Ralph Macchio to Star in Karate Kid Sequel Series

The ten-episode series will debut in 2018.

By Jordan Sirani

The Karate Kid stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka will reprise their roles from the 1984 film for a new sequel series.

Titled Cobra Kai, the series is being developed by Sony Pictures Television Studios and Overbrook Entertainment. It will be comprised of 10 half-hour episodes and debut in 2018 on YouTube Red.

Zabka (left) and Macchio (right) in The Karate Kid

Here's the full synopsis for the series:

Thirty years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, a down-and-out Johnny Lawrence (Zabka) seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo, reigniting his rivalry with a now successful Daniel LaRusso (Macchio), who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi. The show is about two men addressing past demons and present frustrations the only way they know how: through karate.

Hot Tub Time Machine writer Josh Heald will pen the series alongside Harold & Kumar writers Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, who will also direct "much of the series."

"Like everyone who grew up in the 1980s, the three of us are enormous fans of The Karate Kid," said Heald, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg. "Cobra Kai will be a true continuation of the original films – packed with comedy, heart, and thrilling fight scenes."

Glenn Adilman of Sony Pictures Television Studios added: "Continuing the story of The Karate Kid has been a passion project for all of us, and when Ralph and Billy said yes, we knew it had become real. We are thrilled that YouTube Red felt the same thing the minute they heard the pitch and then stepped up with this series commitment."

Following the original film, Macchio starred in two additional Karate Kid movies, 1986's The Karate Kid Part II and 1989's The Karate Kid Part III. A fourth film in the franchise, The Next Karate Kid, was released in 1994 and starred Hilary Swank.

Most recently, The Karate Kid was rebooted as a 2010 film starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. IGN's review called it a "fascinating [reboot]" in some respects, "sticking incredibly close to the story of the original, yet including some key differences that certainly make it different on a visual level."

Jordan Sirani is a freelance news writer for IGN.

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