YouTube ‘Karate Kid’ Sequel ‘Cobra Kai’ Shows No Mercy in First Trailer
Look, we all know the feeling of childhood karate rivalries that last into middle-age, but YouTube’s Karate Kid sequel series is finally here to put it onscreen. Return to Cobra Kai, as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence reignite their old rivalry with a nostalgic first teaser for the new series.
Entertainment Weekly debuted first footage of the new YouTube Red series, which will premiere at an undetermined point later this year. The brief footage shows us flashes of past events and the old Cobra Kai dojo, culminating in another standoff between Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny (William Zabka) as the latter looks to train a new generation. “We are not trained to be merciful here,” Johnny tells his students at one point. “Mercy is for the weak.” Here’s the synopsis:
Picking up 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, the half-hour series finds Daniel and Johnny at different places in their lives. Whereas Daniel is living his best life as a family man and proud owner of the No. 1 car dealership in the Valley, Johnny has fallen a long way since the ’80s and is now a heavy drinking, short-fused antihero living in Reseda, doing odd jobs to make ends meet. However, their rivalry is reignited when they re-enter each other’s lives, which drives Johnny to rediscover his Cobra Kai roots and reopen the infamous karate dojo.
Supporting cast will include Mom star Courtney Henggeler as Daniel’s wife and business partner Amanda, Mary Mouser as their daughter Samantha, Parenthood alum Xolo Maridueña as new Cobra Kai recruit Miguel Diaz, and Tanner Buchanan as Johnny’s son Robby Keene. Ed Asner will also put in guest appearances as Johnny’s stepfather Sid Weinberg. As previously revealed, Cobra Kai is written and executive produced by Hot Tub Time Machine alum Josh Heald and Harold and Kumar creators Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg.
Stay tuned for more as the Karate Kid sequel series officially sweeps the leg this year.
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