Ralph Macchio says there have been discussions about the future of the Karate Kid franchise. The actor, known for his role as Daniel LaRusso, notes that the series is in a phase where a reset could help guide its next steps. The franchise began in 1984, paused after the 2010 reboot, and was revived in 2018 with the television series Cobra Kai. That program broadened the story by adjusting the tone of the original films and drew a new audience while bringing back familiar faces.
Macchio appeared at the 24 Hour Plays Annual Gala, an event in which actors prepare a short stage production in 24 hours. He described the experience as challenging but worthwhile. He is 64 years old and said he enjoys trying new formats after years with Cobra Kai and the Karate Kid film universe. He added that live theater has its imperfections, but the moment can still feel right.
In the film Karate Kid: Legends, Daniel LaRusso teams with Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han to train Li Fong for a citywide tournament. While LaRusso remains a central figure, some viewers found his presence in Legends less impactful. Macchio discussed the franchise’s direction without making promises about a return for his character. He suggested the series may need a reset and that the team could pursue other projects before launching a new chapter.
He emphasized that the fan base has remained engaged since 1984 and that any future work should stay true to the characters’ core integrity. He noted that writers and actors are open to ongoing dialogue, but there is no immediate plan. He added, “Cobra Kai never dies. Karate Kid lives forever.”
The success of Cobra Kai helped keep interest in the original characters and in new entrants to the Karate Kid universe. Some fans expect Netflix to announce additional iterations, such as a spin-off or a sequel tied to the Cobra Kai story. After Season 6, the creators teased a potential spin-off centered on popular characters, but no formal confirmation followed. If Netflix proceeds with a Cobra Kai spin-off, the company has not announced concrete plans.
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Thomas Lifson
Thomas Lifson, editor and publisher, calls himself a recovering academic. After graduating from Kenyon College, he studied modern Japan, sociology, and business as a graduate student at Harvard (three degrees) and joined the faculty at Harvard Business School, where he began the consulting career that was to lead him away from academia. He also taught sociology and East Asian studies at Harvard and held visiting professorships at Columbia University and the Japanese National Museum of Ethnology. As a consultant, he has worked with major companies from the United States, Japan, Europe, Asia, and Australasia at the nexus of human, organizational, and strategic issues. A Democrat by birth, Thomas became more conservative in adulthood as reality taught him that dreams of perfecting human society always run smack into human nature. In 2003 he founded American Thinker.
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