Simon Thompson is a freelance journalist, producer and broadcaster originally from the UK but now living and working in Los Angeles. He has worked for, and with, the biggest brands in the industry including Reuters, E! News, BBC, ITN, Euronews, Sky News, Digital Spy, IGN, SciFi Now magazine and more. Simon has covered everything from red carpets to the Oscars as well as having created, scripted, produced and presented a range of primetime entertainment news shows on major networks and interviewed the biggest names in the industry. Simon is also currently developing his first documentaries and feature film projects. He can be found on Twitter @ShowbizSimon and you can see more of his work on his website. Www.thisissimonthompson.com The author is a Forbes contributor.
The opinions expressed are those of the writer. ‘The Karate Kid’ took $90.82 million at the domestic box office against an $8 million budget – adjusted for inflation the figure increases to $248.12 million. The Karate Kid is heading back to the big screen for one night only – and it’s finding a whole new life online. The revival of the classic, a joint venture between and YouTube, will screen in nearly 700 movie theaters on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. The screening event will also feature an exclusive advance screening of the first two episodes from the new YouTube Red Original Series, Cobra Kai, based on the Karate Kid franchise.
The Karate Kid was an instant commercial success on its release in 1984. It took $90.82 million at the domestic box office against an $8 million budget – adjusted for inflation the figure increases to $248.12 million. To celebrate the new series, I caught up with The Karate Kid’s Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, aka Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, to talk about the film’s legacy and YouTube Red’s Cobra Kai.
Simon Thompson: The Karate Kid transcended being a hit movie and became a pop culture phenomenon and the dialogue has become part of our lexicon. Ralph Macchio: The one thing that I felt was, at least when we were making the movie, Pat Morita and I had the potential for creating something special. It was more from the aspect of how easy it was to work with him and how it all naturally fell into place. As an actor, scenes you can very often take a lot of effort and energy and come out spectacular but then there are others that are effortless. The Daniel and Miyagi dynamic was very easy and it just unfolded right. As far as the movie itself, we wondered if it would work, we wondered if all the elements come together or would it be too corny? We wondered if the bully was too cartoonish or if the ending was too much?
Seriously, you have no idea. We just trusted it. We had John Avildsen as our director and a great script but to say did I think that in 2018 I’d be talking about this with you? The pop culture side of it is even more unbelievable.
Ralph Macchio
That fact that phrases from the movie have become part of the lexicon, as you said, is incredible and wonderful in the same breath. William Zabka: It was my first film so, at the time, I had nothing to compare it to. So, from me, if nobody ever saw the film, if it went no further than the experience of learning the martial arts and filming it, it was still the highlight of my life. Nobody could have ever seen the course that The Karate Kid took. When you’re 18-years-old, you can’t imagine that 30 years later you’ll be talking about the same movie. It felt like every actor in the story in the show really personified the characters in such a way that it even lived off camera.
There was something organically happening, in the energy of all the relationships and everything beyond. I think the month-long rehearsals added to that too. It was like the cameras were capturing an event that was happening and not just a movie.
We knew it was special but not this kind of special. I don’t know what to attribute it to exactly but it has snowballed, became part of popular culture and it has touched so many lives. Actors Ralph Macchio and William Zabka of ‘Cobra Kai’ speak onstage during the YouTube Red Originals Presentation in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo: Frederick M.
Brown/Getty Images) ST: Cobra Kai can’t be the first time that a revival, reboot or continuation of The Karate Kid has come up. WZ: I think the writers and creators of the show took a really smart and fresh approach that’s not just nostalgia, it’s very relevant for today. If the show started now and there never was The Karate Kid, the show would still work.
It’s such a sacred film to so many people. It’s a memory that they’ve seen 100 times, so to toy with the legacy of it, I think everybody’s a little bit gun shy. Ralph and I have both been pitched different versions of some kind of a sequel or continuation over the years but none of them felt right. They were all weighted too far one way or the other and this one just kind of threads the needle, it felt safe and it felt right. When I left the meeting where these guys pitched it to me, I walked away and I didn’t send a text to Ralph because I didn’t want to jump the gun.
It felt like an old girlfriend coming back and wanting to try it again. It was like the Johnny in me just woke up from a deep sleep, opened one crusty eye and saw a vision of Ali standing in the corner. What they pitched to me hit a nerve, it felt right and then they got Ralph and the same thing happened to him. Our pitch meeting to YouTube was actually April 25th of last year which, unbelievably, happens to be the same day as our one night premiere of the original movie for Fathom. RM: I feel this is the exact right time. The original Karate Kid was a combination of the right time, the right cast, the right filmmakers, the right story and the right summer.
This feels that same way to me now for the launch of the Cobra Kai series. Everyone from the taxi driver on the street to the guy at the bakery on the corner, to a studio executive and a top writer, everyone has their own idea and their own take on what would work. I’ve had everything from Daniel having his own kid who is in trouble in New York and he becomes the Miyagi for his kid to maybe Elisabeth Shue coming back as Ali and she’d be with Johnny but Daniel has a kid with her. Seriously, we’ve had a million ideas come our way. Cobra Kai is, we feel, the right story with the right people at the right time and being available the right way.
ST: How was it going back to the world of The Karate Kid? RM: It was surreal just being called Daniel Larusso again. Mind you, I’ve been Daniel Larusso on street for the past 34 years so it wasn’t it wasn’t completely out of the realm of something I’ve heard before. Even Billy and I looking at each other was surreal. They show some flashbacks throughout the show and there’s footage that’s never been seen before from the original shoot intercut into the story, it’s amazing. First of all, you’ve got to get past how awesome it is to see yourself at 21-years-old as opposed to 51, but once you get past that it’s just unbelievable. Miyagi is woven into Daniel’s life and his family’s life in so many ways.
If Daniel loses his focus or is not in a place that he should be, the Miyagi-isms have to be woven into these stories. For me, it’s almost like working without my partner but they’ve done a beautiful job. ST: Is Cobra Kai a one-off or are we looking at this as the start of something bigger? WZ: Absolutely something bigger.
The ending of the first season is really the turning point. If this was a script, this would be page ten of the story and this is where it all starts to happen. Season one is really setting the stage for a long run.
Well, for as long as people are interested. RM: We are hoping to do this for many seasons. The arc is really a film cut up into 10 half hour parts but the stage is set for more, absolutely. That’s the plan. ST: William, you mentioned Elisabeth Shue earlier. Can we expect to see her show up at all? WZ: Well, you have to sign into YouTube Red to find that answer out but she’s certainly a big part of Johnny Lawrence.
The origin of The Karate Kid was really a fight over a girl. She’s a part of Johnny, I can tell you that much. RM: Everything is on the table and everything is being discussed. There will be surprises peppered throughout and hopefully, moving forward, even bigger and better ones. It all depends on how the stories drive forward and in what direction. Tickets for Cobra Kai: Premiere Feat.
The Karate Kid can be purchased via t or at the box office of participating theaters. Simon Thompson is a freelance producer (TV & Digital), film & entertainment journalist and broadcaster. From the UK, he now lives and works in LA. RECOMMENDED BY FORBES.
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Columbia Pictures Bullying of some kind is a pretty much a universal high school experience. At one point or another, you were probably made to feel like an inadequate loser, and most of the time you couldn’t do anything about it. That’s why The Karate Kid resonated so much with kids in the ’80s and beyond. Daniel LaRusso was the quintessential embattled geek with a chip on his shoulder who, through the wisdom and teaching of Mr. Miyagi, found the courage and skill to stand up to his bullies and defeat Cobra Kai (insert triumphant fist pump here). The Karate Kid made ’80s icons of Ralph Macchio and Elisabeth Shue, so let’s see what they and the rest of the cast have been up to since Daniel crane kicked his way to victory.
Contents. Plot In 1984, 17-year-old Daniel LaRusso moves with his mother Lucille from to,. Their apartment's handyman is an eccentric but kindly and humble immigrant named Keisuke Miyagi. Daniel befriends Ali Mills, an attractive high school cheerleader, which draws the attentions of her arrogant ex-boyfriend Johnny Lawrence, a skilled practitioner from the 'Cobra Kai' dojo, where he studies an unethical and vicious form of karate. Johnny and his Cobra Kai gang continually torment Daniel, savagely beating him until Mr. Miyagi intervenes and single-handedly defeats the five attackers with ease. Amazed, Daniel asks Mr.
Miyagi to be his teacher. Miyagi refuses, but agrees to bring Daniel to the Cobra Kai dojo to resolve the conflict. They meet with the sensei, John Kreese, an ex- veteran who callously dismisses the peace offering. Miyagi then proposes that Daniel enter the All-Valley Karate Championships, where he can compete with Johnny and the other Cobra Kai students on equal terms, and requests that the bullying cease while Daniel trains.
Kreese agrees to the terms, but warns that if Daniel does not show up for the tournament, the harassment will resume on Daniel and Miyagi. Daniel's training starts with menial chores that he believes only makes him Miyagi's slave. When he becomes frustrated, Miyagi demonstrates that these actions have helped him to learn defensive blocks through.
Their bond develops and Miyagi opens up to Daniel about his life that includes the dual loss of his wife and son in childbirth at the while he was serving with the during in Europe, where he received the. Miyagi's teaching, Daniel learns not only karate but also important life lessons such as the importance of personal balance, reflected in the principle that martial arts training is as much about training the spirit as the body. Daniel applies the life lessons that Miyagi has taught him to strengthen his relationship with Ali. At the tournament, Daniel surprises everyone by reaching the semi-finals.
Johnny advances to the finals, scoring three unanswered points against a highly skilled opponent. Kreese instructs Bobby Brown, one of his more compassionate students and the least vicious of Daniel's tormentors, to disable Daniel with an illegal attack to the knee. Bobby reluctantly does so, severely injuring Daniel and getting disqualified in the process. Daniel is taken to the locker room, with the physician determining that he can't continue, but Daniel believes that if he does not continue, his tormentors will have gotten the best of him. He convinces Miyagi to use a pain suppression technique to allow him to finish the tournament. As Johnny is about to be declared the winner by default, Ali tells the master of ceremonies that Daniel will fight.
The match is a seesaw battle, as neither is able to break through the other's defenses. The match is halted when Daniel uses a scissor leg technique to trip Johnny, deliver a blow to the back of the head and give Johnny a nose bleed. Kreese directs Johnny to sweep Daniel's injured leg, an unethical move. Johnny looks horrified at the order, but reluctantly agrees under Kreese's intimidation. As the match resumes, Johnny seizes Daniel's leg and delivers a vicious blow, doing further damage. Daniel, standing with difficulty assumes the 'Crane' stance, a technique he observed Mr.
Miyagi performing on the beach. Johnny lunges toward Daniel, who jumps and delivers a front kick to Johnny's chin, winning the tournament. Johnny, having gained newfound respect for his nemesis, takes Daniel's trophy from the Master of Ceremonies and presents it to Daniel himself as Daniel is carried off by the enthusiastic crowd. as. as.
as Ali Mills. as John Kreese. as Lucille LaRusso. as. as Dutch. as Bobby Brown. as Tommy.
as Jimmy. as Freddy Fernandez. as Mr. Mills. as Susan. as Jerry Production Title The production obtained permission from to use ' as the title of their film. Casting According to the special-edition DVD commentary, the studio originally wanted the role of Mr.
Miyagi to be played by, but writer Robert Mark Kamen was opposed to that casting choice feeling that Mifune's interpretation of the character lacked the warmth and humor that the role needed. Was also considered for the role of Mr. Miyagi, but was not available due to prior commitments to film (1984), though he would eventually play a similar role in the film (1992). According to, two days after she was cast, informed her that they intended to replace her with. Said that after seeing Harper's audition they decided not to replace Heller after all. Filming Filming began on October 31, 1983, and wrapped on December 16, 1983.
Music The for The Karate Kid was composed by, a frequent collaborator of director since their initial pairing on (1976). The instrumental score was orchestrated by and featured solos.
On March 12, 2007, released all four Karate Kid scores in a 4-CD box set limited to 2,500 copies worldwide. A soundtrack album was released in 1984 by containing many of the contemporary songs featured in the film. Of particular note is 's ', featured during the tournament near the end of the first film. Originally written for (1982), 'You're the Best' was rejected by in favor of Survivor's hit song '. Coincidentally, Survivor also performed the main theme ('The Moment of Truth' Music & Lyrics: Bill Conti, Dennis Lambert, Peter Beckett) for The Karate Kid. 's 1984 hit song ' also made its U.S.
Debut in The Karate Kid but was excluded from the film's soundtrack album. Other songs featured in the film but left off the album include 'Please Answer Me' performed by Broken Edge and 'The Ride' performed by The Matches. Track listing for 1984 soundtrack. 'The Moment of Truth'. '(Bop Bop) On the Beach' (, ).
'No Shelter' (Broken Edge). 'Young Hearts' (Commuter). '(It Takes) Two to Tango'. 'Tough Love'. 'Rhythm Man' (St. Regis).
'Feel the Night' (Baxter Robertson). 'Desire'. ' Reception Critical response The Karate Kid ranked #40 on 's list of the 50 Best High School Movies. The film received an approval rating of 88% on based on 43 reviews, its consensus reads: 'Utterly predictable and wholly of its time, but warm, sincere, and difficult to resist, due in large part to Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio's relaxed chemistry.'
On its release, called the film one of the year's best, gave it four stars out of four, and described it as an 'exciting, sweet-tempered, heart-warming story with one of the most interesting friendships in a long time.' Of also gave a positive review. Upon release of the 2010 remake, wrote, 'The 1984 original. May have seemed like a standard-issue inspirational sports picture at the time, but (as with another box-office hit of the same year, The Terminator) a generation of remove reveals what a well-crafted movie it actually was.
Rewatched today, the original Kid, directed by Rocky 's John G. Avildsen, feels smart and fresh, with a wealth of small character details and a leisurely middle section that explores the boy's developing respect for his teacher.' Accolades Year Award Category Result 1985 Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Nominated Best Family Motion Picture - Drama Won Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Musical, Comedy, Adventure or Drama - Won Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Musical, Comedy, Adventure or Drama - Nominated Legacy. Main article: The film spawned a franchise of related items and memorabilia such as action figures, head bands, posters, T-shirts,. A novelization was made by B.B. Hiller and published in 1984.
The novel had a scene that was in the rehearsal when Daniel encounters Johnny during school at lunch. Also at the end, there was a battle between Miyagi and Kreese in the parking lot after the tournament which was the original ending for the film and used as the beginning of The Karate Kid Part II.
The film has been credited for popularizing. The music video for the song 'Sweep the Leg' by stars William Zabka (who also directed the video) as a caricature of himself and features references to The Karate Kid, including cameo appearances by Zabka's former Karate Kid co-stars. Kove and Zabka appeared on an episode of as their original characters for. The skit was inspired by made by, where he talked about accomplishing goals through believing in yourself. The skit spoofed the final fight of the movie. At the end of the skit, Daniel Tosh, dressed as Mr. Miyagi, honks Kove's nose, a reference to Mr.
Miyagi's action in the scene at the beginning of The Karate Kid, Part II. Macchio and Zabka made a guest appearance as themselves in the episode '. In the episode, Macchio is invited to 's, leading to Barney shouting that he hates Macchio and that Johnny was the real hero of The Karate Kid. Towards the end of the episode, a clown in the party wipes off his makeup and reveals himself as Zabka. In 2015, toy company released new The Karate Kid action figures as part of their ReAction line. The six-piece line saw two versions of Daniel Larusso, Johnny Lawrence, Mr.
Miyagi, John Kreese and Ali Mills represented in three and a half inch action figure form. The toys were sold via retailers such as. Additionally, Funko has released several The Karate Kid figures within its popular Funko Pop! Sequels and remake The original 1984 film had three sequels, and it launched the career of Macchio, who would turn into a teen idol featured on the covers of magazines such as. It revitalized the acting career of Morita, previously known mostly for his comedic role as Arnold on, who was nominated for a Academy Award for his performance as Mr. Morita reprised his role in three subsequent sequels. (1986): A in which Daniel accompanies Miyagi on a trip back to (Japan), where he is reunited with loved ones, and is challenged by an old adversary.
(1989): A sequel in which Kove reappears as Kreese, seeking revenge on Daniel and Miyagi with the help of allies played. (1994): A revamp sequel in which appears as Mr.
Miyagi's new student, Julie Pierce. (2010): A remake starring.
TV series. Main article: On August 4, 2017, it was announced that a new half-hour TV series was in development to continue the Karate Kid franchise. The series, titled, will reunite and who reprise their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence respectively. The show was set 34 years after the original film, focusing on Johnny who is down on his luck and re-opens the Cobra Kai dojo on his search for redemption. This puts him at odds with Daniel, who, though successful, is trying to find balance in his life without Mr. Josh Heald wrote the script with and while the latter duo directed most of the series, they also executive-produce alongside Macchio and Zabka. The series received an order of 10 episodes for the first season which debuted on in May 2, 2018.
See also. July 2, 1984.
Retrieved June 8, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2013. Retrieved 2018-12-14. Retrieved April 28, 2011. Maslin, Janet. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
The Karate Hid (DVD) format= requires url=. (closing credits).
H Dellamorte. Event occurs at 11:47. Retrieved 4 March 2017. Daily Variety Magazine; November 04, 1983; Page 10. Daily Variety Magazine; December 19, 1983; Page 3. Archived from on 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
Ebert, Roger (January 1, 1984). Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2009-10-07. Maslin, Janet (June 22, 1984). Retrieved 2010-05-21.
Stevens, Dana (June 10, 2010). Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved August 30, 2018. HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION®. Retrieved August 30, 2018. Powell, Larry; Garrett, Tom (20 December 2013).
The Karate Kid 1 Cast
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Micheli (17 November 2010). SAGE Publications. Retrieved 28 December 2017 – via Google Books. Campbell, Christopher (June 6, 2010).
Retrieved December 1, 2016. Zabielski, Scott (2011-03-15), Daniel Tosh, Chris Brown, Martin Kove, retrieved 2018-05-18. Gonzalez, Sandra (April 29, 2013). Retrieved May 12, 2018.
Z.Love's Entertainment Blog. Retrieved 2015-10-10. Thurber, Jon (2005-11-26). The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
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Karate Kid Movie Cast
The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 5, 2017. Romano, Nick (August 4, 2017).
Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 5, 2017. External links Wikiquote has quotations related to:. on. at the. at. at.
The Karate Kid Cast Then And Now – Released in 1984, ‘The Karate Kid’ tells the story of a young Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who moves to California with his mother. After moving he soon finds himself at the mercy of school bullies, thankfully his neighbour Mr. Miyagi is able to help Daniel defend himself though the use of Karate. We take a look at what the cast are up to today, over 30 years since the release of the movie. The Karate Kid Cast Then And Now Ralph Macchio, Daniel LaRusso Then: It was Charlie Sheen who was first offered the part of Daniel LaRusso, which eventually went to Ralph Macchio. Ralph who played a teenager in the movie was actually 22 years old at the time of filming.
Before filming The Karate Kid, Macchio had roles in movies such as ‘The Outsiders’ and ‘Up The Academy’. Now: Ralph Macchio went on to play The Karate Kid in two more squeals and has had a steady acting career ever since.
More recently you may have seen him in Entourage, Ugly Betty, Hitchcock and How I Met Your Mother. Elisabeth Shue, Ali Mills Then: Elisabeth was barely known when she got her lucky break as Ali Mills, the love interest of Daniel LaRusso. Now: Elisabeth didn’t appear in any of The Karate Kid squeals, however, at the end of the 1980’s she got roles in Back To The Future II & III. In the 1990’s she was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in ‘Leaving Las Vegas’. Nowadays she is better known for her part as Julie Finlay in the incredibly popular CSI.
Martin Kove, John Kreese Then: Martin Kove had worked as an actor for over a decade, doing mainly TV movies, before he landed the role of John Kreese. Now: During the 1980’s Martin Kove returned for the two Karate Kid sequels and also had a part in Rambo II. He has worked steadily ever since, generally appearing in horror and action B-movies. William Zabka, Johnny Lawrence Then: William Zabka made his movie debut in The Karate Kid, he played the role of Johnny Lawrence, lead member of the Cobra Kai.
Now: Zabka continues to act today, he’s also known for writing, directing and producing. In 2004 he earned an Academy Award nomination for writing and producing the film ‘Most’. More recently he has appeared as himself in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’.
Ron Thomas, Bobby Brown Then: Ron Thomas got his first major role in ‘The Karate Kid’, he played a prominent member of the Cobra Kai. Now: Thomas retired from acting in 1987, he is a real-life sixth-degree black belt and two-time Karate world champion. Nowadays he spends his time as a motivational speaker, training athletes and businessmen how to increase their “self-mastery”. Chad McQueen, Dutch Then: Chad McQueen is the son of acting legend Steve McQueen, he played the role of Dutch, a member of the Kobra Kai. Now: McQueen had a steady acting career throughout the 80’s and 90’s, but hasn’t done any acting since 2001. He has also had a steady racing career, racing in many different events. In 2010 he started his own custom car company called McQueen Racing LLC. Rob Garrison, Tommy Then: Rob Garrison had worked in a few movies prior to being cast Tommy, a member of the Cobra Kai.
It is probably fair to say he had the greatest line in the entire movie, you will almost certainly remember the line ‘get him a body bag’! Now: Garrison retired from acting in 1991, however he made a return in 2011 with a role in the movie ‘The Pledge’. Randee Heller, Lucille LaRusso Then: Prior to her role as Daniel LaRusso’s mother, Randee Heller played various TV roles. Now: Heller has had a very successful TV career, recently appearing in Desperate Housewives, Modern Family and Mad Men.