It’s time to go back to the dojo! Cobra Kai season 5 is only a week old, and now Sony has announced a new film in the franchise that will arrive on June 7th 2024. On that date, the first new Karate Kid movie since 2010’s reboot will hit theaters.
Sony hasn’t released any plot details other than to say that it will be a continuation of the original story that began with 1984’s The Karate Kid. That film starred Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, a bullied kid who learned to defend himself using karate taught to him by Mr. Miyagi, played by the late Pat Morita. Two sequels were produced in 1986 and 1989, followed by 1994’s The Next Karate Kid in which Mr. Miyagai trains a new student played by a young Hilary Swank. That was followed by the 2010 reboot starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, a film that many expected to get a sequel due to its $359M box office.
The Karate Kid storyline was effectively ended in 1994, but was picked up more than two decades later with Cobra Kai, a series that continues the story of LaRusso and his nemesis, Johnny Lawrence, played by William Zabka. It’s unclear what this new film means for that show, and if any of its characters will be part of it. Many alums of the original movies have made their return for it, and the series is legit one of Netflix’s biggest hits.
I mean, why not? Go all out, bring back all of the original actors, mix ’em up with new Cobra Kai stars, and even get Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan into the mix. Create a whole Karate Kid crossover thing.