The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Johnny, now in his 50s, has led a life full of ups and downs — mostly downs. Viewers can imagine that Daniel’s triumphant kick in the original film’s ultimate bout was the beginning of his woes.
Johnny is offered a chance to rebuild his life — and upset that of his old rival, now a successful car dealer.
Karate still takes center stage, along with a more general look at martial arts training and teenage relationships — all hallmarks of the original films. But the show has an off-kilter humor that stems from Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg.
With a cast of mainly young actors, YouTube hopes “Cobra Kai” can earn a following with a generation whose parents remember the first films, but often don’t understand what makes their own kids tick.
“There was something especially about bullying that looked very 2018 to us,” said Heald.
“We had to show restraint. We had to pull ourselves back and resist the will to just swim in a ‘Karate Kid’ fan bath.”
YouTube has already produced some series for YouTube Red, including a fresh take on the popular “Step Up” street dance films. The first episode of “Step Up: High Water,” put online in late January, has so far been seen 12 million times.
But those shows were squarely aimed at the under-25 crowd. With “Cobra Kai,” YouTube is hoping to also play the nostalgia card, and win over a much bigger audience.
