The Karate Kid: Legends trailer offers a clearer picture of what's in store after the ending of Cobra Kai, and who plays a role in it. After a successful seven-year run, Cobra Kai will release part 3 of its final season on February 13, 2025. The epic showdown will be followed by the new Karate Kid movie, which comes out on May 30. So far, the Karate Kid: Legends cast suggests Ralph Macchio is the only actor from the popular Netflix series making a return, increasing speculation about how Cobra Kai might lead to the movie.
A big theory about Cobra Kai's ending believed it would bring revelations about Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi's past, ones which would then inform the movie. Notably, the direction of the show's latest episodes shed light on the connection between Kim Sum-Yung (C.S. Lee) and Chozen (Yuji Okumoto) — and, by extension, Miyagi. However, the movie's synopsis foreshadows a distancing from the infamous dojo. Though hopes were that Jackie Chan's Mr. Han would appear in the Cobra Kai finale, the Karate Kid: Legends trailer suggests his history with Miyagi is being saved for the movie.
Karate Kid: Legend's Trailer Confirms This Is The First Time Daniel LaRusso & Mr. Han Have Met
Meeting Han Could Help Redeem Miyagi In Daniel's Eyes
When Karate Kid: Legends confirmed the collaboration between Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan's characters, the 2010 remake was presented as a sequel — with Han's connection to Miyagi coming from Karate Kid II. This led to a theory about the possibility that Daniel and Mr. Han had already met, perhaps through Mr. Miyagi. Notably, Cobra Kai confirms Mr. Miyagi died at 86 years old, on November 15, 2011, creating a 22-year gap of unknown history between Daniel LaRusso and his mentor, which could have involved Han.
Although the show involved many bitter revelations, including Miyagi’s criminal record, the film could serve to redeem him, especially if he helped Han and his family.
Karate Kid: Legends' trailer debunks that theory, as Daniel asking Han if he knew Miyagi confirms he didn't know of their shared history, let alone had met Chan’s character before. Likely, the movie will continue Daniel's discovery of his mentor's hidden past, successfully connecting Karate Kid: Legends to Cobra Kai. Although the show involved many bitter revelations, including Miyagi’s criminal record, the film could serve to redeem him, especially if he helped Han and his family. Since the movie proposes a history unknown to Daniel, Cobra Kai will follow its own conclusion, which won't investigate Han's character yet.
Daniel LaRusso & Mr. Han's Meeting Confirms Jackie Chan Won't Cameo In Cobra Kai Season 6's Final Episodes
Cobra Kai Could Still Have One Last Epic Cameo With Hilary Swank
Since Han and Daniel will meet in Karate Kid: Legends, it's clear that Jackie Chan will not cameo in Cobra Kai season 6 part 3, as had been speculated. The Netflix show has shocked fans time and time again by bringing back many main and supporting legacy Karate Kid characters in creative ways. Though Mr. Han was originally envisioned as a different version of Mr. Miyagi, the 2010 remake being canonized brought an uproar of excitement about a possible cameo by popular actor, Chan, for the show's epic conclusion.
Even if Han will not make an appearance before Karate Kid: Legends,the show could still get one last cameo by having Julie Pierce appear in Cobra Kai's last episodes. Played by Hilary Swank, Julie is Miyagi's student in The Next Karate Kid. Although the movie got mixed reviews upon its release, Swank has since become a powerhouse actress, even winning an Oscar for her performance of an aspiring boxer in Million Dollar Baby — all of which suggest her return to the Karate Kid franchise could be a great one.
As Kwon's (Brandon H. Lee) death changes Cobra Kai's season 6 direction, the last episodes will have a lot to deal with, considering they also need to wrap up all character arcs. Daniel's main focus will probably be on uncovering the truth behind Miyagi's own incident in the tournament; helping put an end to Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith); and, hopefully, guiding his students to make peace with what happened. However, if Miyagi's past is not a pleasant one, the show might give Daniel LaRusso a bitter ending, perhaps showing him demoralized that karate can cause such tragedy.
Karate Kid: Legends is addressing one of the most divisive topics regarding the Netflix spinoff show, ending a debate before it can begin.
Because of all that the show needs to tackle, it's probably better that Chan doesn't appear in Cobra Kai’s ending. The show doesn't have enough time to properly present and develop his character, especially as his connections to Miyagi will be touched upon for the first time. Rather than having a small cameo way before the Karate Kid: Legends timeline, which would be anticlimactic, Jackie Chan's introduction deserves to be reserved for when it can have a bigger focus. Luckily, the Karate Kid: Legends trailer confirms Chan's return will happen after Cobra Kai ends.
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Karate Kid: Legends (2025) is a sequel to Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The film sees Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles, continuing the legacy of martial arts mentorship and rivalry in a new era of challenges and apprentices.
Release Date
May 30, 2025
Cast
Ralph Macchio
, Jackie Chan
, Ben Wang
, Ming-Na Wen
, Joshua Jackson
, Sadie Stanley
, Aramis Knight
, Wyatt Oleff
Director
Jonathan Entwistle
Writers
Robert Mark Kamen
, Christopher Murphey
, Rob Lieber
Studio(s)
Columbia Pictures
, Jerry Weintraub Productions
, Overbrook Entertainment
, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Custom Image by Cece Montemayor
English (US) ·