James R | On 04, Apr 2019

Cobra Kai may have won the battle, but the war has just begun, as YouTube Premium’s sequel to The Karate Kid returns for Season 2.

The series, which is inspired by the 1980s sports classic, sees Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprise their roles as arch-rivals Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. Several decades older, with the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament a distant memory, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) lives with his beautiful family, while running a successful string of car dealerships, and Lawrence (William Zabka), whose life has taken a rocky turn, seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo, promising to teach a bullied teenager how to fight back with “a method of fighting your pansy-ass generation desperately needs”.

Season 2 sees them pick up after the first season’s tournament, as past threatens to get in the way of what truly matters. Adding to the nostalgia is Martin Kove, joining the cast to reprise his role as John Kreese, Lawrence’s former mentor in the original movies. Returning cast members from Season 1 include Xolo Mariduena as Miguel, Diaz Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene, Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso and Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso.

You can see them all in action on 24th April, when Season 2 lands on YouTube Premium. Here’s the trailer – and, below that, a recap of Season 1.

 

Cobra Kai adds another familiar face for Season 2

25th May 2018

Cobra Kai is doubling down on nostalgia for its second season, with another familiar face joining the series.

The series, which is inspired by the 1980s sports classic, sees Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprise their roles as arch-rivals Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. Several decades older, with the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament a distant memory, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) lives with his beautiful family, while running a successful string of car dealerships, and Lawrence (William Zabka), whose life has taken a rocky turn, seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo, promising to teach a bullied teenager how to fight back with “a method of fighting your pansy-ass generation desperately needs”.

“This endearingly nostalgic, if occasionally uneven, follow-up to The Karate Kid delivers an entertaining punch,” we wrote in our review of Season 1, which also praised the cast for their portrayals of the grown-up characters.

Spoilers for Season 1 follow.

Now, with Season 2 already ordered, another familiar face is joining the series: Martin Kove as John Kreese. The villainous figure appeared at the very end of Cobra Kai’s first season, with Kove’s cameo setting up a cliffhanger, as he confronted his former student, Lawrence.

Kove will reprise his performance once again in a recurring role, joining returning cast members Xolo Mariduena as Miguel, Diaz Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene, Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso and Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso.

Season 2 is expected to premiere on YouTube Red in 2019.

 

YouTube Red renews Cobra Kai for Season 2

13th May 2018

The Karate Kid is coming back again, as YouTube Red renews Cobra Kai for Season 2.

The series, which is inspired by the 1980s sports classic, sees Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprise their roles as arch-rivals Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. Several decades older and they aren’t the same people they were in high school, but their rivalry hasn’t changed one bit.

With the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament a mostly distant memory, they now have different lives in the affluent hills of Encino. Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) lives with his beautiful family, while running a successful string of car dealerships throughout the valley. Lawrence (William Zabka), whose life has taken a rocky turn, instead seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo, promising to teach a bullied teenager how to fight back with “a method of fighting your pansy-ass generation desperately needs”.

“This endearingly nostalgic, if occasionally uneven, follow-up to The Karate Kid delivers an entertaining punch,” we wrote in our review of Season 1.

Produced by Overbrook Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television, Cobra Kai is written and exec-produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg. It premiered on YouTube on 2nd May, with the first episodes made available for free, after its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival. Within weeks of that release, the streaming site has already ordered another season.

“This series had all of the right elements from the very beginning — compelling characters, a storied rivalry, and the talented original stars,” Susanne Daniels, YouTube’s head of original content, said in a statement. “The way viewers have embraced the new twist on this beloved franchise has been nothing short of amazing, and we’re thrilled to partner with Sony TV, Overbrook and the extraordinary creative team led by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg to create a second season.”

You can watch the trailer for Season 1 here.

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