Throughout its thrilling six-season run, the creators of Cobra Kai, namely Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, skillfully reintroduced a remarkable array of Karate Kid alumni, yet one prominent figure was noticeably absent: Hilary Swank. Known for her compelling portrayal of Julie Pierce, Mr. Miyagi’s latest student in The Next Karate Kid, Swank’s absence left many fans yearning for her return to this beloved franchise.
Despite The Next Karate Kid not being the most popular installment among fans, there was still a palpable excitement surrounding the idea of Swank reprising her role. In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Heald revealed that they had indeed reached out to Swank’s representatives while preparing for the sixth and final season, hoping to explore the potential of her return to the series.
“We did reach out in the very early days before the season to see if there was a path [for her to appear],” shared Heald. “We had an inkling of an idea about how she could come into this story and not have to commit to 10 episodes or something. It was going to feel like it could be a one- or two-episode arc, similar to what we did with Elisabeth Shue, where you can bring Ali back in at a pivotal moment and affect an important relationship.“
Regrettably, the creators never had the chance to present their vision to Swank, as she graciously declined the opportunity to meet. “On her end, it was very respectful, but we never got that opportunity to sit down and pour our heart out the way that we typically do when we bring back characters from the legacy,” Heald explained. “She was just in a place where she wasn’t looking to do that. She had had babies. I think she was in production on something at the time, and it was a respectful pass on even the idea of a meeting. She didn’t want us to go through the trouble of flying out to her and putting our heart on the sleeve because it just wasn’t something she was ready to do at that moment.“
The Miyagi-verse may not be finished, as the creators are contemplating additional spinoffs of the series, which could include a prequel dedicated to the life and teachings of Mr. Miyagi. However, as of now, there has been no official confirmation regarding these exciting prospects.
Unfortunately, the recently released film Karate Kid: Legends did not quite meet the high expectations set by the captivating Cobra Kai series. Our critic, Chris Bumbray, noted that the movie lacked the vibrancy and energy that has become synonymous with the Netflix series. “All of this is too bad because Wang is a likeable lead, and his chemistry with Chan is terrific,” he expressed. “This is cookie-cutter stuff, and it’s a major disappointment because—as much as people slam it now—the Jaden Smith-led Karate Kid had some heft and heart. This has none, with it just another throwaway movie destined for a quick turnaround to streaming. The franchise deserves a lot better.” For more insights, you can read the full review right here.
Entertainment Weekly
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