The TV landscape may have reboot fever, but here's one that might actually be fun. YouTube Red is reviving the Karate Kid story with Cobra Kai, a new take on an old saga. The series stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, who will be reprising their roles, as we see Zabka's Johnny teaching a new generation of fighters.
Those veterans will be joined by newcomer Xolo Maridueña (Parenthood) as Miguel Diaz, a victim of bullying in high school who finds sanctuary under Johnny’s tutelage; Tanner Buchanan (Designated Survivor) Johnny’s son, Robby Keene, who does his best not to follow in his father’s footsteps; Courtney Henggeler (Mom) as Daniel’s wife and business partner Amanda; Mary Mouser (Freakish) as their “firecracker” daughter, Samantha; and guest-star Ed Asner playing Johnny’s old-school stepfather,
Cobra Kai comes from writers Josh Heald (Hot Tub Time Machine) and Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (Harold & Kumar), who executive produce the series with Susan Ekins, Will Smith, James Lassiter, and Caleeb Pinkett. And as was announced today, the series debuts May 2nd on YouTube Red; check out the first full trailer below:
Here's the full synopsis:
In the highly-anticipated return of two iconic characters, the arch-rivals from the legendary Karate Kid film series reunite over 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. Now living in the affluent hills of Encino, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) leads an enviable life with his beautiful family, while running a successful string of car dealerships throughout the valley. Meanwhile, his high school adversary, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), whose life has taken a rocky turn, seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. Their lives inevitably become intertwined and the rivalry is reignited, setting forth the next generation of “karate kids” in COBRA KAI, a YouTube Red Original Series. COBRA KAI is produced by Overbrook Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television.