence
Johnny Lawrence only briefly appears inKarate Kid Part II’s opening moments, where his storyline from the first movie gets an epilogue. It shows how Mr. Miyagi humiliates Kreese in front of his students, encouraging Johnny Lawrence and his peers to abandon their sensei for good. However, beyond this, the movie added no new depth to Lawrence’s character even though there was room for new story developments in his overarching narrative. In hindsight, it is hard not to see how this was a mistake.
Why Jackie Chan’s Karate Kid Reboot Failed
While the Karate Kid remake has its share of fans, it still couldn’t stick the landing for most audiences and critics.
Given howKarate Kid Part IIunfolds primarily in Okinawa after its opening fight sequence, the film may not have been able to accommodate Johnny Lawrence in its story. However, it could have paved the way for him to return in the series' next installment.Karate Kid Part IIIhad the perfect opportunity to continue the sagaand build its narrative around Johnny and Daniel’s rivalry. However, despite establishing Johnny Lawrence as one of the most compellingcharacters of theKarate Kidfranchise, the original movie series got rid of him a little too soon.
It makes no sense that, despite having more wins under his belt than Daniel, Johnny Lawrence suddenly became irrelevant and never tried to fight in the All-Valley again.
Even from a storytelling standpoint, this made little sense. According to the Miyagi-verse lore,Johnny Lawrence won the All-Valley tournamenttwice in a row (in 1982 and 1983) before Daniel broke his streak in 1984. It makes no sense that, despite having more wins under his belt than Daniel, Johnny Lawrence suddenly became irrelevant and never tried to fight in the All-Valley again. In the 1985 tournament, when Daniel faced Mike Barnes in the All-Valley, it would have made sense for Johnny Lawrence to be one of the competitors.
The Karate Kid Sequels Not Bringing Johnny Back Was A Mistake That Cobra Kai Fixed
Cobra Kai Proved The Franchise Needed Johnny Lawrence
While theoriginalKarate Kidmoviesabandoned Johnny and eventually struggled to keep viewers invested in their stories,Cobra Kaiunderstood that Johnny Lawrence was as important to the franchise’s success as Daniel LaRusso. Therefore, instead of treading the same path asKarate Kid IIand its follow-ups,Cobra Kaicircled back to featuring Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso’s intense rivalry. It showed how, even though decades have passed since Johnny and Daniel’s All-Valley fight, Johnny has not grown out of the shadow of his defeat.
Karate Kid: Legendswas initially scheduled to be released on July 18, 2025. However, due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, its release was delayed to August 14, 2025. To ensure it premiered afterCobra Kaiseason 6’s conclusion, its release date was eventually moved to July 29, 2025.
This creative decision worked wonders for the franchise because it not only appealed to audiences who grew up watching the firstKarate Kidmovie but also gave new viewers a glimpse of what made the original film a hit. With its roaring success on Netflix,Cobra Kaiproved that the franchise needed Johnny as much as it needed Daniel. Unfortunately, instead of learning fromCobra Kai, the newKarate Kidmovie is seemingly doing exactly what led to the originalKarate Kidmovie series' downfall.
Why William Zabka’s Johnny Is Not In Karate Kid: Legends (As Far As We Know It)
The Movie’s Character Crossover Does Not Leave Room For Johnny Lawrence’s Return
If Karate Kid: Legendswas anotherTV show likeCobra Kai, it would likely have had enough time to add more originalKarate Kidcharacters to the mix. However, since it is a movie with a limited runtime, it does not make sense for it to feature Daniel Larusso, Jackie Chan, and Johnny Lawrence. The reason being that if it makes the three characters share the screen, it could risk overcrowding the story and diluting the heft of all main character beats. Some might argue that it should have had Johnny Lawrence as one of its leads instead of Daniel LaRusso.
Aramis Knight
Unkwown
However, sinceDaniel LaRusso has always been the OG Karate Kid, it would have been strange if a movie titledKarate Kid: Legendsdid not have him as one of its primary characters. Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han is also a necessary addition to the movie’s roster because it has to do something to make itself stand out from the rest of the franchise. By featuring an unlikely and highly anticipated crossover between LaRusso and Han,Karate Kid: Legendspromises to deliver something different and not continueCobra Kai’s familiar formula.
Johnny’s Ending In Cobra Kai Could Justify His Absence From Karate Kid: Legends
Cobra Kai Might Bring a Well-Rounded Closure To Johnny Lawrence’s Arc
SinceCobra Kaiseason 6 part 2 introduces some unpredictable story developments in its ending moments, one cannot predict how the Netflix series will end. However, considering the developments inCobra Kaiseason 6’s parts 1 and 2,it seems likely that Johnny Lawrence’s narrative will reach a natural conclusion in Part 3. Although William Zabka’s character is far from redeeming himself, he has significantly changed over the course of six seasons. From being a self-centered alcoholic, he has evolved into a loving family man who understands the importance of balance.
IfCobra Kaiseason 6 ends Johnny’s journey on a high note, where he settles for a stable and fulfilling family life, the franchise may not have a lot to add to his overarching narrative.
With a newborn child, Johnny Lawrence will also have to embrace his responsibilities as a father after he returns home from Sekai Taikai. Although he still seems to struggle professionally and finds it hard to keep a job, he is on the right path toward flipping his script and finding peace after living with remorse and hatred for decades. IfCobra Kaiseason 6 ends Johnny’s journeyon a high note, where he settles for a stable and fulfilling family life, the franchise may not have a lot to add to his overarching narrative. This would justify his absence from the newKarate Kidmovie.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends is a sequel to Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The film sees Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles, continuing the legacy of martial arts mentorship and rivalry in a new era of challenges and apprentices.
