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Cobra Kai revived The Karate Kid franchise and once again turned into a global phenomenon. The martial arts series premiered in 2018 and is now ending with the release of the final part of its sixth season.
However, fans need not worry as they will still have something to look forward to in the form of Karate Kid: Legends, the next installment in the film franchise, which will hit the theaters just a few months after the show's conclusion.
While the brief gap between the two projects is bound to excite the audience, it also puts undue pressure on Karate Kid: Legends. Cobra Kai is a highly acclaimed series, expected to end on a high note.
With the movie arriving just months after the show’s finale, it will have to live up to Netflix's legacy and fulfill the mounting expectations of the fans.
The small release gap between Cobra Kai season part 3 and Karate Kid: Legends puts undue pressure on the film
Netflix is releasing the sixth and final season of Cobra Kai in three parts, comprising five episodes each. The last part is set to premiere on the streamer on February 13, 2025. Considering the show’s popularity, the audience will have a hard time processing its ending.
Over three months later, The Karate Kid franchise will return to the screens with Karate Kid: Legends, slated to be released theatrically on May 30, 2025. The film unites Mr. Han, played by Jackie Chan, with Daniel LaRusso, played by Ralph Macchio, who will continue his journey from the Netflix series.
The movie has an opportunity to capitalize on the Netflix show's success, as series fans are expected to flock to the theaters. However, the film also needs to live up to the expectations and standards set by the series, otherwise, it will hurt the franchise.
Cobra Kai resurrected the martial arts franchise after decades, and its success paved the way for another movie installment. However, if the film fails to impress fans, it might put the franchise’s future in jeopardy.
Had the release gap between the show and the film a bit longer, it would not have put pressure on Legends, as viewers would have seen it as a separate entity. But since Cobra Kai is ending just three months before the film's release, fans’ emotions will be attached to the movie, which raises the stakes.
Karate Kid: Legends is connected to the Netflix series
Though the film and show have different settings, they are based in the same universe. The events of Karate Kid: Legends take place three years after those of Cobra Kai, with Daniel LaRusso heading to New York and teaming up with Mr. Han to train a young kung fu prodigy.
The film’s director, Jonathan Entwistle, has confirmed he had discussions with the Netflix series’ creators to retain some storylines in the movie that could connect it with the series. He said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly:
“I was excited about the idea that the films and the series can all be part of one family. 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.”
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Hence, the audience will surely get some callbacks to the show while watching the upcoming film, raising their expectations. Karate Kid: Legends also stars Ben Wang, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Joshua Jackson, Ming-Na Wen, Aramis Knight, Sadie Stanley, and Danny McBride.
Cobra Kai season 6, part 3, arrives on Netflix on February 13, 2025. Karate Kid: Legends will be released in theatres on May 30, 2025.
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