The Karate Kid star Ralph Macchio explains how Cobra Kai honors the iconic character Mr. Miyagi and his legacy in the film franchise. Cobra Kai season 4 was released on New Year's Day and gifted fans with the thrilling continuation of the gripping season 3 ending. Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) put their differences aside and team up to face John Kreese's (Martin Kove) new Cobra Kai. LaRusso isn't the only sensei to gain a partner, however, as season 4 also revealed the return of The Karate Kid Part III villain Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), making Cobra Kai a stronger force than usual.
Cobra Kai season 4 has proved a flying success so far, receiving an impressive Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 92%. Its twist ending shocked the loyal fan base as it was revealed that Terry Silver was the real antagonist, rather than John Kreese, eventually framing his partner for physically assaulting Stingray (Paul Walter Hauser). Fans are excited for what the show has to offer in season 5, with the ending of the current season also revealing that LaRusso called for back-up in the name of former rival Chozen Toguchi (Yuji Okumoto) to help defeat the new Cobra Kai, now led by the sadistic Silver.
In a recent interview with THR, Macchio spoke about Cobra Kai season 4, including how the show honored Mr. Miyagi, who was portrayed by the late Pat Morita. Mr. Miyagi has been a cultural icon ever since appearing on screen for the first time in 1984's The Karate Kid. Macchio also revealed that he still stays connected to Morita's family, showing how their off-screen friendship is as tightly bonded as their on-screen one. Read his full comments below:
"[Balance] as well as bullying and a fish-out-of-water overcoming obstacles... are ingrained into the Karate Kid Miyagi-verse, as we call it. And it is those elements of the Cobra Kai series that are the foundation that allows it to find its own voice and tone. For me, on the first day that I heard the concept from the creators of the show, that was something that was so important to me, to have [Mr. Miyagi] woven throughout the series. It is paying great respect to the character and homage to our partnership and that magic that we shared, that special connection. He would have loved all this. And I speak to his daughters on occasion and stay connected in that way. I didn’t have to fight to have Miyagi in the show, the creators were all over it. But it is something we work at together to inform the next generation, to inform the story to the young cast and young audience who are embracing the show and watching it with their parents and grandparents. It is great to share the legacy of the Miyagi character and how he still speaks today. We feel that spirit on the set."
Macchio also opened up about his thoughts on Karate Kid 3 movie, re-hashing his initial disappointment in the movie, but adding that the film's story eventually perfectly fit with Cobra Kai; especially with the return of Terry Silver. Macchio explained that he felt Karate Kid 3's story "was only repeating itself" and was "not a smooth ride." But he praises the Cobra Kai creators for taking its core narrative and building on the characters in a compelling and fun way, including both Silver and the ever-present force of Mr. Miyagi. The Vietnam war veteran Silver has been a very intimidating villain since his return, initially entering his former dojo with pacifistic intentions before turning out to be as sadistic as Kreese.
Cobra Kai has been widely praised for being able to handle a reboot of a big movie franchise and turn it into an exciting and gripping television Karate Kid spinoff series. Of course, much of the show's success should be credited to the way that both the cast and crew have handled and respected the long legacy of the Karate Kid franchise. As Macchio himself says, Mr. Miyagi's "spirit" can be felt throughout Cobra Kai seasons 1 to 4, and will no doubt continue to be a vital element of the series as it moves into season 5 and beyond.
Source: THR