Cobra Kai showrunners explain what connects the Netflix show and the new Karate Kid: Legends

Karate Kid: Legends is the latest chapter from the Miyagi-verse after Netflix's much-loved Cobra Kai. Now, the showrunners reveal what connects these two projects.

The Karate Kid fans will soon witness another teen prodigy leading a film. This time, the teenager will learn karate after honing the skills in kung fu. Jackie Chan will return as Mr. Han, previously seen in the 2010 film. Ralph Macchio will join him as Daniel LaRusso, to guide Li Fong on his way to success.

Machhio, who appeared in the very first Karate Kid film, hasn't been distant from the franchise. He received love from the audience for his return through Cobra Kai. This Netflix series concluded the renewed character arcs of LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence to offer a satisfying end to their known rivalry. It seems like LaRusso is not done with this universe since there's a link to Machhio's latest Karate Kid-adjacent stint with his upcoming one.

“It’s technically a ‘Karate Kid’ movie. You know, that’s our show’s ‘Cobra Kai,’ and the commonality is they both have Daniel LaRusso. That movie is kind of branching off the tree from the Jackie Chan movie of 2010, and you’ll have to see how they tie those things together,”

Cobra Kai showrunners Josh Heald and Jon Hurwitz told The Direct during their conversation at the 2025 Saturn Awards.

Cobra Kai showrunners shed light on their show's connection with Karate Kid: Legends

Karate Kid: Legends will show two worlds colliding since Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso will share the screen for the first time. The former appeared only in the 2010 film, and the latter has been a part of the canon since its inception. With the latter also being in the spin-off series, the Karate Kid fans were reportedly wondering whether the film would acknowledge the events from the Netflix show.

Thankfully, the Cobra Kai showrunners spoke about this subject to put their worries to rest. Josh Heald and Jon Hurwitz wanted to ensure that there were no contradictions between the two projects. Otherwise, the devoted fans will be disappointed with the continuity errors.

"We were knee-deep in making the final season of 'Cobra Kai' when we found out about that movie [Karate Kid: Legends] happening. And you know, we just wanted to make sure that there were no contradictions so that if fans watch it, they're like, whoa. 'Cobra Kai' said this, and this movie said that. And Ralph Machio made sure of that. You know, there was nothing like that."

Here's what Ralph Macchio said about Karate Kid: Legends after Cobra Kai

Ralph Macchio at Netflix's "Cobra Kai" Series Finale World Premiere - Source: Getty

Cobra Kai showrunners reveal that Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso is the connecting link between their hit series and the upcoming Karate Kid: Legends. Macchio has also shared his view on this topic and the lasting legacy of Pat Morita's iconic character.

During the Cobra Kai premiere in July 2024, he told People magazine,

"Mr. Miyagi was the secret sauce, and that's why we've laced Miyagi throughout the Cobra Kai show, and he will have a presence somewhere in other chapters as well. To me, this was just about carrying the honesty and truth of Daniel LaRusso and what Miyagi, his mentor, meant to him and paying it forward."

Jonathan Entwistle, who helms Karate Kid: Legends, echoed the sentiment of common spirit as he told EW,

"I've had some really detailed conversations with the 'Cobra Kai' team about just cool stuff that we can do in the movie and can make this whole thing feel holistic. And obviously, Ralph is really, really close to it after all those years on 'Cobra Kai,' and they've been involved in little steps along the way."

Karate Kid: Legends is scheduled for a theatrical release on May 30, 2025.