Cobra Kai is more than just a series about karate, it’s a story of redemption, rivalry, and growth. Since The Karate Kid’s debut, Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso has been at the heart of this tale.
The final season reached its crescendo with some of the most iconic moments that fans will never forget. Macchio agreed to do some things for cinematic value but downright refused one particular demand, so let’s find out what it exactly was and why he made that decision.
Ralph Macchio’s epic black gi moment in Cobra Kai
The black gi is a symbol of Cobra Kai’s aggressive and no-mercy philosophy. So when Daniel LaRusso, who’s the embodiment of Miyagi-Do, wore it in the finale, the moment became seismic. Ralph Macchio’s character comes from a discipline that’s more about balance and peace, and in an interview with Collider, he reflected on this moment.
I remember Josh [Heald] directed that episode. There are those moments, and them as writers, they’re licking their chops, putting me in the black gi, me saying, “Cobra Kai [never dies].” This is these three nerds from Jersey saying, “Someday we’re going to get Ralph Macchio to say this and wear this.“
The actor acknowledged that the scene required him to “go all in,” and it was one of those character-defining arcs for Daniel. Him wearing the black gi was a powerful statement, about being supportive of Johnny against a common foe and being adaptive for the greater good.
What did Ralph Macchio refuse to do in Cobra Kai and why?
Even though Ralph Macchio embraced the black gi, there was one creative choice that he was not on board with at all, and the actor firmly rejected it. During filming, director Hayden Schlossberg wanted Macchio to adopt the Kreese position, which is a stance adopted by the ruthless Cobra Kai sensei, John Kreese, but the actor was firm in his response:
I think you’d probably have to ask the three guys, but I probably think they saw him in the black everything, and I’m like, “No.” I did get this from Hayden [Schlossberg], though. I’ll give you this: He said, “I want you to stand like this in the Kreese position.” I said, “Not happening. I’ll give you the black gi.”
Macchio’s refusal highlights how dedicated he is to preserving Daniel’s core identity. He was willing to wear the black gi, to symbolize unity and strategy, but adopting Kreese’s mannerism is where he drew the line. His decision underscores the key themes of Cobra Kai, i.e. growth doesn’t mean abandoning who you are.
Daniel LaRusso’s journey has always been about finding balance, so Macchio refusing to fully adopt all of Cobra Kai’s elements, even in a moment of an alliance, shows that his character remains true to his principles. The black gi scene is a testament to the character’s growth, while the actor’s unwillingness to adopt Kreese’s stance reflects his profound understanding of the role.
You can watch Cobra Kai on Netflix.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
