Warning: Spoilers ahead forCobra Kaiseason 6, part 3!Cobra Kai’s finale gave William Zabka the ending he deserved, but it also subtly revealed what he’ll be doing during the events ofKarate Kid: Legends. Although it won’t be fully confirmed untilKarate Kid: Legends' release date,Johnny isn’t expected to appear in the movie. While this may come as a disappointment to many, it makes sense given what happened at theend ofCobra Kai’s final season. Even if Zabka’s character does have a brief cameo inLegends,Cobra Kaihas already made it so that he can’t follow Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) to the movie’s primary setting.
The upcoming legacy sequel will take place in the same continuity as all previousKarate Kidmovies as well as every season ofCobra Kai. However,Karate Kid: Legendswon’t heavily acknowledge the events of the Netflix show, despite them being part of the same canon. Instead, the movie will focus on the surprising return of Jackie Chan as Mr. Han for the first time since 2010’s then-remake of 1984’sThe Karate Kid. Johnny may not be part of the story, butCobra Kaihas already explained why.
Cobra Kai Confirms Johnny Will Be In Charge Of Both Dojos While Daniel Is Away In Karate Kid: Legends
Cobra Kai’s new partnership with Miyagi-Do means both senseis share their students
Cobra Kai’s final scene (and the montage that precedes it) confirms that Johnny reclaiming Cobra Kai hasn’t resulted in the old feud with Miyagi-Do being resurrected. Instead,Johnny and Daniel share all of their students between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do, with them each specializing in offensive and defensive karate respectively. So, when Daniel is away inKarate Kid: Legends,Johnny will become the primary sensei. Of course, he will have help, as Stingray (Paul Walter Hauser) reveals in the finale that he is rejoining Cobra Kai as a sensei, “Teaching a weekend class for beginners.”
Karate Kid: Legendsis set three years after the events of theCobra Kaifinale.
Although Miyagi-Do Karate isn’t Johnny’s biggest strength, he is still well-versed in the style thanks to his time training with Daniel inCobra Kaiseason 6. So, his students won’t be left with an unbalanced approach that only focuses on the Cobra Kai ethos. Whilethere is an argument that Chozen Toguchi (Yuji Okumoto) could temporarily returnto shore up the Miyagi-Do side of things, his exit in theCobra Kaifinale as he chases his heart makes this a little less likely. Besides, Johnny has proven himself capable of balance several times.
Why Cobra Kai’s Ending Doesn’t Directly Set Up The New Karate Kid Movie
Karate Kid: Legends is a very soft sequel to Cobra Kai
As mentioned,Karate Kid: Legendsisn’t a traditional sequel toCobra Kai. Instead, it’s a fresh era for the franchise, or a jumping-on point for newcomers. The two projects are canonically connected, but they don’t rely on each other in the same wayCobra Kaidid with the originalKarate Kidtrilogy. Having said that,having Johnny available to fill in while Daniel is away puts Macchio’s character in a great positionfor the franchise’s future.Cobra Kaihas made it possible for Daniel to be more flexible in futureKarate Kidprojects, and the same is true for Johnny.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends is a sequel to Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The film sees Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles, continuing the legacy of martial arts mentorship and rivalry in a new era of challenges and apprentices.
