FORTY years ago, Ralph Macchio got his first starring role in a film that defined his life and gave him worldwide recognition as Daniel LaRusso, ‘The Karate Kid.’

There was no premiere that took place before ‘The Karate Kid’ was shown in theaters. About a month before it came out. there was a sneak preview at the Coronet Theater on 3rd Avenue in New York.

“Seeing that movie for the first time in 1984 with John Avildsen who directed the film, I walked in at the back of the theater and it was like sitting on a rollercoaster,” Ralph shared.

“When I left the theater, I was like the local hero who won the Super Bowl and Stanley Cup and that has been that way ever since. That moment was special and its seemed to have resonated with fans around the world.”

The classic tale of Daniel LaRusso and the mysterious Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) led to three blockbuster sequels, a successful remake in 2010 with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, a spin off TV show and a new film coming up in 2025.

The one to be shown next year will star a new Karate Kid, Ben Wang, but will also unite erstwhile The Karate Kid stars Ralph with Jackie Chan in a new story that will endear Karate Kid fans to a new generation of viewers. At the helm is Jonathan Entwistle

The original ‘The Karate Kid’ in 1984 was filmed with just a meager $8 million budget. Yet, the first film grossed $130 million. Undoubtedly, ‘The Karate Kid’ has etched a niche in popular culture 40 years since its release.

Despite the ups and downs Ralph had with ‘The Karate Kid’ character, apparently, the original The Karate Kid never left him through the years. Although he lamented that portraying Daniel LaRusso made it difficult for him to get roles as he got older.

Filming the new ‘The Karate Kid’ started las April 1, 2024, with the working title ‘Victory Boulevard.’ It wrapped up on June 3. The film was supposed to be released last June, but was moved to May 30, 2025, so it will not clash with the final season of ‘Cobra Kai.’

‘Cobra Kai’ is a Netflix series that is a spin off of The Karate Kid universe. The series started in 2018 and is now on its sixth and final season. Original Karate Kid stars William Zabka and Yuji Okimoto join Ralph in the cast of Cobra Kai.

“This is the gift that keeps on giving,” said Ralph, who reprises his Daniel LaRusso character in ‘Cobra Kai.’ “The friendship, the bond and the brotherhood, I am really blessed to be on this journey and this ride. This is an emotional rollercoaster.”

“The story of The Karate Kid is still continuing four decades later with multi-generation of fans,” added William. “We’re picking up to see the next chapter.”

Martin Kove from the original film, plays Sensei Kreese in ‘Cobra Kai.’ Proof that the present day plot line still connects to the original story.

Over the years, “Cobra Kai never dies” has become the catch phrase of the dojo. It represents strength as it proved that Cobra Kai is an unconquerable force that will withstand anything.

Interestingly, the new Cobra Kai trailer unearths a Mr. Miyagi mystery. “We’ve been through a lot to get at this point, but now, we’re finally on the same page,” Daniel LaRusso said as the trailer started teasing the competition that looms in Cobra Kai.

“We may have settled things in the Valley, but now, we have to be ready for what the world throws at us.”

The Season 6 of Cobra Kai contains 15 episodes to be shown on Netflix. Unlike previous seasons, the sixth one will be released in three parts of five episodes each, just like what Netflix did in the Bridgerton period series.

The first five episodes of Cobra Kai premiered starting June 18, the next five this November and the final five to be aired in 2025, as a prelude to the next The Karate Kid tentatively titled Victory Boulevard.

Now that he has resurrected his Daniel LaRusso character after four decades, Ralph said he is willing to hang the part when it’s no longer truthful.

“From when I got the part in 1983, I went at this role and wanted to play the truth,” Ralph said. “The honesty of what this kid was going through. And I try to do that with Cobra Kai even as heightened as it gets.

“I try to play what is true for the character and I do that for the movie. So when that truth goes away, I think it’ll be time to put that away.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio