Summary
As the Miyagi-verse expands with the upcomingKarate Kid: Legendsmovie, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for Netflix to end its hit show,Cobra Kai. While the six-season length is considered the norm for any TV show, the martial arts comedy-drama’s finale arrives at a time that wouldn’t just benefit itself, but also the upcoming 2025 crossover film.
Karate Kid: Legendswould serve as a sequel to the originalKarate Kidtrilogy from the ’80s, as well as the 2010 remake. However, it’s expected not to be a direct sequel toCobra Kai, even though it takes place after the events ofCobra Kaiin the same universe. But it makes a lot of sense forthe Netflix showto end its sixth and final season in February 2025, right in time to build up to the film’s release on Jul 12, 2025.
Cobra Kai’sFinale Is Coming At The Perfect Time
Daniel LaRusso Bids Goodbye ToCobra Kai
Ralph Macchiocontinues his iconic stint as Daniel LaRusso, from the originalKarate Kidfilms to the ongoingCobra Kai, which is nearing its end. His role extends further through theKarate Kid: Legendsmovie, which is expected to take place three years after the events ofCobra Kai. Daniel LaRusso will come face-to-face withJackie Chan’s Mr. Hanfrom the contemporary remake, tying together two generations. Inan interview withVariety, the 63-year-old actor spoke about why the finale ofCobra Kaiseems to be coming at the right time and is an opportunity to land it, but in a great way.
It was not a quick decision, because it was about protecting the Daniel LaRusso character, and finding where he would be at that point, and then protecting the whole legacy in the Miyagi-verse. Once we were able to line that up, for the ‘Cobra Kai’ story to lead into the new film — even though they’re separate ecosystems — it all made sense for me.
Cobra KaiWill Not Continue IntoKarate Kid: Legends
So, it seems clear that theCobra Kaistory, which began with Johnny Lawrence and Miguel Diaz, will conclude with Season 6 and not continue into theKarate Kid: Legendsmovieas a direct continuation of the series. However, the show’s creators, John Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg, have hinted at possible spin-offs or prequels, such as a Miyagi-centered story, in the near or distant future.
With just five episodes left inCobra Kai’s three-part Season 6conclusion, the priority for the upcomingKarate Kid: Legendsfilm is clear: it aims to bridge the 2010Karate Kidreboot with the Miyagi-verse timeline. Interestingly, only three in-universe years have passed inCobra Kai, despite the show taking nearly eight years to complete due to the pandemic, its transition from YouTube to Netflix, and the writers' strike in between.
Daniel LaRusso’s Future In The Miyagi-Verse
Cobra KaiFinale Will Wrap Up Important Storylines
So, what does it mean for thecharacters ofCobra Kaiand their fates? Daniel is questioning his lifelong relationship with Karate, influenced by his wife Amanda’s perspective on how Karate has consumed their lives. He may step back from Karate, especially with younger characters like Sam and Miguel heading off to college. This could mean he returns to running LaRusso Auto, and a newKarate Kid Legendsstory might follow up. However, his presence as a lead in the upcoming movie with Jackie Chan hints that he might not be retiring after all.
How Will Daniel LaRusso Join Mr. Han?
Essentially, the upcoming movie would involve Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han probably pulling Daniel LaRusso out of retirement to train a new student, expected to be played by Ben Wang. This would imitate Johnny Lawrence’s reluctant return to teachingKarate inCobra Kai. The movie will likely feature a lot of such nostalgic callbacks and Easter eggs, such as the All-Valley tournaments, while also connecting the rest of theCobra KaiandKarate Kidfranchises.
MoreCobra KaiIn Or AfterKarate Kid: Legends?
Johnny, Daniel, & Miguel Might Meet For The Last Time
Not much has been revealed about the upcoming film so far regarding its plot or characters, but we can expect Daniel LaRusso’s character to stay true to what we’ve seen in the rest of the franchise. However, the film’s writers and directors are not the same team behindCobra Kai, so while continuity can be expected, it’s unclear how much of it will be used. Even the best of TV shows always run the risk of going on for too long and potentially disappointing their audiences with an underwhelming finale. This is why the timing seems perfect forCobra Kaito wrap up the stories ofJohnny, Daniel, and Miguel,and make way for a fresh start in the upcoming film while retaining some iconic franchise names.
Proper Break BetweenKarate Kid: Legends&Cobra Kai
In terms of marketing, the five remaining episodes ofCobra Kaiarriving on Netflix by February 2025 is a solid move by its makers. This would leave just a three-month gap between the show’s ending and theKarate Kid: Legendspremiere date. This gap seems like the perfect amount of time – not too long that the show fades from discussion, yet not too short that the audience is overwhelmed with too much Miyagi-verse content – hitting the sweet spot.
Moreover, the best thing here is that the three-part release model of theCobra Kaifinale eventalmost works like a trilogy of sorts. TheKarate Kid: Legendsmovie might just mark Ralph Macchio’s final appearance as Daniel LaRusso, unless Netflix comes up with an idea for aCobra Kaiprequel, sequel, or spin-off to extend his stay in his iconic role.
