The immense popularity of Cobra Kai, the YouTube-turned-Netflix series that re-ignited the Karate Kid franchise, has resulted in plans for a new movie entry in the series. However, word that it may be unconnected to the events in the show has left many fans confused.
One of Cobra Kai’s creators, Jon Hurwitz, acknowledged the project in a tweet the day after its June 7, 2024, release date was announced by Sony’s Columbia Pictures, stating:
Labeling what will be the sixth feature film in the franchise, and the first movie in the series since the Jaden Smith-starring version in 2010 (though the events in that film may not be considered canon), “the return of the original Karate Kid franchise,” has many speculating that the 2024 edition may be a pure big-screen reboot, a legacy sequel.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
What’s confusing is that Cobra Kai, now five seasons in with 50 episodes, served that function with the original cast coming back and new characters introduced, so how a movie could be its own separate thing and be part of the same universe is indeed a confounding prospect. But the answer for how the 2024 movie could exist apart and together with the series may be in the “Miyagi-Verse.”
A New Angle for the Miyagi-Verse
Columbia Pictures
The “Miyagi-Verse,” named after the original series’ iconic character, Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita), contains the continuity of the films, The Karate Kid Part II, Part III, and The Next Karate Kid, and the five seasons of the small screen follow-up, Cobra Kai. It may be the building block for the new direction or statement the new film will make about the entire saga.
With no synopsis, cast, or any details beyond the announcement’s date, and declaration of the return of the original franchise, one can only speculate that a new Karate Kid film can both build on the established Miyagi-Verse narrative but stake out its own space as it could expand the landscape of Miyagi’s mentorship, his past pupils, and the vast scope of his history before and after the franchise’s timeline.
Whether The Karate Kid 2024 is a reboot, reimagining, or reunion is yet to be seen, along with if the original cast or the Cobra Kai recruits will be included. Still, it can be speculated that there will be some sort of connection in the form of roles reprised and crucial characters making appearances. It is difficult to imagine that this project won’t involve any of the same actors or actresses.
A Karate Kid movie that promises a return to the original film series’ stature, but without Ralph Macchio, would be a hard sell, especially since his re-claiming of the character of Daniel LaRusso is a significant factor in the success of Cobra Kai. Same for his co-star, William Zabka, as Johnny Lawrence. But if the new film goes into different territory than the show’s focus on their rivalry, the possibilities for a plot, a different tonal feel, and wider-ranging thematics could be worked by a skilled writer into a Karate Kid movie that holds its own yet still fits in the franchise.
It may be impossible to pull off, but the ambitious concept of constructing a follow-up possibly unrelated to Cobra Kai is commendable. It means that it won’t just be a cash grab to exploit the success of the series. With so many complaints about the lack of originality in show business, this may be an established property, but the proposed attempt at a different angle on the material for the big screen than what’s worked on the small so far is an intriguing idea that could pay off big-time.
Bringing The Karate Kid Back to the Big Screen
Cobra Kai’s fifth season dropped on Netflix last month (September 9th), with no plans yet announced for a sixth season. Since Hurwitz and co-creators Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald are currently working on the new action comedy Obliterated, also for Netflix, Cobra Kai most likely won’t be back until late 2023.
In that time, we’ll find out just what’s in store for The Karate Kid on the silver screen in 2024, and perhaps it’ll inform season six of Cobra Kai whether it has a connection. A possible model for the proposed project could very well be X-Files: Fight the Future, the 1998 film that both worked inside the show’s storyline and as a stand-alone film for people who haven’t watched the series.
The making of The Karate Kid ’24 will be largely scrutinized as new information is revealed, especially as the news so far reported is pretty vague. The little we do know does inspire excitement as it indicates that the wheels are turning towards a possible resurrection of The Karate Kid’s big screen presence.
Here’s hoping that the filmmakers, whoever they are, have the vision to make movie magic in the Miyagi-Verse yet again.
