The first season of the series “Cobra Kai”facing YouTube Red is now available in full, and so far the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. The series isn't just a testament to the power of the pre-Internet era, but it's also a surprisingly smart, quality continuation of a story—or should I say, a desperate rivalry—that seemed to end in 1984, when Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) pulled off a timely crane kick, knocking out Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). The franchise has since spawned a number of sequels and even a remake, but now it has a chance to find new life as the first major series offered by YouTube Red.
As many already know, “Cobra Kai” takes as a basis the story of the original "Karate Kid" and, as it were, flips the script, placing the emphasis on Johnny Lawrence, a little later focusing on Daniel 34 years after their fateful meeting at the All Valley Karate Championships. The result was part comedy, part drama, but without the excessive self-irony that many probably expected. All this only adds points to the series, which turned out much better than expected, which is a real rarity in the current era of reboots, remakes and revivals.
Part 1-I
As for Macchio himself, he said he saw great potential in this show. He admits that he was always very nervous about playing Daniel LaRusso, but this project was definitely something he should have signed up for. The actor shared his thoughts on this matter in a recent interview with Screen Rantwhich you can read below:
What was it like returning to the Karate Kid franchise and portraying Daniel LaRusso as a father and husband?
Ralph Macchio: This is no easy task, especially when it comes to something that has become the subject of parodies over the years. Well, you remember, first I appeared in the Funny of Die video, then Billy Zabka directed the video, in which he himself starred, and, among other things, there was an episode in the series How I Met Your Mother. So, it’s not that easy, but it was nice to see such warm feedback from the audience.
All these 30 years I have refused almost all such proposals. The thing is, I'm very passionate about the Karate Kid franchise and especially about my character Daniel LaRusso. During this time, no one approached me with ideas about a possible continuation. People contacted me and kept saying things like, “You should play this character again.” “Imagine, now you have your own child who is being bullied, and you become Mr. Miyagi for him”... and stuff like that. Everyone had amazing ideas.
The question was who would write the script, who would come up with an unusual idea and make the series fresh, relevant, nostalgic and a top entertainment program. In this case, Jon [Hurwitz], Josh [Held] and Hayden [Schlossberg] really had a fresh perspective on how to come back to this world without trying to do The Karate Kid or something like a remake. I know they did it once, but I wasn't into it. Plus, it was the first time we'd done it since Pat Morita passed away, so we decided not to repeat it. We just wanted to find a way to pay homage to the original and then come up with something new.
I think I was the last one to come to the party - not that I was against their idea, I just thought I needed more time to jump, you know? The timing seemed right. They were very well prepared and we all collaborated with each other as we rushed this project around to different studios, channels, etc. It generated a lot of interest in many places, but YouTube Red really had a stranglehold on the project. We chose them, and we are very happy about it. The feedback was simply amazing.
Was there a challenge in finding the right tone for the story?
Macchio: The show is exactly what the creators intended, and I take my hat off to them because it's really challenging. Because once you get into the editing room and start editing, sometimes you can cut just a couple of things and completely change the tone of the story. Much of the humor here comes from the fact that these guys, even in their 50s, still maintain a competitive spirit. And as the series progresses, just when you think all the old grudges are in the past, it only takes one step to rekindle the fire and they start to sort things out with each other again. But as far as the original idea goes, I think we nailed it, and that was also a challenge because on the one hand we wanted to be funny, but we also needed emotional moments, and I think they will be noticeable towards the middle of the first season .
Will we see Daniel experiencing some of the levels of dissatisfaction that men typically experience after reaching a certain level of success and a certain age?
Macchio: I wouldn’t like to go into too much detail right now... in general, since Mr. Miyagi passed away, there has been a void in Daniel’s life. I think you'll see some flashbacks with him and his daughter [Samantha] in the second episode. And now she’s 16, she’s no longer daddy’s little girl, Daniel himself gave up karate and hasn’t trained for 8 years. And suddenly Johnny Lawrence suddenly comes back into his life at a moment when Daniel is very successful, but at the same time he is missing something. Johnny Lawrence breaks into his comfort zone, Cobra Kai breaks into his comfort zone, and it all throws him off course.
How do you feel about Cobra Kai landing on YouTube Red? Does it even matter to you whether it's a broadcast network, HBO, or a streaming platform like YouTube?
Macchio: I really didn't know where we would end up. I just felt that we could arouse audience interest, and we achieved this. Netflix been in the game for a while, and also TBS, In my opinion. And, of course, YouTube from the very beginning. YouTube was merciless. I think they saw the potential in this show and thought it would be theirs. "House of Cards", like Netflix, or theirs "The Handmaid's Tale", like Hulu. They were looking for their first breakthrough series.
What I really like about YouTube and YouTube Red is that it's clear that there aren't many places today where almost everyone's eyes are directed every day. And, naturally, in this case you have a much greater chance of reaching a mass audience. If you want to watch something, you can easily find it on YouTube. So, it's about capturing the attention of as many people as possible. Of course, you'll have to fork out a little to get it, just like with Netflix, Amazon or Hulu. “Was it important for me to settle down at HBO, ABC or YouTube?” I think first of all you strive to be at the top. At the end of the day, this is my baby, Karate Kid is my legacy, so I want him to get the treatment that I think he deserves. And looking at how YouTube has promoted it, people are definitely aware that the show is coming, and if so, then I think they will definitely not miss it.
Part 2-I
Series premiere "Cobra Kai", which is a sequel "Karate Kid" took place this week at YouTubeNetwork, and many have probably already watched the entire 10-episode first season. Those who have already done it or are just starting to watch it have probably become acquainted with Johnny Lawrence, who hardly resembles the young man who once appeared before us in the 1984 film. Perhaps it won’t be considered a spoiler if we say that Johnny has kind of been left behind in life, and now he needs a shake-up - the exact opposite of being hit in the face by a crane, if you like. And this is where the new series begins.
The main trump card of the series is the return as William Zabka as Lawrence, and Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, now the auto king of the San Fernando Valley. But at the start of the series, it still feels like Cobra Kai simply wouldn't have worked without Zabka and the opportunity to create a (possibly very bumpy) redemption story that's roughly 34 years in the making. By and large, Johnny is perhaps the main reason for the existence of the series, although the actor himself claims that this is a story about him and Daniel.
Zabka talked to Screen Rant ahead of the Cobra Kai premiere and shared some details about how the project came about, Johnny Lawrence's place in his life, and why he's excited to be a part of YouTube Red. Read his answers below:
Tell us a little about how this project came about, and when exactly it became clear to you that this is exactly what you would like to take part in.
William Zabka: I got involved with the project thanks to Josh [Held], Jon [Hurwitz] and Hayden [Schlossberg], who called me about a year and a half ago - even a little earlier, in December 2016. I worked with Josh on Hot Tube Time Machine. They emailed me and asked if I would like to have lunch with them and casually mentioned that they had a project they would like to talk to me about. I couldn't even imagine that it would be like this. We went to a Mexican restaurant, we had some cash with us, and before we could even order, these three people gave me an idea that just blew my mind. By the end, they were talking incessantly, like one head with three mouths, literally finishing each other’s sentences, and they painted such a colorful picture. In the end, I completely fell in love with the script they were developing and the idea they were selling me. And the first thing I asked them was: “What will the tone of the story be?” They laid out the basic concept to me and I think they were able to execute it. As soon as I watched the finished episodes, I immediately realized that everything turned out exactly as they intended. And then I told them that they would need to get permission for all this. And they are like: “Everything is already covered.” That's when I actually almost fainted and asked them what the next step was, and they said, “Well, we need to contact Ralph.”
They reached out to Ralph and we talked on the phone and we agreed that this was a really smart, fresh approach to bringing these characters back. We both thought that the result would be worthy and that something could really come out of it.
What was your reaction to how the creators ended up flipping the script and essentially casting Johnny as the underdog?
Zabka: We all know Daniel LaRusso well from three parts of The Karate Kid. But as for Johnny, we were only shown a glimpse of him in the very first film. So I think the writers' attempt to tell the audience a little bit about who Johnny is and help them understand who he is now is quite successful, because I think people already have a pretty good idea of who LaRusso is. As for flipping the script and everything else... it all happens, but it kind of works both ways. Everyone is trying to figure out which team they are playing for. And in my opinion, both of their teams are one way or another successfully coping with the task. So it's not so much about the rivalry as it is about these two characters, but it's very 2018, and it's mostly about how the culture as a whole, teenagers themselves, and the idea of mentorship and bullying are different from what what it was all like in 1984. Both characters are in the same position, they are trying to find themselves. Johnny and Daniel in The Karate Kid hate each other. But if Johnny had never met Daniel, Daniel would never have become the Karate Kid, and if it weren't for Daniel, Johnny would never have seen the light of day. Therefore, despite the fact that they are complete opposites and went their separate ways, these two characters complement each other.
From the very beginning, the show develops the theme of teenage aggression. How well do you think it copes with this task?
Zabka: There is no attempt to make any statements here. But in general, it used to be like... in the old days, if you had a conflict, you just fought somewhere on the corner, sorted things out on the spot and then peacefully went home. Today, teenagers are bullied at school, mocked at them and continue to spread rot even on the Internet. In my time there was no such severe pressure and I think this is the main difference. I think what makes Johnny interesting as a character is that he hasn't changed a bit over the years. He resisted change, he just didn't buy into it. He is very much an analogue person in a digital world and prefers an old school approach which may or may not be correct. But he is sincere in his motives, and really tries to help these guys, even if his methods are not always good.
Was it difficult for you to get used to this character again and present him to the audience as an adult who is faced with a whole new set of personal problems?
Zabka: What I love about this character, and always have loved... is shown in the very first opening scene of Cobra Kai. When Johnny finally realizes what an idiot he's been. He strives for success, but as soon as he meets Daniel, everything in his life begins to go awry. He ends up getting kicked in the face, then gets up and says, “You did great, LaRusso,” and he has this moment of epiphany... I would even say remorse. And here we see the real Johnny: he is trying to become a better person and is looking for the right path. Many years later, he still carries this baggage and is still trying to achieve something meaningful. And he's passing on what he knows best to a group of teenagers who need it. He also does this for his own personal reasons because now no one needs him anymore. The only thing in his life that helped him move forward - whether it was good or bad, is another question - was his martial art. Cobra Kai doesn't make any statements or try to shout about itself, it's just a beautifully crafted story. I think people will constantly question all of this, listen to their feelings, and reflect on how much they are hooked on the Cobra Kai series and what Johnny's role is in all of this.
It's as if Johnny is stuck in time. He kind of peaked in high school and is now trying to recapture his former glory days. As the series progressed, was there a lot of talk about eventually getting Johnny to this point?
Zabka: Well, yes, this is a creative look at it today. I mean, in your mind, by the end of the movie, he could be anything he wants to be. He could have gone in any direction. As for the connection with him, in this regard the writers are just great. That is, they worked on his character, constantly weighing his actions with an eye on young Johnny. And they kept asking me: “Could Johnny have done this or that?” At first I kicked back a little, but then I finally opened up and realized that this man was 30 years older. After all, all people change over the years and are not like the high school students they once were. So in many ways he's a completely new character.
He is also the polar opposite of who I am in real life. That is, in order to get used to this character, I had to block all my natural emotions. One day during filming, I was talking to my wife on the phone and told her: “Right now, there’s probably only two percent of the real me in me.” They really enriched his inner world and thus provided me with a lot of excellent material to work with. So I just embodied the spirit of today's Johnny, and the writers just added these three decades and a colorful backstory, and I think Cobra Kai has the potential to be a completely standalone story in the long run.
In the first episode, Johnny gets into a fight with a group of teenagers and unwittingly becomes a hero in Miguel's eyes and later serves as a role model for him. How different is this from Daniel's relationship with Mr. Miyagi?
Zabka: In a way, this is truly surprising. As you can see in the pilot episode, Johnny leads a reclusive life, he is left practically alone in this world. As for the relationship with Miguel (Jolo Maridueño), he is essentially the first person who needs Johnny and sees the good side of him. And Johnny, in a sense, needs this kid too. His motivation for moving forward with Cobra Kai is quite complex, but the relationship between him and Miguel is organic and natural and does, to some extent, mirror what Miyagi had with Daniel, only in reverse. Miguel becomes the only real person in Johnny's life.
Have there been any discussions at all regarding playing on the nostalgia of the original Karate Kid and the 80s era in Cobra Kai?
Zabka: From the very beginning they said that it would be a completely self-contained show that would not travel at the expense of the film. That is, it will be a separate story. In general, of course, you are amazed at the huge audience, and for the fans who grew up with these characters, it all gives them even more dimensions. So, of course, people who are familiar with the film will have a much better experience with this show. But in no way was it deliberately made with an emphasis on nostalgia to be too retro, and what is called "with a beard" is not some kind of parody satire. Everything comes from the heart and yes, some moments will be easily recognizable, but they are not intended to reference the original film or deliberately play on feelings of nostalgia. You yourself will feel it one way or another. They always said from the beginning that the series would be a true continuation of the story, and that's exactly what it is. So, it wasn't meant to be nostalgic. It's more like... when you grow up and then chat casually with your friends about the events of days gone by. Of course, there are familiar moments there, but they are not the main focus.
How fruitful do you see your collaboration with YouTube?
Zabka: In some ways, this is the best option for our show, given the direction YouTube is going. Apparently they want to become more popular and accessible as a streaming platform like Netflix or something like that. We were just looking for people who were truly interested in the project, and weren't going to push us to the very end of the line so that we would end up lost among hundreds of other shows. When we came to them to discuss the script, it was our first meeting. We were in talks with a lot of people and a lot of studios. YouTube was first on our list. And the excitement emanating from them was palpable, so that when we walked out of their office, we felt like this was our home and we had a place where we could be given complete creative freedom. We just felt like this was where our show could fully exist. From then on everything went just fine. It's a pleasure to work with them.
Official source: screenrant.com
Published: 02.05.2018
Translation: Black Dragon
Home » The Interview »
Tags: Cobra Kai, The Karate Kid, web series, Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Xolo Maridueño
Tags: Cobra Kai, The Karate Kid, web series, Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Xolo Maridueño
I got such a buzz. It just became horrendous: “so much tra-ta, ta-ta-ra.” Contender for the title of best series. Of course, Altered Carbon will do it, but we come from childhood.
Interesting. Thanks for translating the interview!
Danil Chupakhin,
Always happy. ) And the series is really interesting. I really liked it. I'm waiting for the second season.
Black Dragon,
It would be very cool if I translated a new interview with Dennis Ruel -> https://filmcombatsyndicate.com/dennis-ruel-interview-2/
Danil Chupakhin,
I'll translate. I can’t promise it will be soon, but I’ll try to do it as quickly as possible.