The Karate Kid universe is expanding with the upcoming release of Karate Kid: Legends. The movie sees a kung-fu prodigy, Li Fong (Ben Wang), become unexpectedly involved in the karate world when he moves to New York City and gets the attention of a karate championship. As a result, he falls under the mentorship of former Karate Kid series icons Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). The movie is directed by Jonathan Entwistle and features Wang, Chan, Macchio, Sadie Stanley, Aramis Knight, Joshua Jackson, Li Jun Li, and Wyatt Oleff.

While The Karate Kid franchise began over 40 years ago, the universe has been rejuvenated through the Netflix series Cobra Kai. The series traces the legacy of Daniel and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) as they find themselves being martial arts rivals again in their middle-age years. The show was well-received and successful on Netflix, building up more hype for Karate Kid: Legends. But as the new franchise film releases in theaters, it begs the question of whether the movie is a Cobra Kai sequel.

Karate Kid: Legends Is Technically A Cobra Kai Sequel In The Franchise Timeline

It Takes Place Three Years After Cobra Kai

In the Karate Kid timeline, Legends takes place after the events of Cobra Kai season 6. This was confirmed in a November 2024 interview, where Macchio revealed that the upcoming film would take place three years after the events of the Netflix series. In a sense, this makes it a “sequel” in that it continues Daniel’s story, and it chronologically succeeds Cobra Kai. In this same interview, the star spoke about the importance of “protecting the Daniel LaRusso character” and figuring out how to continue his story, in a full statement below:

It was not a quick decision, because it was about protecting the Daniel LaRusso character, and finding where he would be at that point, and then protecting the whole legacy in the Miyagi-verse. Once we were able to line that up, for the Cobra Kai story to lead into the new film — even though they’re separate ecosystems — it all made sense for me. Then, working with Jackie was just super exciting. I started this on the big screen. How cool is it to get it back to the big screen?

Karate Kid: Legends Is Not A True Sequel To Cobra Kai

And Its Director Knows That

Karate Kid: Legends is far from a true sequel to Cobra Kai. It was not developed by Netflix and has no direct involvement of the show’s creators, Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg. Daniel is in the movie, but early reactions note that he is more of a supporting character to Wang’s well-received lead role. Barring any unexpected cameos, he is also the only returning cast member from Cobra Kai. William Zabka is explicitly not returning as Johnny Lawrence.

While Daniel was the original protagonist of The Karate Kid, both he and Johnny are essential to the fabric of its conflict. They are certainly both vital to Cobra Kai, as the show’s whole plot hinged on the two coming back as rivals after many years. As such, even if Karate Kid: Legends is set after the events of Cobra Kai and is thus a successor, it cannot be a true sequel without Johnny involved.

Legends director Entwistle also clearly does not think that the movie is a direct sequel to Cobra Kai. In a recent interview with Collider, the director explicitly said that his film “is not a Cobra Kai movie.” Rather, it is set “within the Karate Kid universe‘ and is “another chapter in the story.” Entwistle also likened it to “another graphic novel in the sequence.” The director’s quote further confirms that the movie is not a sequel to Cobra Kai. Entwistle’s full explanation can be found below:

There are many, many seasons of Cobra Kai. This is not a Cobra Kai movie. It’s within the Karate Kid universe, and it’s got threads of homage to the absolute huge success that that show was for the franchise, but it’s the next piece. Just like Cobra Kai was the next piece to the movies, this is the next piece to the overall franchise. It’s another chapter in the story. It’s another graphic novel in the sequence.

Cobra Kai Is Still Mᴀssively Important To Karate Kid: Legends

Legends Would Not Exist Without The Show

Even if the Wang-led film is not truly a Cobra Kai sequel, the television series is hugely important to this new movie. Cobra Kai hit Netflix seven years ago, and not only did it inspire a new generation of Karate Kid audiences back in 2018, but it managed to maintain interest throughout six seasons. It became one of the platform’s key series, generating positive reviews and buzz. Because of this, Karate Kid: Legends owes a lot to the Netflix series. Without Cobra Kai, it wouldn’t exist.

Source: Collider