‘Karate Kid’ reboot comes to YouTube
NEW YORK: Time to practise your crane kick.
YouTube Red, the online video giant’s subscription service, announced on Friday a new series based on the cult classic “Karate Kid,” with two of film’s principal actors reprising their roles as foes.
The 1984 original starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, a bullied teen who turns to elderly Japanese-American Mr Miyagi (the late Pat Morita who died in 2005) for mentoring and training, was a worldwide blockbuster that led to three sequels and a 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith.
The new series, titled “Cobra Kai” after the fanatical dojo attended by the first film’s villains, is set 30 years later.
His teenage nemesis Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka) has held on to a grudge and is determined to restart their rivalry in the ring.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Johnny will reopen the infamous dojo and reignite his karate rivalry “with a nowsuccessful Daniel, who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his mentor, Mr Miyagi.”
“Like everyone who grew up in the 1980s, the three of us are enormous fans of ‘The Karate Kid,’” scripwriters/co-executive producers Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden 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 10-part series will be co-produced by Will Smith’s production company.
YouTube Red has been seeking to develop original content since its launch in 2015.