Although no release date has been set for season three of The Karate Kid revival series Cobra Kai, it won’t be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Karate Kid hit theaters in 1984 to critical and commercial success. It even earned Pat Morita an Academy Award nomination for his role as mentor Mr. Miyagi. Three sequels followed in 1986, 1989 and in 1994. The film was also remade in 2010 with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan in leading roles
The Cobra Kai series takes place more than three decades after the first Karate Kid film and depicts notorious villain Johnny Lawrence reopening the once popular karate dojo of the same name. Seen through Lawrence’s perspective, the series follows his attempt to recapture his past and help a bullied kid. Along the way, he rekindles his old rivalry with Daniel LaRusso. Lawrence and LaRusso are played by William Zabka and Ralph Macchio — the actors from the original film. The series launched on YouTube Red (now YouTube Premium) in 2018 but was acquired by Netflix earlier this year. Cobra Kai seasons 1 and 2 are set to release on the streaming site on August 28.
Per CBR, Cobra Kai co-creator and executive producer Josh Heald has confirmed production on season 3 was completed months ago. This includes principal photography, which wrapped up before the end of last year. Heald also revealed post-production was finalized just as the coronavirus reached the United States. The Cobra Kai season 3 crew was even able to celebrate prior to the entertainment industry shutting down:
We were still doing some finishing touches for the effects and some quality checks on season 3 while the quarantine aspect of the pandemic was just beginning but we finished our final mix—the last big piece of post-production—that was done in-person with raising champagne and eating cupcakes and all the things you do to feel like you're at your absolute unhealthiest coming out of the completion of a season. So, there were no major delays in terms of COVID.
Heald also noted the long break between seasons 2 and 3 will give some leeway to the series arriving on Netflix and allow first-time viewers to watch the show before announcing the official season 3 premiere date. This makes sense, as many shows see a spike in viewership when moving to the streaming platform. Hopefully, that's what happens with Cobra Kai as well. It also helps new viewers will be able to watch the show knowing season 3 is already on the way.
Lawrence versus LaRusso became one of the iconic high school movie rivalries of the 1980s, and The Karate Kid’s television reprisal has unquestionably rejuvenated the film franchise. Younger viewers who haven’t seen the original movie would benefit from watching it before diving into the series for background context. Regardless of when season 3 is released, it’s likely Heald’s goal of Cobra Kai reaching a larger audience via Netflix will be achieved soon.
Source: CBR