Fans of Cobra Kai have been asking for a Hilary Swank cameo for years, but it is much more likely to happen in Karate Kid: Legends. The first three Karate Kid movies focused on the relationship between Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi and Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso. However, Macchio did not return for the fourth Karate Kid movie, which meant that Mr. Miyagi needed a new student. The story of 1994’s The Next Karate Kid follows Mr. Miyagi, who meets angry teenager Julie, who is played by Swank and is the granddaughter of his former military commander.

Just like him and Daniel in the first three movies, Mr. Miyagi and Julie form a special bond in The Next Karate Kid. However, their relationship was not further explored in other Karate Kid films. The only Karate Kid movie since The Next Karate Kid was the 2010 reboot starring Jackie Chan. However, that will change with the upcoming Karate Kid: Legends, which will star both Macchio and Chan. Since Karate Kid: Legends is merging two eras of the long-running franchise, it is perfectly set up to include a Hilary Swank cameo.

Mr. Miyagi Brings Daniel & Mr. Han Together In Karate Kid: Legends, So A Hilary Swank Cameo Would Make Sense

Swank’s Julie Was Mr. Miyagi’s Student In The Next Karate Kid

For a long time, the original Karate Kid movies and the 2010 reboot were not considered to be connected. However, Karate Kid: Legends brings Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han, major characters from two different eras of the franchise, together. The trailer for Karate Kid: Legends teases that Daniel and Mr. Han both knew Mr. Miyagi. While Daniel’s relationship with his former mentor was told across three films, it is currently unknown exactly how Mr. Han knew Mr. Miyagi.

Regardless, it is clear that Mr. Miyagi is the bridge that allows Daniel and Mr. Han to connect in Karate Kid: Legends as they work together to train a new student, Li Fong. Therefore, Karate Kid: Legends presents the perfect opportunity to also feature Swank’s Julie. Even though The Next Karate Kid was not a particularly well-received Karate Kid movie, Julie is still an important character in the franchise, since she was also a student of Mr. Miyagi. Because of this, it would be disappointing if Swank didn’t appear in Karate Kid: Legends.

A Movie Cameo Could Be More Appealing To Hilary Swank

Swank’s Long-Awaited Return Could Happen In Karate Kid: Legends

Even though the 2010 reboot received respectable reviews and was also a commercial success, there were no indications that any future Karate Kid movies were going to be made. This is why it was so exciting when Cobra Kai debuted on Netflix and brought back iconic characters such as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. For years, fans of Cobra Kai have been asking for a Swank cameo, which would reveal what happened to Julie after the events of The Next Karate Kid. While this would be exciting, it has never happened.

There is a chance that Swank could appear in Cobra Kai’s final episodes, but it’s much more likely that she would want to return for Karate Kid: Legends. Karate Kid: Legends is honoring the franchise’s history, so it’s a great opportunity for Swank to reprise her role as Julie. Additionally, a movie cameo is likely much more appealing to Swank than a television cameo. Therefore, even though it is unknown whether Swank will ever reprise her Karate Kid role, the upcoming Karate Kid: Legends is perhaps the best opportunity she will ever have to return as Julie.

The Karate Kid Story Won’t Feel Complete Unless Hilary Swank Returns Somewhere

Swank Not Returning In Karate Kid: Legends Would Be Disappointing

It’s great that Daniel and Mr. Han will both have prominent roles in Karate Kid: Legends. They are without a doubt more popular Karate Kid characters than Julie, but it would still be disappointing if Swank never returns to the franchise. Karate Kid: Legends has the difficult task of honoring the franchise’s past while also paving a new path forward. The direction the movie seems to be taking with Daniel and Mr. Han is exciting, but its story won’t feel complete if Swank doesn’t also reprise her role.

The Next Karate Kid is an entry in the franchise that cannot just be ignored or forgotten. Despite the reviews, The Next Karate Kid is still special because it was Morita’s last Karate Kid movie. Therefore, if one of Karate Kid: Legends’ goals is to honor Morita, then it only makes sense for it to feature the student that Mr. Miyagi taught in his final appearance. If Swank doesn’t return as Julie in Karate Kid: Legends, she will likely never reprise her role, which would be a shame.