Although Karate Kid: Legends will be the first movie from the franchise since 2010, I really hope the upcoming legacy sequel is the beginning of a new era for the martial arts series rather than just tying up the loose ends of previous installments. Although there are no other confirmed projects beyond Legends to be added to the same continuity as the Karate Kid movies and Cobra Kai, the saga still has a lot of untapped potential that needs to be explored in more feature-length productions. If not, it will be a huge waste.

Karate Kid: Legends‘ story is set to connect Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han to the franchise’s main canon, as the character was originally intended to be a rebooted version of Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi in the 2010 remake of 1984’s The Karate Kid. However, even though Ralph Macchio is reprising his role as Daniel Macchio in Legends, it has been made very clear that the ending of Cobra Kai won’t be a huge factor. Although it may seem strange to keep the Netflix show at arm’s length, that could (and should) all change in any movies that follow Karate Kid: Legends.

Karate Kid: Legends Should Set Up Sequels About Other Karate Kid Characters

Legends 2 & beyond could recall other established franchise icons

Although Ben Wang’s Li Fong will be a major part of Karate Kid: Legends‘ storyline, the movie’s Legends subтιтle is a reference to the presence of Daniel and Mr. Han. I’m sure it will be great to see Chan’s character return and find out what he’s been up to all these years and what has triggered his comeback, but I think it’s unlikely that more than one movie will be required to fulfill all this. That being said, that doesn’t mean more Legends movies can’t be made that can bring back other franchise icons.

Cobra Kai characters like Mary Mouser’s Samantha LaRusso could return in leading roles in Legends sequels, as well as figures like William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence. Legends sequels can even recall characters who haven’t been seen in years, just like Mr. Han. Hilary Swank’s Julie Pierce and Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker are just two examples, but there are others. Macchio wouldn’t need to be present each time, but Li Fong could learn something from each of the returning icons on his journey to becoming an expert martial artist. I think this idea for a semi-anthological Legends movie series could really thrive.

Karate Kid: Legends’ Sequels Can Be More Connected To Cobra Kai

Cobra Kai is over, but the characters can still return in Legends movies

It makes sense that Karate Kid: Legends won’t properly acknowledge Cobra Kai, even though the movie is set just three years after Johnny’s victory over Sensei Wolf (Lewis Tan) in the Sekai Taikai. The Netflix show has told a complete redemption story for Zabka’s character over six seasons, so most of the characters involved need time to breathe before they can be recalled for sequels. Plus, the return of Mr. Han offers something exciting enough without the need to overcrowd Karate Kid: Legends‘ cast with established franchise stars.

Once Karate Kid: Legends has been released, the saga’s new era will be in full swing. So, it won’t be distracting to delve back into the vast array of characters from Cobra Kai and the other Karate Kid movies. Legends sequels can make more solid connections to the franchise’s sprawling timeline, because the upcoming movie will have proven that it wasn’t only relying on the success of Cobra Kai. Of course, nostalgia will still be an element of Karate Kid: Legends‘ presumed success, so sequels continuing to shy away from nods to the past would be pretty off-brand.

There Has Never Been A Better Time For The Karate Kid Franchise To Expand

Cobra Kai’s success proves that audiences aren’t done with the Karate Kid universe

I don’t think anyone ever expected Karate Kid to come back in the way that it has. Even the original trilogy never got any better than the first movie, and the attempt to reinvigorate the franchise by replacing Ralph Macchio with Hilary Swank in 1994’s The Next Karate Kid didn’t have the desired effect. It took until 2018 and the debut of Cobra Kai for everyone to fall in love with the franchise, either for the first time or all over again.

Since then, all eyes have been on the Karate Kid universe, and the saga is taking full advantage of that by quickly following Cobra Kai‘s ending with another movie. If there are plans to make more Karate Kid movies or Cobra Kai spinoffs, the time is now. If the franchise loses momentum, then it may not be possible to regain its place in popular culture to which it has so unexpectedly returned. There is a perfect framework already in place thanks to Karate Kid: Legends, and greenlighting a sequel can keep the ball rolling.