Back to the Futurebeing rebooted has been a topic of much debate in recent years, and while there would be a huge risk of tainting the franchise’s legacy if it were brought back and it flopped, one of the saga’s contemporaries has proven it can be accomplished with absolute brilliance. 1985’sBack to the Futureis one of thebest time travel movies, but it also served as the first installment for one of thebest movie trilogies of all time. The series is still beloved decades after its conclusion, which in many circumstances, can result in a comeback.
Director Robert Zemeckis has said (viaVariety) that aBack to the Futurelegacy sequel or a remake “just isn’t on the cards.” However, in the same interview, he also expressed a desire to direct a movie adaptation ofBack to the Future’s Broadway musical, which premiered in 2020. So, he’s clearly not completely closed off to the idea of adding to theBack to the Futuremovies. Therefore,it might just take the right idea to convince Zemeckis to reboot the iconic franchise. Thankfully, another project has already established the perfect framework.
A Back To The Future Legacy Show Like Cobra Kai Would Be The Best Way To Reboot It
The adventures of Marty McFly don’t need to be at the heart of a Back to the Future revival
1984’sThe Karate Kidwas released the year beforeBack to the Future, and there is a notable amount of crossover between fanbases. In 2018,Cobra Kailaunched on YouTube Red, with theKarate Kidlegacy show eventually being purchased by Netflix.Cobra Kaidoesn’t reimagineThe Karate Kidor try to change it in any way. Instead, it simply adds to theKarate Kidmoviesdecades after they ended and leaves all existing canon intact. This would be a brilliant way forBack to the Futureto return to screens.
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Cobra Kaiintroduced new characters to the franchise while also picking up the stories of the originalKarate Kidholdovers. That way,the pressure wasn’t all on Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRussoand William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence to carry the show.Cobra Kaiessentially became its own entity, with knowledge of the movies that had preceded it in decades gone by being completely optional. AlthoughBack to the Futurewould have the added edge of a sci-fi genre label,Cobra Kaihas already provided Zemeckis' series with all the building blocks it needs to find new life.
Cobra Kai Was A Love Letter To Karate Kid, And That’s What A Back To The Future Reboot Would Need
The Karate Kid legacy show was made with quality in mind
In the wrong hands,Cobra Kaicould easily have turned into a joyless cash grabthat just went through the motions. Instead, it turned out to be a heartfelt tribute to the Miyagi-verse while also slotting into the main canon. It was made with the fans in mind and brought back countless figures from the franchise’s earlier years in ways that made perfect sense to the show’s new plot. For aBack to the Franchiselegacy show to work, this approach would need to be closely imitated.
Back to the Futurehad an animated spinoff show that ran for two seasons between 1991 and 1992. The show is set after the movies but is not considered part of the main canon.
All the concerns thatBack to the Futurefans have about a revival are likely to be identical to the onesKarate Kidfans hadwhen they first heard aboutCobra Kai, but everything turned out way better than okay. If aBack to the Futurelegacy show were put into production, those same fears would almost definitely still arise, butCobra Kaistands as a testament to the fact that taking risks with a long-dormant and time-honored franchise has the potential to be something beautiful rather than a project to be rejected by existing fans.
Back To The Future Doesn’t Need A Remake, But A Legacy Sequel Can Work If Done Right
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One of the biggest differences betweenThe Karate KidandBack to the Futureis Ralph Macchio’s first outing as Daniel LaRusso in 1984 is inarguably the franchise’s best movie so far.Cobra Kaifixed the issue ofThe Karate Kidnever getting a sequel as good as the original. On the other hand,Back to the Futureproduced three brilliant movies that formed one impressively cohesive story and then rode off into the sunset. So,Back to the Futurehas no need for correctionin the same way thatCobra Kaidid for theKarate Kidfranchise.
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However, just becauseBack to the Futuredoesn’t need a legacy show, that doesn’t mean the idea should be completely removed from the table. If the right circumstances, story, and opportunity present themselves, there’s no reason why aCobra Kai-esque show can’t add to the lore of the legendary time travel saga. In short,Back to the Futurehas nothing to prove, no need for a remake, and plenty of time to ruminate on potential plans.
Back to the Future
“Back to the Future” is a science fiction adventure franchise that follows the time-traveling adventures of Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown. Created by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the series is known for its clever use of time travel, memorable characters, and iconic DeLorean time machine. The franchise explores themes of causality, destiny, and the impact of individual actions on the future. Its blend of humor, heart, and innovative storytelling has made it a beloved classic in film history.
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.
