The Karate Kid star Ralph Macchio has opened up about a scene he was determined to include in the final season of Cobra Kai. The hit Netflix series came to a close with the release of Part 3 of its final season, which offered a resolution to the characters’ long journeys, allowing William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence to finally overcome his past.
Additionally, the final season also wrapped up a subplot involving Daniel LaRusso’s mentor, Mr. Miyagi, which had been a source of unease for him throughout the final season. Macchio recently shared that he was insistent on addressing the storyline with a particular scene in the final season.
Ralph Macchio revealed the scene he insisted on keeping in the final season of Cobra Kai
Ralph Macchio, who is set to reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso in the upcoming Karate Kid movie, recently revealed that he was determined to include a crucial scene in the show’s final season to ensure a meaningful moment between Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi.
The scene in question occurs in Episode 13 of the final season titled, Skeletons, where his character Daniel shares one final scene with Mr. Miyagi in a dream sequence.
During a roundtable interview with SlashFilm, the actor shared that he insisted on keeping a final scene between the iconic characters. “Can we find a place where we see Daniel and Miyagi together in some way?” he said, reflecting on the scene.
He further explained,
I want that hero moment where they are side by side in some way. How do we do that without having the use of the Mr. Miyagi character? And so this is what they came up with, and it’s all internal for Daniel because it’s all in his mind.
Mr. Miyagi was previously brought back to life in Part 2 of the final season using AI, a decision repeated in Part 3 and has sparked mixed reactions from fans, with many criticizing it as unnecessary.
Despite that, Macchio has consistently emphasized the significance of Mr. Miyagi’s presence in Cobra Kai, highlighting that the character’s legacy is fundamental to both the series and Daniel’s journey.
Ralph Macchio on keeping Mr. Miyagi’s legacy alive in Cobra Kai
Mr. Miyagi, the beloved character portrayed by the late Pat Morita, remained an integral part of the Netflix series. The series follows Daniel LaRusso as he carries on Miyagi’s legacy by starting his own karate school in response to Cobra Kai’s resurgence in the valley.
Ralph Macchio has emphasized his commitment to keeping Mr. Miyagi’s presence alive in the show, stating that he wanted the character to be “woven throughout the series.”
Reflecting on the significance of Mr. Miyagi’s lasting influence in Cobra Kai, Macchio told SlashFilm,
We get to see the impact of Mr. Miyagi and the focusing on the good and letting go of any of the sharp edges that might be there, and seeing the truth of the core of the human being that he was, and paying that legacy forward.
The actor also shared that honoring the character throughout the series was a key factor in his decision to join the series. “I did say the words as simply as ‘I can’t do this show unless that character informs the story in some way,’” he recalled.
While he asserted that it was not an “ultimatum,” Macchio stressed that it was “pretty important” for him to make sure that the series honors the legacy of the iconic character before fully committing to the project.
Cobra Kai is available to watch on Netflix.
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