Titled 'Cobra Kai', the 10-episode new series will be set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament and revolves around Johnny who reopens the infamous Cobra Kai dojo.
- Aug 5, 2017
AceShowbiz - Ralph Macchio and William Zabka will be fighting in the dojo once again on new TV series "Cobra Kai. "Cobra Kai", the sequel series of "The Karate Kid", is set to coming to YouTube Red in 2018.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 10-episode series will be set 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament and revolves around a down-and-out Johnny (Zabka) who, seeking redemption, reopens the infamous Cobra Kai dojo. It reignites his rivalry with a now-successful Daniel (Macchio), who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi (the late Pat Morita). The half-hour comedy follows the duo addressing demons from their past and present frustrations through karate.
"The minute I heard about this project, I knew we had to have it. 'The Karate Kid' became an instant classic in the 1980s, and still resonates with audiences around the world and on YouTube today," Susanne Daniels, global head of original content at YouTube, said in a statement. "We're thrilled to partner with Sony TV, Overbrook and the talented writing team led by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg to add a fresh, new comedic twist on one of Hollywood's most storied rivalries."
"Like everyone who grew up in the 1980s, the three of us are enormous fans of 'The Karate Kid'," Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg said in a joint statement. " 'Cobra Kai' will be a true continuation of the original films-packed with comedy, heart and thrilling fight scenes. We can't wait to reignite the LaRusso-Lawrence rivalry, and we're thankful to our partners at YouTube Red, Sony Pictures Television and Overbrook for their shared enthusiasm in making our dream project a reality."
The original "Karate Kid" was released in 1984 and quickly became a pop culture staple. Movie sequels followed later, which included 1994's "The Next Karate Kid", starring Hilary Swank, and 2010's "The Karate Kid", starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith.
In addition to writing, Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg will serve as executive producers. Hurwitz and Schlossberg will also direct much of the series, while James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett will executive produce for Overbrook Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television Studios.
