Cobra Kai is an upcoming American comedy-drama web television series based on The Karate Kid film series created by Robert Mark Kamen. The television series takes place thirty-four years after the original film and follows the reopening of the Cobra Kai karate dojo by Johnny Lawrence and the rekindling of his old rivalry with Daniel LaRusso. It was created by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald and stars William Zabka and Ralph Macchio, reprising their roles from the films. It is set to premiere on YouTube Red on May 2, 2018.
Video Cobra Kai
Premise
Cobra Kai takes place thirty-four years after the original film and follows a "down-and-out Johnny Lawrence, who seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo, reigniting his rivalry with a now successful Daniel LaRusso, who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi. The show is about two men addressing past demons and present frustrations the only way they know how: through karate."
Maps Cobra Kai
Cast and characters
Main
- William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence
- Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso
- Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso
- Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz
- Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso
- Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene
Recurring
- Nichole Brown as Aisha Robinson
- Griffin Santopietro as Anthony LaRusso
- Gianni Decenzo as Demitri
- Hannah Kepple as Moon
- Gabe Bowles as Tim
- Annalisa Cochrane as Yasmine
- Connor Murdock as Kev
- Denzel K Williams as Caleb
- Bo Mitchell as Brucks
- Vanessa Rubio as Carmen Diaz
- Diora Baird as Shannon Keene
Guest
- Ed Asner as Sid Weinberg
Production
Development
On August 4, 2017, it was announced that YouTube had given the production a series order to consist of a first season of ten half hour episodes. The series is set to be written and executive produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg. Hurwitz and Schlossberg will direct multiple episodes of the first season. The trio will be joined as executive producers by James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett of Overbrook Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Casting
Alongside the initial series announcement, it was reported that William Zabka and Ralph Macchio were cast in the series' lead roles reprising their iconic characters of Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso, respectively, from the original film.
On October 24, 2017, the rest of the main cast was announced and included Xolo Maridueña, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, and Courtney Henggeler. It was also reported that Ed Asner would be appearing in a guest role as Sid Weinberg described as "Johnny's reluctant stepfather, an old-school, hard-nosed, former studio mogul, who is tired of dealing with his stepson's failures."
On December 19, 2017, it was reported that Vanessa Rubio had joined the series in a recurring capacity.
Filming
In October 2017, principal photography for the series began in Atlanta, Georgia. Filming took place at various locations throughout that month at places including Union City, Georgia, Marietta, Georgia, and the Briarcliff Campus of Emory University.
Release
Marketing
In January 2018, the series was promoted at the annual Television Critics Association's winter press tour where YouTube's global head of original content Susanne Daniels described the show saying, "It is a half an hour format but I would call it a dramedy. I think it leans into the tone of the movies in that there are dramatic moments throughout. I think it's very faithful really in some ways to what the movie set about doing, the lessons imparted in the movie if you will. It's next generation Karate Kid."
On February 15, 2018, YouTube released the first teaser trailer for the series. On March 1, 2018, a second teaser trailer was released. A week later, a third teaser trailer was released. On March 21, 2018, the official trailer was released which included the announcement that the show would premiere on May 2, 2018.
Premiere
The series is scheduled to hold its world premiere on April 24, 2018 at the SVA Theatre in New York City, New York during the annual Tribeca Film Festival. Following the screening a discussion will be held with writers, directors, and executive producers Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz, and Josh Heald and series stars and executive producers William Zabka and Ralph Macchio.
On April 25, 2018, YouTube is set to partner with Fathom Events for special screenings of the first two episodes of the series at around 700 movie theaters across the United States. The event will also include a screening of the original film.
References
External links
- Official YouTube Channel
- Cobra Kai on IMDb
Source of the article : Wikipedia