Hilary Swank’s Julie never made an appearance inCobra Kai, but it would actually make far more sense for her to show up in a potentialKarate Kid: Legendssequel. The Netflix spinoff series was all aboutKarate Kidnostalgia, which is why it brought back several familiar faces from the 1980s franchise. Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso took up the lead, but other characters like Mike Barnes, Ali Mills, and Johnny’s old Cobra Kai buddies made cameo appearances as well. It seemed only a matter of time beforeThe Next Karate Kid’s protagonist showed up, but it never happened.
The Next Karate Kidwas the 1994 follow up to Ralph Macchio’sThe Karate Kidmovies. Though Daniel was absent, Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi took on a new student, Julie Pierce. Swank’s Julie was ultimately a less popularKarate Kidprotagonist than Daniel had been, but she still solidified her place within the overarching franchise.She would have been a welcomed sight inCobra Kai, where she would be united with Daniel as one of Mr. Miyagi’s past students. While it’s a bit of a disappointment that it never happened, acameo inKarate Kid: Legendsis far more fitting.
If Karate Kid: Legends Gets A Sequel, Hilary Swank’s Julie Should Be In It
She’s The Next Logical Character To Meet Daniel After Mr. Han
Swank’s Julie could have another cameo opportunity inKarate Kid: Legend, but this may not be the best way to do it. The 2025 movie will focus on Mr. Han and Daniel, so there isn’t much room for Swank’s Julie to get the attention she deserves. It would be better ifKarate Kid: Legendswere to get a sequel, which would then bring Daniel and Julie together to teach a new student. This way,there would be a movie dedicated to Daniel’s introduction to each primary character of the twoKarate Kidmoviesthat followed up his own story. It would be perfectly fitting—even more so thancameos inCobra Kai.
Hilary Swank Returning In A Movie Would Make More Sense Than In Cobra Kai
Swank Is A Movie Star, After All
Cobra Kaiwas centered around Macchio’s threeKarate Kidmovies. Swank’sThe Next Karate KidandJackie Chan’s 2010The Karate Kidmovie were never acknowledged by the Netflix series, so it makes some sense that the characters from these movies never appeared. However, the upcomingKarate Kid: Legendswill bring Daniel together with Chan’s Mr. Han, thus bringing the 2010 remake movie into the same universe as the original movie trilogy. As another somewhat disconnected spinoff movie, it makes sense thatThe Next Karate Kidwould get the same treatment.
Karate Kid: Legendswill hit theaters on July 21, 2025.
What’s more,an actor like Swank would be better suited to a prominent role in a major motion picturethan a cameo appearance in a TV show. The actor was in the early stages of her career when she starred inThe Next Karate Kid, but Swank really blew up after her performances in 1999’sBoys Don’t Cryand 2004’sMillion Dollar Baby, both of which earned her Academy Awards for Best Actress as well as other accolades. Such a celebrated actor only having a short cameo in a TV series is a bit of a waste. A co-leading role in a newKarate Kidmovie is a different story, however.
Karate Kid: Legends’ Title Means It Could Be A Franchise Of Standalone Stories
Each Movie Could Explore A New Legend
Thetitle ofKarate Kid: Legendsis another hint that this would be a better fit for Swank’sThe Next Karate Kidcharacter.The “Legends” part seems to refer to Daniel and Mr. Han—or even Macchio and Chan themselves—who have key legacies within theKarate Kidfranchise. The new movie is bringing these two together, and the movie’s title leans into this fact. Given this concept, it makes sense that there would be moreKarate Kid: Legendsto follow, each of which explores a new legendary figure of the franchise on a karate-based adventure within a similar formula.
At this point, the possibilities forKarate Kid: Legendsis limitless, and that’s an exciting prospect.
MultipleKarate Kid: Legendsmovies would also provide a double meaning for the title. Rather than only referring to legendary characters, we could equate the title to “Karate Kid: Stories.“Each movie could stand alone, but they would ultimately all fit together within the same franchise universe. This would mean the door would be open to not only Swank’s Julie, but other characters as well. PerhapsCobra Kai’s Johnny Lawrence could make a return down the road, or Chozen and Sensei Kim. At this point, the possibilities forKarate Kid: Legendsis limitless, and that’s an exciting prospect.
