Cobra Kai creator pens down words of admiration for William Zabka directing an episode of the Netflix series 

William Zabka has long been recognized for his portrayal of Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai. But did you know he’s more than just a talented actor? Zabka’s directing skills were put to good use in one of Cobra Kai’s final episodes, and cast and crew alike praised his work.

Zabka didn’t just wake up one day and decide to direct. In fact, Jon Hurwitz, one of the co-creators of Cobra Kai, said,

“William Zabka: Director. And a damn great one he is. Most people just think of Billy as a badass actor. But did you know he was nominated for an Academy Award for a short he wrote and produced?”

Zabka’s journey as a filmmaker has always been impressive. His talents extend beyond acting; he’s a true creator with an eye for storytelling and detail.

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Jon Hurwitz’s praise for Zabka’s directing

According to Hurwitz, Zabka was always busy.

“We always wanted to find an opportunity for Billy to direct on Cobra Kai, but he was in so many scenes and had so many fights to train for that it was virtually impossible for him to have had enough time to prep given our insanely rushed and his insanely packed schedule.”

Despite the obstacles, the perfect opportunity came up in episode 612, filmed in Atlanta. With most of his acting duties behind him, Zabka finally had the time to focus on directing.

Filming the final episode in Atlanta wasn’t just about logistics; it was symbolic. Hurwitz noted that Zabka’s skills had been the foundation of the show’s success.

“It also just felt fitting to end with Billy since his talents were what inspired the show in the first place.”

Hurwitz was thrilled with the result:

“What a joy it was for the entire cast and crew. And we all love the episode he delivered.”

Though Hurwitz joked about budget constraints for the music choice in the opening scene, he emphasized that Zabka’s talent shone through.

Hurwitz added:

“We can’t wait for Billy to direct for us again in the future. Only next time, we promise to give him some serious fight scenes to attack. That’s his bread and butter, and we know they’ll kick as much ass as he did as Johnny Lawrence!”

For Xolo Mariduena, who played Miguel, his last day on set was emotional. He shared with Variety that his final scene was directed by Zabka.

“It was really cathartic and nice to be with him on my last day and get to hang out and hug him and close this chapter with him,”

Mariduena said.

“He was the one that I met before I even booked the job.”

Mariduena expressed gratitude for working with Zabka and Ralph Macchio.

“The biggest honor has been getting to work with these two and realize, kind of silently, that this is the end of this chapter for them as well,”

Mariduena said.

He credits much of his growth over the past seven years to their influence.

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Cobra Kai’s final episodes

Cobra Kai’s sixth and final season was split into three parts. The last five episodes were released on Netflix on February 13.

In a dramatic twist, the final episodes wrapped up many long-standing rivalries. John Kreese (Martin Kove) and Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) faced off one last time. Their confrontation ended with Silver’s yacht exploding, thanks to Kreese’s cigar.

High school characters Miguel and Tory had their moments of glory too, becoming tournament champions and leaving their legacies in the series.

The final episode brought the story back to its central character, Johnny Lawrence. His journey, from a down-on-his-luck handyman to a mentor and leader, became the heart of the show.

Cobra Kai creators Josh Heald and Jon Hurwitz included a playful nod to another iconic ‘80s franchise, Back to the Future. In the closing moments of the finale, a scene showed Heald and Hurwitz discussing a hypothetical alternate version of the movie with the cast and crew.

Throughout the series, Zabka’s performance as Johnny Lawrence has been the soul of Cobra Kai. His ability to balance humor, vulnerability, and badassery made the show a hit.

While Cobra Kai has ended, Zabka’s future as a filmmaker and director is wide open. Given the praise from his cast and crew, it’s clear we’ll be seeing more of his work soon.

William Zabka wasn’t just the face of Cobra Kai; he was also its creative force. His transition to directing shows how multi-talented he is. With his experience and skills, Zabka is bound to continue impressing fans both on and off the screen.

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