AlthoughKarate Kid: Legendswill be the first movie from the franchise since 2010, I really hope the upcoming legacy sequel is the beginning of a new era for the martial arts series rather than just tying up the loose ends of previous installments. Althoughthere are no other confirmed projects beyondLegendsto be added to the same continuity as theKarate Kidmovies andCobra Kai, the saga still has a lot of untapped potential that needs to be explored in more feature-length productions. If not, it will be a huge waste.
Karate Kid: Legends' storyis set to connect Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han to the franchise’s main canon, as the character was originally intended to be a rebooted version ofPat Morita’s Mr. Miyagiin the 2010 remake of 1984’sThe Karate Kid. However, even thoughRalph Macchio is reprising his role as Daniel Macchio inLegends, it has been made very clear that theending ofCobra Kaiwon’t be a huge factor. Although it may seem strange to keep the Netflix show at arm’s length, that could (and should) all change in any movies that followKarate Kid: Legends.
Karate Kid: Legends Should Set Up Sequels About Other Karate Kid Characters
Legends 2 & beyond could recall other established franchise icons
Although Ben Wang’s Li Fong will be a major part ofKarate Kid: Legends' storyline, the movie’sLegendssubtitle is a reference to the presence of Daniel and Mr. Han. I’m sureit will be great to see Chan’s character returnand find out what he’s been up to all these years and what has triggered his comeback, but I think it’s unlikely that more than one movie will be required to fulfill all this. That being said, that doesn’t mean moreLegendsmovies can’t be made that can bring back other franchise icons.
Cobra Kaicharacters like Mary Mouser’s Samantha LaRusso could return in leading roles inLegendssequels, as well as figures like William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence.Legendssequels can even recall characters who haven’t been seen in years, just like Mr. Han. Hilary Swank’s Julie Pierce and Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker are just two examples, but there are others. Macchio wouldn’t need to be present each time, butLi Fong could learn something from each of the returning iconson his journey to becoming an expert martial artist. I think this idea for a semi-anthologicalLegendsmovie series could really thrive.
Karate Kid: Legends’ Sequels Can Be More Connected To Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai is over, but the characters can still return in Legends movies
It makes sense thatKarate Kid: Legendswon’t properly acknowledgeCobra Kai, even though the movie is set just three years afterJohnny’s victory over Sensei Wolf (Lewis Tan) in the Sekai Taikai. The Netflix show has told a complete redemption story for Zabka’s character over six seasons, so most of the characters involved need time to breathe before they can be recalled for sequels. Plus, the return of Mr. Han offers something exciting enough without the need to overcrowdKarate Kid: Legends' cast with established franchise stars.
There Is One Cobra Kai Character Who Must Absolutely Be In Karate Kid: Legends For Daniel LaRusso’s Next Movie To Make Sense
Karate Kid: Legends is set after Cobra Kai but won’t be a true continuation of the Netflix series, but a key figure connected to Daniel must return.
OnceKarate Kid: Legendshas been released, the saga’s new era will be in full swing. So, it won’t be distracting to delve back into the vast array ofcharacters fromCobra Kaiand the otherKarate Kidmovies.Legendssequels can make more solid connections to the franchise’s sprawling timeline, because the upcoming movie will have proven that it wasn’t only relying on the success ofCobra Kai. Of course,nostalgia will still be an element ofKarate Kid: Legends' presumed success, so sequels continuing to shy away from nods to the past would be pretty off-brand.
There Has Never Been A Better Time For The Karate Kid Franchise To Expand
Cobra Kai’s success proves that audiences aren’t done with the Karate Kid universe
I don’t think anyone ever expectedKarate Kidto come back in the way that it has. Even the original trilogy never got any better than the first movie, and the attempt to reinvigorate the franchise by replacing Ralph Macchio with Hilary Swank in 1994’sThe Next Karate Kiddidn’t have the desired effect.It took until 2018 and the debut ofCobra Kaifor everyone to fall in love with the franchise, either for the first time or all over again.
1984
90%
1986
47%
1989
15%
1994
7%
2010
66%
2018-2025
94%
2025
TBC
Since then,all eyes have been on theKarate Kiduniverse, and the saga is taking full advantage of that by quickly followingCobra Kai’s ending with another movie. If there are plans to make moreKarate Kidmovies orCobra Kaispinoffs, the time is now. If the franchise loses momentum, then it may not be possible to regain its place in popular culture to which it has so unexpectedly returned. There is a perfect framework already in place thanks toKarate Kid: Legends, and greenlighting a sequel can keep the ball rolling.
